Trailer reverse steering retrofit?

[chuck01835]

Anyone attempt to add trailer reverse steering as a diy add on?

Thanks Chuck

 

[User_18352]

I'm wondering the same thing. My 2022 Limited didn't come with the brake controller or any of the other tow goodies. While getting a factory brake controller is easy enough I'm interested in finding out how hard it would be to get the rest of the tow package upgrade after the fact.

 

[Kilroy]

Following, I have the Tach group and brake control and would like the add it.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

I wouldn't waste the time or money. I have the reverse steering on my 2021 Laramie, and to say it is glitchy is an understatement. When it works, it does a great job, but it almost NEVER works! It worked the first couple times I tried it, but then it started to tell me to calibrate the system. No matter how often, or how many times, it is calibrated, it still says to calibrate. Do some searching and you will see that this is a common problem. I don't even try to use it anymore, and have just learned to back it on my own.

 

[Dewey]

I wouldn't waste the time or money. I have the reverse steering on my 2021 Laramie, and to say it is glitchy is an understatement. When it works, it does a great job, but it almost NEVER works! It worked the first couple times I tried it, but then it started to tell me to calibrate the system. No matter how often, or how many times, it is calibrated, it still says to calibrate. Do some searching and you will see that this is a common problem. I don't even try to use it anymore, and have just learned to back it on my own.

Totally agree. Don’t waste your time.

 

[Bigbags85]

I don't know if the Trailer TPMS system would be a part of adding that after the fact but I just had to have my Trailer TPMS wiring harness replaced and they had to replace the full body length wiring harness. So if that harness wasn't already installed it might be a pain in the *** because it took the guy all day to fish the harness in/out of the frame to run it back to the back of the truck. I don't know if RAM uses different harnesses. I can check the part numbers (if I remember) when I get out of work.

 

[Jimmy07]

I don't know if the Trailer TPMS system would be a part of adding that after the fact but I just had to have my Trailer TPMS wiring harness replaced and they had to replace the full body length wiring harness. So if that harness wasn't already installed it might be a pain in the *** because it took the guy all day to fish the harness in/out of the frame to run it back to the back of the truck. I don't know if RAM uses different harnesses. I can check the part numbers (if I remember) when I get out of work.

The trailer reverse steering wiring is all contained to just the instrument panel harness, and the connectors should already be present on all 2021-2022’s (aside from having to rearrange the rear camera cable from the radio to the trailer steer module).

Following, I have the Tach group and brake control and would like the add it.

Adding the parts is pretty straightforward. You would need the trailer steering module, and the lower switch bank with the steering knob. The connectors that plug into them should be taped back in the center dash. You would need two short universal fakra coax cables to rearrange the rear camera cable that is currently plugged into the radio.
Programming it to work is the issue. The settings to enable it aren’t in AlfaOBD. It *could* be possible for the dealer to do it, but you would need to convince the tech to do something unconventional with their scan tool:
- First, you would find the VIN of a truck as close as possible to having all the features of your truck PLUS trailer reverse steering.
- Use AlfaOBD to make a copy of your current BCM settings.
- Tell the tech to restore your vehicle configuration to that VIN (it’s possible to do this by manually entering the VIN when the ignition is off).
- Once that is done, use AlfaOBD to go back in and change any other differences in features between your truck and the VIN you used back to what they were.

 

[igolfdou18]

The trailer reverse steering wiring is all contained to just the instrument panel harness, and the connectors should already be present on all 2021-2022’s (aside from having to rearrange the rear camera cable from the radio to the trailer steer module).

Adding the parts is pretty straightforward. You would need the trailer steering module, and the lower switch bank with the steering knob. The connectors that plug into them should be taped back in the center dash. You would need two short universal fakra coax cables to rearrange the rear camera cable that is currently plugged into the radio.
Programming it to work is the issue. The settings to enable it aren’t in AlfaOBD. It *could* be possible for the dealer to do it, but you would need to convince the tech to do something unconventional with their scan tool:
- First, you would find the VIN of a truck as close as possible to having all the features of your truck PLUS trailer reverse steering.
- Use AlfaOBD to make a copy of your current BCM settings.
- Tell the tech to restore your vehicle configuration to that VIN (it’s possible to do this by manually entering the VIN when the ignition is off).
- Once that is done, use AlfaOBD to go back in and change any other differences in features between your truck and the VIN you used back to what they were.

Checking to see if anyone actually did this install? I have the parts but I am don't see any instructions where to mount the module and it looks like I don't have the plug for the control module. I do for the knob. I also want to be sure I route the camera cables correctly.

 

[igolfdou18]

• Trailer Steering Knob – link to part numbers – your configuration and options may vary.
  • Disconnect negative battery cable
    • Locate two wiring harnesses already present in your vehicle:
    • Trailer Steering Button. I found mine taped up behind center stack, you may have to remove radio control unit to find it.
    • Trailer Steering Control Module – I found mine taped up on glove box side of center stack.
    • Route FAKRA cable – with 2 female ends, link to part from Amazon https://a.co/d/6HLx8zx to the red port on module to red port behind radio (you will have to remove red cable already attached to radio,
    • Route the FAKRA cable with one female end and one male end. Link to the part on Amazonhttps://a.co/d/1zSj7Wv. The male end will plug into the red cable you removed and the female end will plug into the orange port of the control module,
    • Mount the control module on the metal support on the glove box side of the center stack.
    • Install a cabin filter if you purchased one at this time.
    • Reassemble all items
    • Reattach negative battery cable
    • Then you’ll enable this setting in AlfaOBD:
      TRSCM Tri-State Comfort Climate Module.
      It is not described correctly, as it should say Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module.
  • 
    
    
    I hope this helps anyone trying to add this capability to their vehicle. I wanted it to help my wife have more confidence operating the vehicle at the boat ramp and there is one boat ramp that we launch that is very long that I may even use it at.

 

[igolfdou18]

I finally had time to get my trailer out of storage so I could install the TPMS modules in the trailer tires I completed the module installs last weekend. I tried the trailer reverse steering for the first time and received a message saying it was unavailable. I used AlphaOBD to troubleshoot. I returned this error U11E8. The fault is related to EPS Steering Torque Message. Anyone have any experience with that? @Jimmy07 - Have you seen this before?

 

[igolfdou18]

Has anyone successfully completed this upgrade? I was receiving the U11E8 fault. I checked the connection on the EPS module like the technical document from FCA. Everything looked good on the connection to the EPS unit. I I used AlphaOBD to see if the EPS had any faults. NOTHING! I ordered a new module. I had originally purchased a used one. No change. still getting the same fault. I inspected the pins on the module , the trailer steering button and the connectors. Everything looked good. I wonder if I should try replacing the the trailer steering button? I wonder if there is another setting that I need to make in Alpha OBD other than enabling the TRSCM module. Appreciate any assistance anyone can provide? I am out of options.

 

[igolfdou18]

Here is the technical document I found on the U11E8 fault.

 

[igolfdou18]

here is the thread with the details @Njh3409

 

[dojofo]

Did you ever find the cause of the EPS dtc. Was it do to the reverse steering add on. Or something not set/configuration, or non related. I am thinking about also doing the retro fit, any info would be appreciated.