Has anyone added a trailer brake controller to a 2025 yet?

[johnnyf123]

I would think that they did remove the back seat...I could reach all of the nuts that were holding the old module bracket in place but if I got them removed there would have been no shot for me to get them back on without removing the rear seat for better access lol...as far as the pin out harness I couldn't say for sure what they did with that. There was a QR code for instructions but when I scanned it nothing came up. With no instructions or videos available I bit the bullet and just had the dealership install it before my wife killed me because we couldn't "legally" pull her horse trailer...lol

 

[azzx]

BTW - Instructions below

 

[Jimmy07]

Thomas Dodge in Highland IN, it was $390 for installation and $300 for the kit. It did have this module installed P/N 68569521AB. They did swap it out with the brake controller that came in the kit P/N 68569520AB. The module that came with the truck was P/N 68569521AB and the controller is P/N 68569520AB. Not sure what the function was of the original module

There are three different trailer tow modules- one that only handles trailer lighting (the one you originally had), one that handles lighting and trailer brakes (the new one you got), and one that handles lighting, trailer brakes, and ttpms.

 

[azzx]

Makes sense now.
I thought trailer lights were controlled by the 7-pin connector.

 

[Jimmy07]

Makes sense now.
I thought trailer lights were controlled by the 7-pin connector.

Well the lighting control wiring and circuits at the 7-pin connector have to come from somewhere…

 

[johnnyf123]

looking at the instructions definitely makes me feel better about letting the dealership install this

 

[RVTRKN]

This post is not critiquing the new Ram, rather giving members who spent their savings to buy the new Ram another way to afford an electric brake controller. $1000.00 for a Trailer Brake Controller, if not equipped, is ridiculous, and for less than 300.00 for DIY'ers, you can wire in an aftermarket controller, and that would include the 7 pin connector, If Ram has figured out a way of keeping their 7 pin outlet at the bumper from using it. The only down side, no data for trailer towing info, as well as T/H not shutting off, if trailer is still connected while truck is off, and controlling it through the Radio. If I bought the 2025 W/O the EBC I would consider that way. If you have the money, than the OE kit is the way to go, but I'd feel raped after the high cost of the truck.

 

[Whoa_Ram]

Happy I got one that had the brake controller already installed. The first one I was looking at didn't and it ran through my mind, well it's an easy install just like my 21!

I'm worried now that adding passive door handles might be out of the question later.

 

[nopi45]

I am about to get a Curt Echo Bluetooth break controller for a temporary solution.

My dealerships saying the OEM ones are on back order and there seems no plug and play solutions from stand a loan unit.

I let y’all know if it works or not incase anyone is like me and has to have one ASAP.

 

[azzx]

Update:
My dealer installed the brake controller yesterday.
1- yes, it is behind the rear seat
2- per the tech that installed mine, it was plug-and-play and he did not have to use the wires that are included in the kit
3- Looks like it is functional from SW perspective, I can set gain and select trailer brake type.
*** Functionality to be validated when I hook it up to my trailer sometime next week.

Questions:
1- since I have a big horn with the basic screen and dash. When I squeeze the controller, screen pops up in the center display for a few seconds. Looks like that there
is no dedicated screen on the center dash for the trailer controller function.
Do any of you with the factory controller installed from the factory have a dedicated screen on the center dash?

 

[Whoa_Ram]

That's awesome news for the people that didn't order it.

On the upgraded 7" cluster there is a dedicated trailer brake page. Sorry I can't help for the smaller cluster.

 

[RVTRKN]

Update:
My dealer installed the brake controller yesterday.
1- yes, it is behind the rear seat
2- per the tech that installed mine, it was plug-and-play and he did not have to use the wires that are included in the kit
3- Looks like it is functional from SW perspective, I can set gain and select trailer brake type.
*** Functionality to be validated when I hook it up to my trailer sometime next week.

Questions:
1- since I have a big horn with the basic screen and dash. When I squeeze the controller, screen pops up in the center display for a few seconds. Looks like that there
is no dedicated screen on the center dash for the trailer controller function.
Do any of you with the factory controller installed from the factory have a dedicated screen on the center dash?

Thats good to hear, did the dealer charge as much as you initially posted, seeing how its plug and play? If the included wire harness is not needed, did they expound on the fact its plug and play, so DIY'ers can perform the labor, then have the dealer flash your truck updating it?

 

[azzx]

After i picked up the truck and came home last night, I noticed the wires lying on the back seat. I went back to the dealer for another issue this morning and the tech told me that my truck was already pre-wired, just needed the new module. He said it took him an hour to get the new module to "talk" to the truck.

The actual functionality is to be verified when I get up north and hook it up to my trailer next week.

The cost was zero - RAM/Stellantis picked up the tab. ( I have a long list of complaints with the Stellanits execs). So they agreed to pay the dealer for part/labor.

 

[azzx]

That's awesome news for the people that didn't order it.

On the upgraded 7" cluster there is a dedicated trailer brake page. Sorry I can't help for the smaller cluster.

Interesting, the dedicated trailer screen showed up today in the cluster.

 

[azzx]

Update:
Hooked up my trailer and looks like everything works.
I did not pull out the trailer from my driveway, so the truck did not display the trailer length for BSM.
Brakes work.
So, in my case, it was a plug-and-play of the new module behind the back seat.

 

[Scott.Maslowe]

This post is not critiquing the new Ram, rather giving members who spent their savings to buy the new Ram another way to afford an electric brake controller. $1000.00 for a Trailer Brake Controller, if not equipped, is ridiculous, and for less than 300.00 for DIY'ers, you can wire in an aftermarket controller, and that would include the 7 pin connector, If Ram has figured out a way of keeping their 7 pin outlet at the bumper from using it. The only down side, no data for trailer towing info, as well as T/H not shutting off, if trailer is still connected while truck is off, and controlling it through the Radio. If I bought the 2025 W/O the EBC I would consider that way. If you have the money, than the OE kit is the way to go, but I'd feel raped after the high cost of the truck.

Honestly, I feel completely ripped off, that this was made intentionally difficult to circumvent you being able to use a 50.00 aftermarket part, and after leasing a new Ram 1500 Limited every single 2-3 years since I dunno like 2000 I think... I'm getting an F150 when my lease is up. Tired of this ********. **** you, Dodge.

 

[Scott.Maslowe]

Guys, check out the Curt Echo Bluetooth Brake Control. Google that. Just bought one with shipping it came to about 300. It plugs into your 7 pin, inbetween your trailer and truck, and is adjusted by a bluetooth app on your phone and has a manual on that app too. Which is weird but it's automatic anyways. I'm going to update this chat with a review as soon as I use it this weekend, but it looks like a solid solution and possibly the only one less than 700 bucks that requires zero installation.

 

[Cbty2050]

Honestly, I feel completely ripped off, that this was made intentionally difficult to circumvent you being able to use a 50.00 aftermarket part, and after leasing a new Ram 1500 Limited every single 2-3 years since I dunno like 2000 I think... I'm getting an F150 when my lease is up. Tired of this ********. **** you, Dodge.

Yes they thought let's screw with Scott and make the trailer brake a little harder to install and set up. Knowing you want an trailer brake and you know your lease is ending, why wouldn't you just order a truck with the trailer brake installed?

 

[RVTRKN]

Honestly, I feel completely ripped off, that this was made intentionally difficult to circumvent you being able to use a 50.00 aftermarket part, and after leasing a new Ram 1500 Limited every single 2-3 years since I dunno like 2000 I think... I'm getting an F150 when my lease is up. Tired of this ********. **** you, Dodge.

I just drove 700 miles in two different 2024 Lariat 150's, good luck with that, I wasn't impressed.

Yes they thought let's screw with Scott and make the trailer brake a little harder to install and set up. Knowing you want an trailer brake and you know your lease is ending, why wouldn't you just order a truck with the trailer brake installed?

How can we know they changed something as simple as a brake controller install. The past trucks was easy plug and play if not equipped.

 

[Cbty2050]

How can we know they changed something as simple as a brake controller install.

They completely changed the electrical system. What didn't they change that is electrical in the 2025 model?