Weak Braking on Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator with Ram 2500/3500 Factory Trailer Brake Controller

Updated 07/01/2022 | Published 06/30/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi

(231)

$906.67

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1769)

$279.95

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Adapter Module for Ford and Chevy Brake Controllers

(126)

$252.80

Question:

Hi, I have a 2018 Ram 3500 that’s equipped with the factory EOH capable brake controller. My trailer is a Diamond C with the HYDRASTAR disc brake set up on it. The problem I’m having is my brakes have a delayed response maybe 4-5 seconds to start working then once they are fully on they are weak. My controller is set to heavy EOH and I have my gain at max 10 and they are still very slow to respond and weak. So weak I can’t get the wheels to lock up even with trailer unloaded. I pulled the emergency cable and that applies the brakes but still not very strong as I can still pull the truck forward and the wheels roll instead of skidding. I have bled the brakes and when I apply the brake in the truck the HYDRASTAR pump cycles mild to hard so it’ seems to be working although it seems loud but not sure if that’s normal. Also brake fluid is up to the full level. The trailer is a 2020 and has very few miles on it, under 10,000 miles. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

asked by: Bryan S

Expert Reply:

In regards to weak braking with an electric over hydraulic actuator using the factory trailer brake controller on a Ram 2500/3500, the issue is likely the brake controller. In fact, I ran into this same issue before during an install, the factory Ram controller was set to electric over hydraulic mode but it would still not lock up the brakes. This is common on factory trailer brake controllers because the resistance reading the brake actuator puts out does not get picked up well by the in-cab factory controller so weak braking occurs. The fix for this is an aftermarket brake controller or a hardwired adapter on the trailer. The Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller part # C51180 is plug-in-play and will simply bypass the factory controller signal so there won't be any error codes, just plug and go. The Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Adapter Module part # HBA-CAM will wire in on the trailer and fix the improper resistance readings.

expert reply by: Conner L