Forum Discussion

Jim2007's avatar
Jim2007
Explorer
May 13, 2016

Need to adjust trailer brakes on 2016 Dodge 2500

Hi All: New Dodge 2500 diesel which has a factory installed trailer brake controller. I tow a 5th wheel ultra light 26 feet which probably is about 10,000 lbs. ready to camp. What setting do i use on the controller? When I hook it up it shows "light trailer" and the range of setting go from 1 to 10. I set it at 5 which is in the middle. How do I check to determine if this is the correct setting?
The operator book do not give much detail? Thanks for the help. Jim2007
Tow Vehicles
  • Billzo's avatar
    Billzo
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    mkirsch wrote:
    Gain is gain.

    Light trailer vs. heavy trailer just determines how much initial voltage is sent to the brakes when you first touch the pedal.

    Maximum braking force is not changed, so you may not notice a difference depending on how aggressively you brake.


    Initial force went stronger with my switch to Heavy, but max force is also definitely different.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    May 13, 2016
    Gain is gain.

    Light trailer vs. heavy trailer just determines how much initial voltage is sent to the brakes when you first touch the pedal.

    Maximum braking force is not changed, so you may not notice a difference depending on how aggressively you brake.
  • minnow's avatar
    minnow
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    And be aware that some Ram IBC's are not correctly working. Regardless of the setting, the IBC is not sending enough voltage to the trailer brakes. Ram is aware of the issue but no fix yet. Some have resorted to installing an aftermarket controller that solves the problem.
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    Assuming that's a new 2016 Ram, the manual (p705-706) has pretty complete directions as how to set the trailer brake gain. In short: get up to 20-25mph on level dry surface and manually activate the brakes. If they lock up, reduce the gain; if not, increase gain until they do, then back off until the don't.

    Use Light Trailer setting for anything under 10,000#.
  • Rotzilla's avatar
    Rotzilla
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    I had the dealer switch mine to heavy electric cause I couldn't figure it out, and it made absolutely no difference that I could feel or measure by the gain on the controller.
  • ThomasFour's avatar
    ThomasFour
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    The owners manual in my GMC has a full section on use of the brake controller and how to properly adjust.
  • Billzo's avatar
    Billzo
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    You may find the directions for changing to Heavy Electric confusing, I sure did. They sounded like it was done via the EVIC, but it's actually in the Settings section of the radio's controls.
  • Relheok's avatar
    Relheok
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    Switch it to heavy trailer and then set gain. I have mine set to 7.5 or 8 usually...
  • netaq's avatar
    netaq
    Explorer
    May 13, 2016
    We have similar trucks.

    I use heavy tow on 5-7.

    I set it by releasing truck brakes while in a slow roll in drive and hit the manual brake switch. I want the trailer brakes to just stop the truck.

    Any more and the trailer jerks like crazy.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 21, 2025