Solution for Using 2012 Ram 4500 with Factory Brake Controller on Both EOH and Electric Drum Brakes

Updated 02/20/2014 | Published 02/18/2014

Products Featured in This Question

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

(243)

$951.13

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

(130)

$273.20

Question:

Hello, I have a 2012 Ram 4500 with the integrated brake controller. My new PJ dump trailer has EOH disc brakes and a Hydrastar HBA-16 actuator made by Cargo towing solutions. My trailer brakes have a 5-7 second delay before applying, even with the slide bar. I bled the trailer brakes and still have this issue. Is there a controller I can plug directly into my truck to fix this issue? With an aftermarket controller will I get error messages from my truck? I also need this to work with regular electric drum brakes like my other trailer have. Thanks so much for the help!!!

asked by: Jordan M

Expert Reply:

Some of the Dodge factory ITBMs (Integrated Trailer Brake Module) are not to be used with electric over hydraulic trailer brake systems; they are to be used with electric trailer brakes only. The linked article covers this circumstance in some further detail.

In some cases the slow response time could be caused by a need to re-bleed both the trailer brakes and the actuator. If trailer wiring is too small in gauge this too can cause a response delay; the same applies to the brake lines themselves if they are too small or too long for the hydraulic fluid delivery asked of them.

Your best option is to replace the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Module (ITBM) with an aftermarket unit such as the Tekonsha P2, part # 90885. To do this you will need to disconnect the factory ITBM and install the P2 as per the manufacturers standard instructions (which are attached for your reference along with an install video on a Ram 3500).

This will result in an error message on your instrument cluster, but Ram customer service can provide you with the code your dealer can use to reconfigure the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) which will clear the XHC error message.

expert reply by: Adam R