can brake controller be put on new TV? Is OEM unit better?

KD4UPL wrote:
My only experience with factory controllers is with Chevy. It was way smoother and easier to set up than any aftermarket one I've ever used. There's no way I would get a new truck for towing and not get the built in factory brake control. It's just so smooth and well integrated with the truck's brakes.
As for the tow package, I don't understand why anyone buying a truck to tow wouldn't get every last tow related package available. Your paying what, $40,000 at least for the truck and an extra $1,000 is a big problem to get some features you need anyway? I don't see the logic.

And if the extra $1K is an issue, give up stuff like heated cup holders or what ever.
There's no better time to get the good hardware than when buying new.

My only experience with factory controllers is with Chevy. It was way smoother and easier to set up than any aftermarket one I've ever used. There's no way I would get a new truck for towing and not get the built in factory brake control. It's just so smooth and well integrated with the truck's brakes.
As for the tow package, I don't understand why anyone buying a truck to tow wouldn't get every last tow related package available. Your paying what, $40,000 at least for the truck and an extra $1,000 is a big problem to get some features you need anyway? I don't see the logic.

aftermath wrote:
I will try to answer your questions.

First, yes you can move your old controller to your new TV. I did just that not long ago.

Secondly, using the integrated brake controller that comes with most new trucks today really makes things easier provided that it is a good controller. You will not have your old one sitting below the dash somewhere where it usually hits your knee.

All that said, I recently purchased a new Tundra and it came with an integrated controller. I hooked it up and quickly found that I didn’t like it. I could not get it “dialed in” and either my trailer brakes were locking up or appeared not to be working very well. I have towed my current trailer over 45,000 miles and it wasn’t responding the way it had when using my Prodigy 2. I asked and found out the Toyota, while making a great truck, was putting a timed controller in instead of a proportional controller like most of the other companies were using. I found an accessory that allowed me to move my old controller to my new Tundra and I was able to mount in it the dash. Things are good once again.

So, yes you can use your old controller. The integrated ones are much more convenient and very easy to use. Just make sure it is a proportional controller. Toyota never answered my direct question but did say that they used “solid state” controllers. As far as I know, that just means that it was a timed, not proportional, controller.

That's rather disapointing of Toyota. To use a proportional controller means to me that they have no experience towing at all and don't take it very seriously.
BTW, "solid state" just means there arent any tubes in it. :S

Having hauled for a living and used lots of different brands of electric brake controllers I have to say the brake controller on the wifes 2016 1500 chevy sure works slick. I'm sure any of the big three IB systems work great also

My 2010 F150 Ford Truck came with tow package which included the OEM BRAKE CONTROLLER.. This all worked just fine for my 2008 Starcraft 14/RT trailer.

It did do one thing that I did not like since the new brake controller is very integrated with the truck systems. This removes the brake voltage when you are going less than 10 MPH... The part that bothers me was I can not hold my TRAILER BRAKES ON at a stop sign with an slight ingrade by just pushing in on the truck brake pedal. This is a no issue as I can reach down with my hand and squeeze the BRAKE LEVERs to hold the trailer in position...

I just wasn't expecting this feature and made me do all kinds of investigation on my possible OEM BRAKE System failure. Finally after taking it back to the Ford Dealer to complain about it not working stopped I was told that was all normal

Other than that feature my OEM BRAKE CONTROLER does just fine...

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Roy Ken

Ralph Cramden wrote:

trailernovice wrote:
Chevy seems to have the 'tow package' with Class 4 hitch, hitch light, and 7-pine hookup...and then the 'Super Extra' tow package which the trans cooler and integrated brake controller...I'll never go bigger than our current TT (this is our third 25-foot TT with this bunkhouse configuration), so well within capacity of a 'normal' half ton...trying to figure out if the extra money for the 'super terrific' tow package is worth it just to get the integrated controller

I don't know why you would not want to drop $1100 for

Increased towing and GCWR rating
Automatic locking rear differential
Handling/Trailering1 Suspension Package
Enhanced cooling radiator
Revised shock tuning
Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR
9.76" rear axle
3.42 axle ratio
Trailer brake controller
Trailering Equipment

I would spend that just for locking 9.76 rear and the higher axle ratings / heavier springs. The integrated controller is like a bonus in that package. Its sort of a bargain actually.

All those items would be a bargain for that money.

Just FYI, the integrated controller has worked flawlessly in my last 2 Chevys (2011 & 2016). Smoother than the Tekonsha that I had on previous trucks.

I'll add one more consideration. Yes, you can just move a brake controller from one vehicle to another. But one of the advantages to the built-in one is that it will be well and carefully integrated into the the increasingly complex network of computers that are to be found in modern vehicles. This has ramifications for other vehicle sub-systems. Let me give you an example from my 2012 BMW X5.

This vehicle has 27 computers scattered around. The official controller and wiring harness simply plugs into the existing harness (in the right rear fender well, NOT under the dashboard) and is highly recommended, as "things just work." The official controller is simply a Prodigy P2. If you go down to the RV store and buy a P2, then use the generic harness also available there, suddenly you find the warning system that is built into the BMW to tell you when you have a brake, turn signal, or other bulb blown goes haywire. Strange faults start bringing up spurious CEL and throwing codes. Many people have turned up on the BMW forum I frequent, having gone the cheap-at-the-RV-dealer route, now seeking help. The fix is easy: ditch the generic harness and buy the real deal, then follow the installation instructions.

BMWs may be more complex this way than Ford or Chevy or Ram trucks. But I wouldn't bet on it. What it boils down to is your choice, pick one, either simple and problem free OR cheap and troubled. Your call.

I will try to answer your questions.

First, yes you can move your old controller to your new TV. I did just that not long ago.

Secondly, using the integrated brake controller that comes with most new trucks today really makes things easier provided that it is a good controller. You will not have your old one sitting below the dash somewhere where it usually hits your knee.

All that said, I recently purchased a new Tundra and it came with an integrated controller. I hooked it up and quickly found that I didn’t like it. I could not get it “dialed in” and either my trailer brakes were locking up or appeared not to be working very well. I have towed my current trailer over 45,000 miles and it wasn’t responding the way it had when using my Prodigy 2. I asked and found out the Toyota, while making a great truck, was putting a timed controller in instead of a proportional controller like most of the other companies were using. I found an accessory that allowed me to move my old controller to my new Tundra and I was able to mount in it the dash. Things are good once again.

So, yes you can use your old controller. The integrated ones are much more convenient and very easy to use. Just make sure it is a proportional controller. Toyota never answered my direct question but did say that they used “solid state” controllers. As far as I know, that just means that it was a timed, not proportional, controller.

trailernovice wrote:
Chevy seems to have the 'tow package' with Class 4 hitch, hitch light, and 7-pine hookup...and then the 'Super Extra' tow package which the trans cooler and integrated brake controller...I'll never go bigger than our current TT (this is our third 25-foot TT with this bunkhouse configuration), so well within capacity of a 'normal' half ton...trying to figure out if the extra money for the 'super terrific' tow package is worth it just to get the integrated controller

I don't know why you would not want to drop $1100 for

Increased towing and GCWR rating
Automatic locking rear differential
Handling/Trailering1 Suspension Package
Enhanced cooling radiator
Revised shock tuning
Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR
9.76" rear axle
3.42 axle ratio
Trailer brake controller
Trailering Equipment

I would spend that just for locking 9.76 rear and the higher axle ratings / heavier springs. The integrated controller is like a bonus in that package. Its sort of a bargain actually.