Brake gain

[Brutal_HO]

The Ram integrated brake controller has been the subject of debate for a while. It's proportional to service brake application, which is a good thing, but, from what I recall from folks who put a lot of research time in, there is a programming quirk... ahem, "feature"... that limits output voltage at low speeds. What this translates to is even if you set your brakes up for perfect braking while going down the road, when you are in town, or approaching a traffic light you can suddenly feel like the trailer is pushing you through the intersection, even if you work the trolley brake manually.

I found the opposite to be true. My brakes were grabby around town with the controller set heavy electric at 4 and even somewhat at 3.5.

 

[Brutal_HO]

I have mine set on heavy electric, no issues. I started with light electric, had it up at level 9 ish, still no issues, but, i think I am running around a 4 on heavy. My fiver is about 14k loaded up.

12K trailer, under 4K boat (surge) and I'm running it at 4. 2018 trailer with the forward self adjusting Dexter brakes/axles.

 

[Deleted member 80]

The integrated brake controller will not put out full voltage below approx 30 mph. Here is one of many threads, and there were a couple owners who put many hours into tracking this down. The same trailers hooked to a GM or Ferd would stop fine, as they don't reduce the output. Not one of Ram's brighter ideas, IMHO.

Factory brake controller

I have a 2017 ram 3500 I tow a 18000 pound toy hauler camper there are 3 axles 6 breaks. I have taken aback several times the last time they have...

www.turbodieselregister.com

an excerpt:
It’s not the number of brakes over taxing the ITBM. . It’s the lack of voltage applied at low speed. The problem first occurred in the 2015 trucks which incorporated traction control in the trailer brake circuit. I did the leg work when my selling dealer couldn’t find the problem. At speeds under 30 mph my controller will max out at 7.4 volts to the trailer brakes. Over 30 it’ll put out over 11.5. That’s why you can’t lock the trailer when testing with the manual override in a parking lot. Those who tow heavy are the ones who notice the poor performance at low speed. Downhill to a 4 way stop is no time to pull voltage from the trailer brakes.

Ps. My brakes get full voltage and lock tight when the breakaway switch is activated.

 

[Rich]

The integrated brake controller will not put out full voltage below approx 30 mph. Here is one of many threads, and there were a couple owners who put many hours into tracking this down. The same trailers hooked to a GM or Ferd would stop fine, as they don't reduce the output. Not one of Ram's brighter ideas, IMHO.

Factory brake controller

I have a 2017 ram 3500 I tow a 18000 pound toy hauler camper there are 3 axles 6 breaks. I have taken aback several times the last time they have...

www.turbodieselregister.com

an excerpt:
It’s not the number of brakes over taxing the ITBM. . It’s the lack of voltage applied at low speed. The problem first occurred in the 2015 trucks which incorporated traction control in the trailer brake circuit. I did the leg work when my selling dealer couldn’t find the problem. At speeds under 30 mph my controller will max out at 7.4 volts to the trailer brakes. Over 30 it’ll put out over 11.5. That’s why you can’t lock the trailer when testing with the manual override in a parking lot. Those who tow heavy are the ones who notice the poor performance at low speed. Downhill to a 4 way stop is no time to pull voltage from the trailer brakes.

Ps. My brakes get full voltage and lock tight when the breakaway switch is activated.

Well that explains it then. Was wondering why set at 10 wouldn't lock up 13 k

 

[Deleted member 80]

Well that explains it then. Was wondering why set at 10 wouldn't lock up 13 k

Yup, I had a Brakesmart in my '05, and that thing worked fantastic, and was proportional, all the way down to 0 mph. I like the factory controller, except for this issue.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Yup, I had a Brakesmart in my '05, and that thing worked fantastic, and was proportional, all the way down to 0 mph. I like the factory controller, except for this issue.

I almost put a Brakesmart in my 04.5 but ended up with a Jordan Ultima. When it gave up the ghost, I put in a cheap Tekonsha that I hated until I upgraded to a P3. The P3 worked well but pales in comparison to the integrated controller - which really shines with ACC.

 

[Wileykid]

Well that explains it then. Was wondering why set at 10 wouldn't lock up 13 k

Was towing (10K lbs) with this truck for the first time last week, and although braking was fine, I could never get it to lock up. All this explains it, although I know that at least Chevy is the same way, it will not lock up at slow speeds unless you are on rocks, slippery surfaces. While at a stop (no traffic), I kept the brakes full on with the manual switch, and let the truck idle forward, after 10-15' or so, the trailer brakes suddenly applied all the way, locked up, so add that to the confusion. While idling forward, you could tell the brakes were on (50-60%?), and trying to hold the truck back.

 

[Plum Cra Zy]

wow, I've got mine on heavy electric with a 13k fiver and got it set on the maximum of 10. Its never been close to locking up a wheel, even at hard breaking events, I don't know how you do it on 4.

You need to check trailer brake adj maybe?

 

[Rich]

You need to check trailer brake adj maybe?

Ohhhhh boy, hah, to bad I didn't think of that when I had all the wheels off to get wheel sensors installed. Man I'm dumb. Well I guess on the good side, this fiver is a 16 model and I've not had to do a break job, YET, maybe it will make it another 18 months and ill save some $$$$$. Knocken on wood. Of coarse 95% of miles logged are brake free interstate miles, so maybe that's normal, don't know, but again, Im an aggressive driver when hooked up

 

[Plum Cra Zy]

Maybe by your response you don't know what brake adj means? But then I can't tell your tone in your reply so whatever, just trying to be helpful.
BTW, it's brake, not break. And course, not coarse!

 

[Rich]

Maybe by your response you don't know what brake adj means? But then I can't tell your tone in your reply so whatever, just trying to be helpful.
BTW, it's brake, not break. And course, not coarse!

Had to go back and read my post after your 'whatever response', i didn't think i was being sarcastic so sorry if you took it that way. I drove a truck for 25 yrs , so yes I know what and how to do a brake adj and you were helpful and i never implied other wise. As far as my spelling an grammer goes, that really p!$$=$$ off my wife as well. But like I told her, i don't give a $#!+, could really care less if it comes out court house perfect. Now dat rt dere is sarcazm. After I talked to you I was like man I'm dumb because you made me think of my brakes and I should of inspected them when I had my wheels off . But hey dont be so hard on yourself ram guy, were all good.

 

[Plum Cra Zy]

Cool! Just trying to help out a fellow RAMMER!

 

[Nick]

wow, I've got mine on heavy electric with a 13k fiver and got it set on the maximum of 10. Its never been close to locking up a wheel, even at hard breaking events, I don't know how you do it on 4.

Are your brakes properly adjusted ? Even when my brakes were only electric I would start at about 5 to 6

 

[Nick]

Weel I am sure you know how to adjust them . Didn't read your reply although that gain is still high . Were do you go after 10 . In the ditch I guess . Just kidding .

 

[Zeroday]

Were do you go after 10 .

These go to 11

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_to_eleven )

 

[Rich]

These go to 11

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_to_eleven )

As we use to say in the commercial trucking buisness, ( staaaand on it son).