Factory trailer brake controller - can it work automatically below 15 mph?

[MudSticker19]

TTT.... I’m interested in this resolution.

 

[blakei]

I’m also experiencing this. Feels like trailer brakes stop working around 10-15 mph. Definitely unnerving when pulling up behind traffic. I’ve learned to anticipate it and just get into the brakes harder as I slow down.

I’m towing ~8000 lbs and have controller set to Heavy Electric with gain at 5.5. Can’t make the trailer brakes lock up even at gain 10. However, I get enough “grab” that the truck jerks and I don’t want more.

Definitely interested to know if this is normal or can be changed.


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[Smon]

Any news on this? I can't get anything more than a light drag below 15 mph no matter the setting. My 2016 did not have this issue so I don't believe its just the "type" of brake controller.

 

[512Ram]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn with the factory brake controller. I have about 10k miles, with about 1k miles towing a 6000 lb travel trailer. On the way back from our last trip, it started getting this same surge or lurch right at 15mph as many of you in this thread.

I did notice it corresponds to the truck down shifting into 1st gear, so I don't know if that's part of it, or just coincidence. I may be hypersensitive to the issue now, but I want to say there's a small surge when down shifting into first and not towing...

I have a call into my dealership to schedule a visit, but I know it's not normal as it just started after 5 camping trips. I'll update when I know more!

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Bighorn with the factory brake controller. I have about 10k miles, with about 1k miles towing a 6000 lb travel trailer. On the way back from our last trip, it started getting this same surge or lurch right at 15mph as many of you in this thread.

I did notice it corresponds to the truck down shifting into 1st gear, so I don't know if that's part of it, or just coincidence. I may be hypersensitive to the issue now, but I want to say there's a small surge when down shifting into first and not towing...

I have a call into my dealership to schedule a visit, but I know it's not normal as it just started after 5 camping trips. I'll update when I know more!

Hi @512Ram - If you would be interested in having the additional support of a case specialist who can work alongside your dealer while your truck is in service, please do not hesitate to follow up with us via private message!

Mark
RamCares

 

[Smon]

I was told my someone that these trucks have a "smarter" controller than the previous gen. It takes into account speed, etc. in order to send power to the brakes. That is why the manual override does almost nothing below 15 mph.

That still doesn't make sense to me given its a manual override, but i'm sure every dealership will say that it's normal - even if they don't know.

 

[Mikeplogan]

Has anyone gone to the dealer for this issue? Any resolution?

 

[maddog49]

Is this fixed?

 

[cj7]

Has anyone gotten FCA to confirm it is a problem? Or that there is a software update for it?

 

[bones2oo21]

I took my 2020 ram in last year for this issue right after I purchased it. Had a tech ride along while pulling 6k load they observed the issues took it in and said the issue was in the programing they couldn't change. The dealer stated they would send this issue to ram after I referenced this thread and I have yet to hear anything further. Hopefully they fix this before it causes an accident I could see some one towing rear ending some one at a stop because the trailer brakes went from working to 0. @RamCares

 

[Dragonmaster13]

Any difference if you select heavy electric vs light electric?


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[RegularRam]

I was told my someone that these trucks have a "smarter" controller than the previous gen. It takes into account speed, etc. in order to send power to the brakes. That is why the manual override does almost nothing below 15 mph.

That still doesn't make sense to me given its a manual override, but i'm sure every dealership will say that it's normal - even if they don't know.

I have to negotiate a steep down hill hard turn to the left on gravel with my 3.4 tonne boat. The new Laramie is ordered with the tow package. Atm I use a old landrover 130 defender, the break controller allows me to touch the break peddle and use the trailer breaks to allow a controlled turn down the drive without jack knifing the rig . I have to creep down in first gear.
With the laramie being an auto and no compression breaking this is a going to be problem for me if true. I guess the remedy is a normal off the shelf break controller or manipulate the manual slide and drive the vehicle one handed. How do others manage steep slow declines with heavy trailers attached.

 

[bones2oo21]

Any difference if you select heavy electric vs light electric?


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Me and the tech tried all the different brake styles with all the same result.

 

[bones2oo21]

I have to negotiate a steep down hill hard turn to the left on gravel with my 3.4 tonne boat. The new Laramie is ordered with the tow package. Atm I use a old landrover 130 defender, the break controller allows me to touch the break peddle and use the trailer breaks to allow a controlled turn down the drive without jack knifing the rig . I have to creep down in first gear.
With the laramie being an auto and no compression breaking this is a going to be problem for me if true. I guess the remedy is a normal off the shelf break controller or manipulate the manual slide and drive the vehicle one handed. How do others manage steep slow declines with heavy trailers attached.

My uncle purchased a 2019 classic without a oem brake controller. I had an older P3 prodigy brake controller from another truck I bought the harness so it was plug n play in his truck and his truck does not have any issues while pulling/stoping the same trailers that I do.

 

[RamCares]

I took my 2020 ram in last year for this issue right after I purchased it. Had a tech ride along while pulling 6k load they observed the issues took it in and said the issue was in the programing they couldn't change. The dealer stated they would send this issue to ram after I referenced this thread and I have yet to hear anything further. Hopefully they fix this before it causes an accident I could see some one towing rear ending some one at a stop because the trailer brakes went from working to 0. @RamCares

Hi bones2oo21,
We’re very sorry to hear this. Please follow up with us via Private Message at your earliest convenience so we can have this looked into further for you.
Rob
Ram Cares

 

[cj7]

I was told my someone that these trucks have a "smarter" controller than the previous gen. It takes into account speed, etc. in order to send power to the brakes. That is why the manual override does almost nothing below 15 mph.

That still doesn't make sense to me given its a manual override, but i'm sure every dealership will say that it's normal - even if they don't know.

My manual override works fine below 15 mph. The problem is that the brake controller let’s up on the trailer brakes when slowing to below 15mph. When slowing down to 15mph, there’s a lurch when the brake controller gives up, and from 14mph down to zero, the trailer brakes aren’t engaged unless you use the manual slider....

 

[Will_T]

Just to make sure I am understanding this correctly. When you all are slowing down your trailer and truck brakes are working together as they should to slow you down. Then when you get slowed to 15mph, the trailer brakes cut out and the truck and trailer surges forward? This can not be normal. It would be a real safety danger and a liability for Ram if a rear ending accident happened because of this. I don't have my truck yet so I have no way to test this, but it sure sounds concerning and dangerous.

 

[cj7]

Just to make sure I am understanding this correctly. When you all are slowing down your trailer and truck brakes are working together as they should to slow you down. Then when you get slowed to 15mph, the trailer brakes cut out and the truck and trailer surges forward? This can not be normal. It would be a real safety danger and a liability for Ram if a rear ending accident happened because of this. I don't have my truck yet so I have no way to test this, but it sure sounds concerning and dangerous.

So there’s no surge forward, but you can feel the change. Also, we don’t know the trailer brakes are fully disengaged, but it does feel like there’s a significant release of the trailer brakes. At 15mph, the rig stops just fine, just a little disconcerting....

Next time I tow, I’ll record the trailer brake circuit waveform, and see what’s really going on.

 

[512Ram]

Any update on this? My truck is still doing this after I had the controller replaced last year. I've basically just been dealing with it, but we got a bigger trailer, and I really don't want to just "deal" with it! This seems like an issue that someone at ram should really take a look at!

 

[cj7]

Any update on this? My truck is still doing this after I had the controller replaced last year. I've basically just been dealing with it, but we got a bigger trailer, and I really don't want to just "deal" with it! This seems like an issue that someone at ram should really take a look at!

Glad you reminded me - didn’t hookup the silly-scope on our 4th of July trip, and forgot when rushing to the grandparents, but will next outing, I promise!