Dodge Ram Integrated Brake Controller

[Bayley]

I have a 2013 Ram 2500 with the IBC. I'm having trouble setting the gain on the unit. I followed the set up instructions, including using the hand activated knobs to try to get the trailer brakes to lock up at 20-25 mph but they won't lock up even on the highest setting of 10.
I think there is supposed to a "light electric" and "heavy electric" setting but I can only find the "light electric" in the EVIC.
Has anyone had this issue or know of anything else I can try.
I do get some trailer brakes when I use it but I want to get it set as tight as it should be to give me maximum braking.
Any advise is appreciated!!

[Pineapple_Kid]

I also have a 2013 2500 CTD Ram, I do not have U connect but I do have the light and heavy settings and get to them by scrolling through the settings.

( U connect or Sirius is not available in Hawaii and I didn't want to buy it in case I bring the truck over here someday )

Aloha Leon

[jus2shy]

ohiopicker wrote:
My 2013 Ram 2500 diesel has only the "Light Electric" setting, despite what the owner's manual says. I put new brakes on the fiver last fall, but haven't had the opportunity to see if they'll now lock up with near-maximum controller settings.

You should have multiple settings, again, don't look through your EVIC, look through your radio if you have UConnect 5.0 or 8.4.

[Bayley]

ohiopicker,
Did you try going through the UConnect interface that was suggested to me? I think you have the settings if you have a 2013.

[ohiopicker]

My 2013 Ram 2500 diesel has only the "Light Electric" setting, despite what the owner's manual says. I put new brakes on the fiver last fall, but haven't had the opportunity to see if they'll now lock up with near-maximum controller settings.

[Bayley]

I haven't had a chance to try the "heavy electric" setting yet but can anyone tell me their successes between "light electric" and "heavy electric"? Did it make a big difference?

[Bayley]

Thank you very much!!!! I also have the UConnect 5.0 and I found the "heavy electric" setting. All is good!!
Thanks again for the information!!

[jus2shy]

OP, don't go through the EVIC, go through your UConnect interface. I can vouch for the Uconnect 5.0 system as having the different trailer settings. KC81C already vouched for the 8.4.

[kc81c]

I have a 13 2500 and have the heavy and light settings. To get to it on mine you go into the 8.4an radio under u-apps, then settings, the scroll down to trailer brake. Pick one of the 4 trailer hit the right arrow select use this trailer. Then the option for braking will be available and you can set heavy or light or hydraulic. Hope that helps without the 8.4 screen I'm not sure how you change it.

[Cummins12V98]

Bayley wrote:
Thanks for the input. My trailer is a little over 12K and the trailer brakes will stop the trailer but they just won't lock up when I try to adjust the controller as the truck manual suggests. I'm going to call Northwood the manufacturer of the trailer and talk to them about the trailer brakes.
Also.....I'm beginning to think the Ram 2500 does not have the controller with the "heavy electric" setting, although the manual reads like it does. I've scrolled through everything and can't find it. I guess I'll call Ram too.

Maybe I missed it but what year is your truck?

If it is a 12 or newer it has a fully adjustable controller.

[goducks10]

I could never get my 12 2500 TBC to work. Took it to the dealer with under 1000 miles on it. They ran some tests with a special tool that plugs into the trucks plug at the rear of the truck. They found the OEM was bad. Replaced it with a new one. No diff. I could never get the brakes to lock up doing the 20-25 mph tests. Also when coming to a stop the TBC wouldn't let go of the brakes.

5'er is only 9000lbs but has 12"x2" brakes, so plenty of pad to stop the 5'er. I tried both settings (heavy-light) and neither made any difference. I also tried setting the gain from 0-10 and no difference again. I ended up getting a Primus EQ. It works 10x better. I have the gain set to around 5.5 and the boost on #2. What I did notice is when setting the boost (1-4) on #3 that I had the same problem as the OEM in that when coming to a stop it won't release the brakes smoothly.
I have also towed a TT before we go the 5'er that had 10,000 miles on it. Had the brakes adjusted and got the same jerky stopping issue. The 5'er was brand new and had the same prob. IMO it's a******shoot on the controllers. After spending a couple years on the Ram diesel forum it seems as though most get a good controller, but some are junk.

I would take the truck to the dealer and have them preform the same test I did just to make sure everything works right.

[Bayley]

Thanks for the input. My trailer is a little over 12K and the trailer brakes will stop the trailer but they just won't lock up when I try to adjust the controller as the truck manual suggests. I'm going to call Northwood the manufacturer of the trailer and talk to them about the trailer brakes.
Also.....I'm beginning to think the Ram 2500 does not have the controller with the "heavy electric" setting, although the manual reads like it does. I've scrolled through everything and can't find it. I guess I'll call Ram too.

[Cummins12V98]

The RAM factory brake controller is marginal thru 2011 MY. The 12 and newer are great controllers with heavy/light electric and heavy/light hydraulic settings.

I changed to a MaxBrake on my 11.

[jnharley]

We have a 2012 Dodge dually and have ours set on heavy electric and the brake controller on 3.0. We also have hydraulic brakes on the 5th wheel. Our RV weighs around 17k lbs.

[PmsPks]

I have a 2012 Ram 3500 and I have mine set to "Heavy Electric". Just scroll through the settings to find it. I'm sure it is there. The difference between Light and Heavy is not huge, but there is a difference.