Airstream Disk Brakes and GM Controller ?

[woodfox45]

We looked at an Airstream today with disk brakes will my GM brake control that is installed in my 2009 2500 HD work with disk brakes ? The trailer is a 06 classic 31 with factory brakes . I have herd they might not together without adding a after market control. Hope to here from someone in the know .

[dznf0g]

No GM was not compatible with electric over hydraulic until 2014 for 1500s and 2015 for hds and suvs

[woodfox45]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

No GM was not compatible with electric over hydraulic until 2014 for 1500s and 2015 for hds and suvs

Thanks for the quick reply . So what do I do to make it work?

[dznf0g]

Some say adding 2 conventional trailer electric brake magnets in series in the brake apply wire between the trailer end of the umbilical and the actuator fakes the itbc into thinking there are electric brakes.

[dznf0g]

I chose to use a Direclink controller instead.

[TinTop]

On my 2011 2500HD had same issue. I wired a pair of brake magnets in parallel, one side to blue (control) one side to white (ground). The magnet creates a load for the controller to recognize and function. You can also use a resistor to create the load. Set your controller as you normally would. Have over 3K miles and works great.

[batman]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I chose to use a Direclink controller instead.

X2. I have an 02 GMC with the DirecLink controller and the ActuLink electric-hydraulic actuator for my disc brakes. The controller is so easy to install and use, virtually plug and play. I will also say this about Tuson/Dirclink, they have fantastic customer service. It is a great American company, I highly recommend them.
http://www.direclink.com/

-Dennis

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by batman

X2. I have an 02 GMC with the DirecLink controller and the ActuLink electric-hydraulic actuator for my disc brakes. The controller is so easy to install and use, virtually plug and play. I will also say this about Tuson/Dirclink, they have fantastic customer service. It is a great American company, I highly recommend them.
http://www.direclink.com/

-Dennis

If a person was starting from scratch this would be the way to go. Use their recommendations on trailer brake component replacement of drums and build from the ground up.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by TinTop

On my 2011 2500HD had same issue. I wired a pair of brake magnets in parallel, one side to blue (control) one side to white (ground). The magnet creates a load for the controller to recognize and function. You can also use a resistor to create the load. Set your controller as you normally would. Have over 3K miles and works great.

If they're wired in parallel, I can think of no electrical reason that the controller will "see" any resistance of the magnets, as there would be no increase in resistance on the main wire to the actuator.

Edit: never mind. While the actuator is off, itbc will see resistance. And while actuator is running, it's internal resistance must be high enough to compensate for the magnets to be electrically out of the circuit and still fake out the controller.

[streamintrip]

Our 2005 Classic 30 has factory disk brakes on Henschen axles, and we use the Tekonsha P-3 controller. The P-3 can control both electric and electric over hydraulic brakes and has worked very well for us. There is a PnP harness for the GM vehicles which is easy to install. We also used this P-3 in our predecessor tow vehicle, a 2006 GMC Yukon XL 2500.

[ezairstream]

I have towed a 2006 Classic 31 since it was new. I started with a Hayes Genesis that worked for some time but then the controller would not work until a reset code was input.

I then installed a Brakesmart (no longer produced) which works off of the master cylinder pressure. It has worked well until today. When I hook up it recognizes that the trailer has electric over hydraulic. It also recognizes and controls my old Layton with electric brakes.

My Actibrake hydraulic trailer brake actuator is still running. It was not recalled. I am convinced that it has lasted this long since I always used an Actibrake approved controller. Not a Tekonsha that some dealer had laying on his shelf.

If I needed a new controller today I would buy the Direct Link. It is driven by the data in your tow vehicle ABS system.

Good Wishes.

Clyde H.

[submirj]

I had the same question before I got my 2014 GMC 2500 HD. I have a 2011 FC. I kind of worried about the brake controller, and purchased my truck out of state. Got truck home plugged in Airstream, it worked perfect. So I would suggest if you can, take your truck to the Airstream and plug it in. I bet it works. Good luck.

[dznf0g]

It seems, from feedback here, that some do and some don't. I wonder if it has to do with the brand of actuator.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by submirj

I had the same question before I got my 2014 GMC 2500 HD. I have a 2011 FC. I kind of worried about the brake controller, and purchased my truck out of state. Got truck home plugged in Airstream, it worked perfect. So I would suggest if you can, take your truck to the Airstream and plug it in. I bet it works. Good luck.

Aren't your brakes Electric drum brakes?

[TinTop]

I agree it's all personal choice. With me, I'm to tight and didn't want to spend the extra $$ to to put in another controller. I like a clean look and the dash display.

[submirj]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Aren't your brakes Electric drum brakes?

I will have to check. You may be correct, in which case my possitive reply could have been misleading. I just remember that everything I read prior to buying my truck, was possible non compatibility and I was pretty surprised when I hooked it up and all was good.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by submirj

I will have to check. You may be correct, in which case my possitive reply could have been misleading. I just remember that everything I read prior to buying my truck, was possible non compatibility and I was pretty surprised when I hooked it up and all was good.

Yeah, all years of GM ITBCs work with electric drums....it's the discs that are incompatible as described in my prior post.

[woodfox45]

I wonder if you could purchase a 2015 gm control and put it in my 2009 HD I really don't want to buy an aftermarket controller

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by woodfox45

I wonder if you could purchase a 2015 gm control and put it in my 2009 HD I really don't want to buy an aftermarket controller

No, it is a completely different electrical architecture. These ITBCs are in the software communication buss (LAN) and interact with ABS, Stabilitrac, throttle, etc. sensors. It's not a doable thing.

[KJRitchie]

Splice an electric trailer brake magnet to the hydraulic hot lead. Ground it to the trailer chassis. Worth a try.