WARNING!! New 2013 Ram Truck - Brake Controller, Aftermarket

[Colonial Airstream]

From Cequent Performance Products

TECHNICAL BULLETIN: TB13-01

Issue Date: 02/01/13

Installing Electric Brake Controls – 2013 Ram Trucks

Vehicles - 2013 Ram Truck - All

Product Family - Brake Controls -All

The electrical system on the 2013 Ram trucks has changed. Though the brake control connector is the same as the 2010-2012, the wire functions have changed. The terminal that used to be the stop light signal, now has battery voltage, whenever the ignition is in the run position. According to Dodge, it is not possible to install an aftermarket electric trailer brake control into these trucks. Dodge says, that “the 2013 Ram has “Powernet” and utilizes multiplex wiring that is different from any previous design’s, therefore, your aftermarket trailer brake control is not compatible”

At this time, the only aftermarket brake control that can be used on a 2013 Ram truck, is the Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy RF. As soon as more information is available, a revision to this technical bulletin will sent out.

WARNING!!! - Any attempt to install an aftermarket brake control into the vehicle, may cause severe damage to the vehicle’s electrical system or electrical component!

[Aage]

Wow, this is a very important message Patrick, thanks very much for posting it!

It's a very strange move on Chrysler's part, isn't it? Just when there is more "buzz" around their trucks, they complicate the issue of adding a trailer brake controller.

Why, I wonder?

[Minno]

Because they sell an integrated brake controller as part of the towing package...

[mefly2]

Very scary if not known in advance; thanks for the info.

[Bob4x4]

Something to consider on new model vehicles...........just about everything on the new model Rams are on the network,just like any computer network there is communication between them to allow full functionality.The power net allows many more modules to be on the net and is designed for easier dignostics when the net crashes.The network can not have added or removed modules with out reprogramming at the corporate level

[switz]

Probably around 2005 or 2006, BMW motorcycles came up with the "can bus" and it make it virtually impossible to wire third party accessories into the "smart" wiring harness. They used square wave amplitude to carry intelligence. If one did not have access to the dealer only black box, then it was russian roulette with an automatic to play with adding or deleting even BMW accessories let alone third party stuff.

There is a lot of conversation in the Dodge forums concerning the current built-in brake controller's compatibility with various brands of trailers and brake systems. There have been attempts to swap the innards of one brand or another of brake controllers into the space behind the dash and use the conveniently located Dodge control head. As they say, "How's that workin' for ya? Not so good."

There has not been a totally smooth programing experience with the 2012 Dodge vehicle computer systems and the trailer brake system. My Ace up my sleeve is the the Prodigy RF model was how I worked the brakes from the Mercedes, so it is already on my trailer if the Dodge factory system does not work properly. This may be the preferred solution for the 2013 Dodge models as well.

YMMV

[mr.neds]

I was able to find a plug and play harness that bypasses the Dodge wiring. Found it on this blog post 2013 Dodge Ram Aftermarket Brake Control — hitchweb

Works great!

[JFScheck]

Porsche and VW have used CAN bus for years now - I have workarounds that might now be relevant on the new Ram's....

In particular, check out my setup for the Brake Controller installs on either my 2005 Cayenne S or the 2010 Touareg TDI.....

[Bob4x4]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Porsche and VW have used CAN bus for years now - I have workarounds that might now be relevant on the new Ram's....

In particular, check out my setup for the Brake Controller installs on either my 2005 Cayenne S or the 2010 Touareg TDI.....

It's not just the Can bus that is the issue,removing the integral brake controller will trip a ck engine light-due to missing module on the bus.
Adding an external controller not removing the oe would work if done correctly but why bother? The 0em controller has been refined enough to keep 90% of drivers happy

[SteveH]

I recently traded an '08 GMC 3/4 ton for a '12 Ram 3/4 ton which has the factory brake controller.

While it does the job, the Ram controller is not anywhere near as smooth as the GMC was with the same trailer.

[mefly2]

AS a PS, the brake controller in our 2012 Ram worked great with both our 2012 as well as 2013 Airstreams.

[Flying Gypsies]

We have the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie that came with integrated brake controller-BUT it wouldn't work with Electric over Hydraulic Brakes on our 2006 Classic 31. We had to get a plug and play wiring harness for a P3 that plugged right in to the wiring, but also had to get Dodge to de-program the integrated Brake controller from the EVIC so it wouldn't keep looking for it and throw error messages. Before the local dealer could do that, they had to apply for permission from Dodge to do it so it wasn't as easy as one would think- probably a liability issue. The P3 seems to be doing the job just fine, but really wish that we could have used the nicely mounted integrated one from Dodge- we weren't willing to exchange our Classic for one with electric brakes, though, as we are still in love with our AS :-)

[Bob4x4]

Originally Posted by Flying Gypsies

We have the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie that came with integrated brake controller-BUT it wouldn't work with Electric over Hydraulic Brakes on our 2006 Classic 31. We had to get a plug and play wiring harness for a P3 that plugged right in to the wiring, but also had to get Dodge to de-program the integrated Brake controller from the EVIC so it wouldn't keep looking for it and throw error messages. Before the local dealer could do that, they had to apply for permission from Dodge to do it so it wasn't as easy as one would think- probably a liability issue. The P3 seems to be doing the job just fine, but really wish that we could have used the nicely mounted integrated one from Dodge- we weren't willing to exchange our Classic for one with electric brakes, though, as we are still in love with our AS :-)

Yes, the way it works is they have to remove the option from the corporate data base (Done at the corporate level)Then your truck is reprogramed with the new option list.This procedure is done in a reverse fashion when you add any option.

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by NeatAirstream

From Cequent Performance Products

TECHNICAL BULLETIN: TB13-01

Issue Date: 02/01/13

Installing Electric Brake Controls – 2013 Ram Trucks

Vehicles - 2013 Ram Truck - All

Product Family - Brake Controls -All

The electrical system on the 2013 Ram trucks has changed. Though the brake control connector is the same as the 2010-2012, the wire functions have changed. The terminal that used to be the stop light signal, now has battery voltage, whenever the ignition is in the run position. According to Dodge, it is not possible to install an aftermarket electric trailer brake control into these trucks. Dodge says, that “the 2013 Ram has “Powernet” and utilizes multiplex wiring that is different from any previous design’s, therefore, your aftermarket trailer brake control is not compatible”

At this time, the only aftermarket brake control that can be used on a 2013 Ram truck, is the Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy RF. As soon as more information is available, a revision to this technical bulletin will sent out.

WARNING!!! - Any attempt to install an aftermarket brake control into the vehicle, may cause severe damage to the vehicle’s electrical system or electrical component!

Cequent/ Bargman has come up with a wiring harness for this problem.

http://www.hitchpro.com/application/...G1130_revB.pdf

I don't plan on carrying it but can get it drop shipped if anyone needs it.

Solution one does not look to bad.

Solution two on the above PDF is very pricey. It looks to be a good product that they have put a lot into.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by Dan@LED4RV

Cequent/ Bargman has come up with a wiring harness for this problem.

http://www.hitchpro.com/application/...G1130_revB.pdf

I don't plan on carrying it but can get it drop shipped if anyone needs it.

Solution one does not look to bad.

Solution two on the above PDF is very pricey. It looks to be a good product that they have put a lot into.

The brochure refers to RAM 1500 trucks. The original post refers to ALL Ram trucks.
This brings up the question of whether the 2500/3500 series uses the same bus set up?

[switz]

I used the the Prodigy RF unit with my early 2007 Mercedes as it was the only option without taking the interior out of my specific vehicle. After setup, it worked very well.

The 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 built-in controller works fine for me with our 25FB. I kept the Prodigy RF just in case an issue develops with the Dodge controller or I need to use a different TV on some occasion.

[JFScheck]

I do agree - the OEM controller on the 2013 2500 is Great - both electric and hydraulic over electric.

[mutcth]

Another solution: From what I've been told, you can add the integrated Ram controller after the fact through Mopar accessories - about $250.

Tom

[truxpin]

Question......

I pick up my new 2013 Ram 2500 Power Wagon on Monday. Is there something I should know about the oem brake controller? Why would anyone NOT use it? Or why would someone consider putting in an aftermarket unit if the oem controller was already there? Just curious....
Today I was going to pull out the Prodigy from my Suburban trade-in to keep on hand as a back up unit. Good to know now that I cannot use it on the Dodge

[RickDavis]

I have a 2013 with the OEM brake controller..
It is the smoothest controller I have ever used in over 40 years of trailering. Even better than the Jordan that i thought was about as good as it gets. (never used the prodigy)
From reading various forums i get the impression that the earlier OEM controllers had some problems

So far I couldn't be happier with the 2013 controller