Towing Brake Controller

[Rich L]

Hello all,
I have a 2018 Ram 1500. I recently purchased a small travel trailer. I assumed that since it has the hook ups for towing a trailer I'd be ready to go. Apparently not. Even though I have the hitch and a tow button on the console; It looks like now I need a brake controller. Is that right? It seems odd that the accessories I mentioned are included if they can't be used safely as is.

I should point out that I'm completely new to towing anything. So maybe I'm missing something? I've checked the manual but it seems to relate to several Ram versions but not my base model.
Thanks Rich L

 

[22Silver]

Hi, if your travel trailer has electric brakes then you need a trailer brake controller. My 2013 didn’t come with one but I installed the OEM integrated controller myself then had dealer flash the system to activate it for use. My new 22 came with it and I find it works great. You can purchase after market units, the previous owner of our travel trailer had a Bluetooth one that he said worked great for him.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Hello all,
I have a 2018 Ram 1500. I recently purchased a small travel trailer. I assumed that since it has the hook ups for towing a trailer I'd be ready to go. Apparently not. Even though I have the hitch and a tow button on the console; It looks like now I need a brake controller. Is that right? It seems odd that the accessories I mentioned are included if they can't be used safely as is.

I should point out that I'm completely new to towing anything. So maybe I'm missing something? I've checked the manual but it seems to relate to several Ram versions but not my base model.
Thanks Rich L

Do you have a 2018? The 4th gen forums would work better. But yes, you will need trailer brake controller if you want to tow a trailer with trailer brakes.

 

[sportyroman]

Hello all,
I have a 2018 Ram 1500. I recently purchased a small travel trailer. I assumed that since it has the hook ups for towing a trailer RAM VIN Lookup & Number Decoder | EpicVIN I'd be ready to go. Apparently not. Even though I have the hitch and a tow button on the console; It looks like now I need a brake controller. Is that right? It seems odd that the accessories I mentioned are included if they can't be used safely as is.

I should point out that I'm completely new to towing anything. So maybe I'm missing something? I've checked the manual but it seems to relate to several Ram versions but not my base model.
Thanks Rich L

You are right, you need a trailer brake controller

 

[Rich L]

Thanks for the responses. I'm off to get one installed. Sorry for posting on the wrong forum.