Factory GM Brake Controllers

ktmrfs wrote:
my 2015 gmc factory unit performs way better than my prodigy ever did on my 04 GMC.

Ditto. I have the ITBC on my 09 Silverado. It is far better than the aftermarket "intertia" type brake controller.

The benefit of the ITBC is it applies the trailer brakes in complete unison with the truck brakes. There's no delay. With an inertia based controller, there is a very slight delay. The heavier the trailer, the more likely you are to notice it the delay.

The heavier the trailer, the more beneficial an ITBC is.

There used to be several "smart" brake controllers that pre-dated the ITBC of today. They were the Jordan and BrakeSmart. Later there was the Masterbrake.

I had a BrakeSmart in my 2002 2500HD. It was far superior to the intertia controller it replaced, because like an ITBC, it sensed hydraulic pressure and applied trailer brakes in complete unison with truck brakes. I kick myself for not removing the pressure transducer from the truck when I traded it it. I'd love to still use the BrakeSmart on my other tow rig.

deltabravo wrote:


I had a BrakeSmart in my 2002 2500HD. It was far superior to the intertia controller it replaced, because like an ITBC, it sensed hydraulic pressure and applied trailer brakes in complete unison with truck brakes. I kick myself for not removing the pressure transducer from the truck when I traded it it. I'd love to still use the BrakeSmart on my other tow rig.

I removed my Brakesmart when I traded. It is still on a shelf in the garage and I will keep it just in case it is ever needed. Nothing else even comes close.

You can buy a transducer from an industrial supplier. If you want, I'll get the numbers off of mine.

Repeat below the images showing how MC PSI is developed over time, over brake pedal stroke

Unless trailer brake controller also an inertia (accelerometer), the trailer brakes will NOT be turned on as soon as my P3 will

Because my P3 is turned on with the brake pedal light switch and is before the MC ever develops any PSI

Meaning my trailer brakes will have power sent to it before any MC PSI based controller will. Makes no matter highly integrated or after market

Add that there are both min PSI before it will trip and hysteresis in most of the PSI sensors I've ever reviewed and used in my brake designs. Wonder what these Highly Integrated trailer brake systems have as their min PSI trip and what their hysteresis is (hysteresis is the incline of ramp both in turning on and turning off)

For those who do not know HOW2 read these two graphs...the vertical axis is the amount of PSI being developed by the MC and the horizontal axis is the brake pedal to MC piston stroke (one in distance...other in time)

Sensing brake pedal light switch will have it switch on BEFORE it ever touches the MC piston on my setup and is the way GM has designed its brake light switch.

This is how my P3 leads the trailer brakes BEFORE any MC PSI sensed system. Even the newest one which sense vehicle network information...unless that too has an accelerometer and also senses brake pedal light switch

Bottom line is you, the individual decide which is best for you, or that you like best. I'm just defending with actual information for those on the fence looking for information for their decision

BenK wrote:

snip...


Here are a couple curves showing graphically what am talking about


Rod stroke vs wheel brake PSI...this curve shows the brake pedal to MC rod travel distance vs PSI developed


Brake system PSI over time or vs TV brake pedal stroke

Pascal's Law (hydraulic pressure ratio) showing why the MC piston stroke must be much longer before the brake caliper/cylinder even moves enough to press the friction material hard enough onto the cast iron to create braking friction