Hey guys, recently traded in My 2010 Ram for a 2014 Ram. It has the tow package, but not the stock brake controller. The unit I had in my 2010 Ram (Husky Controller) will not fit in the 2014. They changed the plug set up and I am not sure I can wire this new plug style to my old 4 wire controller.My question is, should I just get an aftermarket Tekonsha with the correct plug, or go with ordering the stock one from Dodge? Anybody have experience with the stock one?I suspect pricing will end up the same, so it's just performance and looks comparison, the stock is small and looks nicer in the dash, plus you get the on screen display on the dash EVIC.

I know with the Ford the brake controller talks well with the ABS braking system. In the F-150's there is a rear anti-sway detector, and it can apply the trailer brakes when there is side to side push from the trailer due to wind or passing trucks. So the factory one is well integrated in the Fords. Not sure about the Dodge products, but my guess is that it will work better.Good luck,Fred.

OEM integrated is better than almost all aftermarket brake controllers. They use the master cylinder pressure instead of inertia sensors.

Your Husky will work fine with the new truck, it just needs a different connector attached. The new truck will come with a pig-tail to facilitate this. As far as the built in controller, I've read conflicting reports of how well the Ram unit works. Maybe somebody with a new one can comment further.

This is my first truck with a integrated control, 14 3500 SRW 6.4. I had a Tekonsha in my last two trucks. I will definitely make sure my next truck has the integrated controller. I like it that much.

I assume the integrated one in the 1500 would work the same as the 3500. My 2012 and now my 2014 both have the controller. I know there were some complaints in earlier models In 2012 they upgraded the unit and it really works well. What is really nice is it has a setting for light and heavy electric and also for electric over hydraulic. If you tow different trailers you can have different brake setting and switch when you want. If you had say a tt and a cargo trailer. I have used aftermarket controllers in other trucks and they do not compare to the integrated ones.

Stock brake controller or after market in 2014 Ram

19 Replies

bigcitypopo
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2014
Get the factory controller!!!!!!
kodiakcanuck
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
Thanks for the input guys. Looks like the factory one wins, cost might be a bit more with the dealer install to flash the computer, but worth it for location, looks and functionality! :B
BenK
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
Yup...most folks install theirs in front of where their knees would
strike

Cousin was a Sargent in the Highway Patrol. One of the first things he
taught new recruits was to both: look for sheared off noses (visor down
but facing rearward to guillotine off the nose) and if they slide
forward and underneath the dash board's lower edge.

Other was to NOT walk between cars (back when the standard was bumper
shocks...that compressed to stay 'stuck' there) because your legs/knees
can be cut off by their bumpers

The only way to get their knees out was to cut open the dash.

Why today's dashboards lower edge is WAY down below the knee area
and has rounded indentations for the knees to hit, but not slide under

Folks who install after market trailer brake controllers there...risk
having that controller impale their knee area

dshelley wrote:
I failed to mention in my previous post another reason for choosing the factory brake controller. The Ram tucks do not provide a convenient location so the place most of us use is above the accelerator which is right in front of the right knee. A front collision may very well guarantee an unwanted injury. This in addition to appearance was my biggest reason to prefer the factory unit.
BenK
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
Personal opinion...MC PSI based isn't going to initiate trailer braking, unless
they too have brake pedal switch sensed (GM's is the best pedal switch)

On my setup (P3), can turn on the trailer brakes with just a touch of the brake
pedal...*BUT*...never develop any MC PSI...therefore the OEM's integrated controller
will NOT tell the trailer brakes to initiate

Boost setting tells how much initial braking for *JUST* the trailer brakes...then
the inertia sensor will then take over...to continue to tell the trailer brakes
to *BRAKE*...all the while my TV's MC HAS NOT developed any PSI

I can stop the whole setup without EVER developing TV MC PSI...therefore never
have the TV's brakes come on

Does anyone know if any/all of the OEM's integrated trailer brake controllers
also have pedal switch sense?
dshelley
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
I failed to mention in my previous post another reason for choosing the factory brake controller. The Ram tucks do not provide a convenient location so the place most of us use is above the accelerator which is right in front of the right knee. A front collision may very well guarantee an unwanted injury. This in addition to appearance was my biggest reason to prefer the factory unit.
dshelley
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
I installed the aftermarket Tekonsha P3 on my 2013 Ram Express. I installed it myself using the proper (optional) cable. It did not require a dealer flash. It worked fine and operated like other Tekonsha controllers. I traded the Express for my 14 Ram Bighorn, but it had no controller. I bought the parts from a Mopar online store and had the dealer install them and perform the flash. It works better, is easier to set the braking power and gives me trailer braking power indication on the instrument panel. I don't remember the total cost, couple hundred for the parts and couple hundred for install. It came with some easy to read instructions but I was feeling kinda lazy that day. Believe me, if you are looking for a recommendation, the factory setup is much better and absolutely worth the cost.
ib516
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2014
Go with the factory design. Far superior to aftermarket controllers based on my experience.
mbopp
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
Factory only?
I don't know about Dodge, but on the F150 you can buy the factory controller. But you need a dealer to re-flash the computer to recognize the controller. A few will do it gratis but most seem to charge 1/2-hour labor.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2014
It can be installed, just need the components and a flash.
Hiking_Hunter
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
I have a friend who just had a "factory" controller installed in his 2012 RAM. He considered a Tekonsha, but later decided on the built in controller. He saw those on EBay, along with videos online to show how to install it, but these are incomplete because they do not include a way to reprogram the vehicle computer. That still has to be done by a dealer. So, he decided to just have a dealer do the installation and reprogramming. The cost was $400. He called several dealers and found widely varying prices, so shop around.