Ram Factory Brake Controller

[Wayfarer]

Do the newer 2020 Rams have a better trailer brake controller? I can set up my factory brake controller to the max setting(heavy electric and 10 setting) and am still not able to lock up my 5th wheel wheels. Reading the blogs I know I am not the only one to complain about the trailer brake controller. I have never pulled with a Ford or Chevy/GMC to see how they compare. I can only go by what I read on different blogs where folks say they can lock the wheels on other makes but not the Ram. I am considering getting a newer truck and like the Ram but not if the brake controller is the same as on the older trucks.

I have replaced the brake shoes and adjusted the brakes but no change in braking. It has been like this since the trailer was new. All 4 brakes are working and you can feel the brakes engage when using the brake controller slider on the dash and the instrument panel shows 100% but it barely slows down the truck. Other folks, with Ford or Chevy/GMC, say they have to backoff their settings to prevent lockup.

I have thought about adding disc brakes to the trailer but will probably be getting a toy hauler within the next year.

[Bionic_Man]

I had trouble with my brake controller when I first got it. Turned out it was much more sensitive to the trailer plug than the old truck was.

My 5er never seemed to brake as well as I wanted. Then I had a different trailer repair guy service the axles, and he told me that I needed new wiring for the trailer brakes. Once he did that, they work as I think they should.

And I don't care what others say. That 12" screen is awesome.

[blofgren]

My 2013 Ram works great with my fiver, but my fiver has electric over hydraulic disc brakes.

[Bedlam]

My 2005 Ford brake controller worked better for me than my 2015 Ram controller. I feel it is the programming of the Ram controller at lower speeds not providing sufficient duty cycle and requiring more tow vehicle braking than should be needed to stop. This is most noticed in heavy traffic rather than stops from higher speeds.

[Wayfarer]

Good point on the hard button which I had already thought about. My wife likes the heated seats. I believe on the 12 inch screen you have to use the screen to turn them on/off. My current Ram has hard buttons.

I am waiting on the 2021 GMC and Ford to see what they offer. From what I have read there may not be much change. I did read where GMC might update the technology some. I would like to have wireless Apple Car Play which I have read GMC will have in 2021.

[Wayfarer]

Thanks. I'll take a look at TDR.

Me Again wrote:

nineback wrote:
I have to admit I sure like the interior of the Ram with the 12 inch screen.

Quite a few complaints about issues with the 12 inch etch a sketch on the TDR site. I have the 8.4 without the aux switches, so have many hard buttons to control things without have to concentrate on a screen and scroll around to find something.

[FishOnOne]

Me Again wrote:

nineback wrote:
I have to admit I sure like the interior of the Ram with the 12 inch screen.

Quite a few complaints about issues with the 12 inch etch a sketch on the TDR site. I have the 8.4 without the aux switches, so have many hard buttons to control things without have to concentrate on a screen and scroll around to find something.

I prefer hard buttons vs touch screen bottons on a vehicle.

[Me_Again]

nineback wrote:
I have to admit I sure like the interior of the Ram with the 12 inch screen.

Quite a few complaints about issues with the 12 inch etch a sketch on the TDR site. I have the 8.4 without the aux switches, so have many hard buttons to control things without have to concentrate on a screen and scroll around to find something.

[Wayfarer]

Thanks Jerry. I only wish I could lock mine up. A red light changed on me rather quicky the other day and I had a hard time stopping. I was not traveling fast but felt as though the trailer brakes were not working as well as they should. I could certainly feel the RV pushing the truck. It was a little bit unnerving.

I have checked the connections. I actually redid the connections at the wheels so I think they are good.

It may seem silly but a good brake controller is one of my main considerations when I upgrade my truck to a 2021 model (if they ever come out). I am not brand loyal to any particular truck but am considering a Ford or GMC because of my experience with the Ram IBC. I have to admit I sure like the interior of the Ram with the 12 inch screen.

MFL wrote:
I think many times, it is not the controllers fault, but rather the trailer wiring being too light duty, or bad connections. Having said that, I know the earlier Ram IBC had some issues, and many just changed over to aftermarket. I've used a half dozen different brake controllers, most working quite well. I have to say my Ford IBC is the best by far! My owners manual says set at 6 of 10 to start, adjust from there. At six, grabbing the manual lever at 25 mph, lock the wheels on pavement, even concrete (tires squeal). I set to 5 when lightly loaded, and 5.5 when heavy loaded. The brakes are perfect with truck, at any speed. At lower speed 30-40, I can easily stop truck/trailer, just using the slide bar of IBC only.

I think Ram has improved on their IBC, but I have no personal experience.

Jerry

[Me_Again]

When I towed our 16K 5th wheel at a combined 24,500 I found that even with drum brakes that set the controller to Heavy Electric over Hydraulic worked better. Post 2013 or so RAM made a change to the controller. It lessens the brake output when one gets down to slower speeds(like under 20 or so). Many have complained about this. Braking is controlled by pulse width modulation to the trailer. People had graphs of the signal output to the trailer.

Hopefully RAM has fixed this, as I no longer see many post about it.

Mine is a 2015 3500 SRW 4x4 CTD.

I had a MAX Brake controller in my 2001.5 RAM for last 8 or 10 years that was the best made at the time. I let it go with the truck and should have kept it. Brakesmart was also a great control. Both are gone.

Chris

[MFL]

I think many times, it is not the controllers fault, but rather the trailer wiring being too light duty, or bad connections. Having said that, I know the earlier Ram IBC had some issues, and many just changed over to aftermarket. I've used a half dozen different brake controllers, most working quite well. I have to say my Ford IBC is the best by far! My owners manual says set at 6 of 10 to start, adjust from there. At six, grabbing the manual lever at 25 mph, lock the wheels on pavement, even concrete (tires squeal). I set to 5 when lightly loaded, and 5.5 when heavy loaded. The brakes are perfect with truck, at any speed. At lower speed 30-40, I can easily stop truck/trailer, just using the slide bar of IBC only.

I think Ram has improved on their IBC, but I have no personal experience.

Jerry

[Sjm9911]

Yup there to heavy to lock up. They usally say to like warm them up , the breaks, then lock them up at a low speed and back them off some. If they engage and slow you a bit, you should feel it a slight tug ( not sure on the 5th wheels) then your good.

[CaLBaR]

I have a 2019 RAM 3500 and can lock up the brakes on my Reflection on light electric. Gain is not all the way up either. Can't say if the brake controller is different than previous generation of brake controller but I am happy with mine.

Rob

[RobWNY]

I never was able to lock the brakes up on my 8,500 pound TT, my 10,000 pound Fifth Wheel and certainly wouldn't be able to on my 13,500 pound fifth wheel. I pulled the TT with a Ford and then a Chevy and the 10,000 pound fifth wheel with a Ram. The others are right. Once you get over a certain weight, they won't lock up but will help stop you. I set my gain based on how it feels when at highway speed and keep it where I don't feel like either the truck brakes or trailer brakes are doing more work, meaning no push or pull. Wherever they feel like they are working in unison with each other is where you want the gain set to. I wait until I have an area of highway where there are no other vehicles around and then get on the brakes good. I do this however many times I need to until I have the adjustment where I want it. I do it this way because at slow speeds, the truck brakes alone would stop me but at highway speeds you need the extra braking. Keep in mind that if you are going very slow and need to stop, it will feel a little grabby but that's normal. I have never understood why so many people try to set their gain in a parking lot where you get to may 20-25mph. I want to set it at the speed where I would need the braking the most and where there would be the most forward momentum.

[Wayfarer]

Understand but most instructions tell you to adjust the controller until the brakes lock up then back off the setting. My point being is people are capable of locking the wheels while I and other Ram owners can not. I have my controller maxed out and do not feel like I am getting adequate braking.

Sjm9911 wrote:
Breaks shouldn't lock up on the trailor. Think about it, your driving and lock the breaks at say 50 mph. Your tv would go out of control. They are ment to slow the trailor not stop the TV.