For OEM brake controller with Airstream's disc brake setup

[cmkirkland]

I have been told that OEM brake controllers do not work with Airstream's disc brake system. Any truth to this?

[nvestysly]

There are lots of variables. Yes, it's true that some OEM brake controllers do not work with electric-over-hydraulic brakes. I don't think this is peculiar to the disc brakes on Airstreams. Instead I think it's specific to certain OEM controllers that do not support electric-over-hydraulic brake systems.

For example, I connected a late model Chevrolet (approx. 2012) to my 1992 Airstream with factory installed electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes and the OEM controller did not operate correctly. I toggled through all the OEM brake settings and there was not a setting for electric-over-hydraulic.

On the other hand, I've heard from owners of other brands (non-GM) that their on-board brake controller works fine with disc brakes.

I'm reasonably certain that the on-board GM brake controllers do not work with electric-over-hydraulic disc brakes. This may have changed in recent years but I don't think so. I think the problem is related to the fact that e-o-h brakes require the controller to "ping" (for lack of a better word) between the controller and brake pump. If the controller cannot send and receive the "ping" it will not work properly.

[KJRitchie]

Searched and found the 2013 and 2014 Chevy 2500hd user manuals online. I found the section about the integrated trailer brake controller. True enough it states the IBTC doesn't support electric over hydaralic. Here is a cut n' paste from that manual.

Connecting a trailer that has a

surge, air,

or electric-over-hydraulic trailer

brake system may result in

reduced or complete loss of trailer

braking. There may be an

increase in stopping distance or

trailer instability which could

result in personal injury or

damage to the vehicle, trailer,

or other property. Use the ITBC

system only with electric brakes.

2015 Manual

Integrated Trailer Brake

Control System

The vehicle may have an Integrated

Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system

for use with electric trailer brakes or

most electric over hydraulic trailer

brakes.

Kelvin

[dznf0g]

GM controllers ARE compatible starting in 2014 for 1500s and 2015 for HDs. Been towing this summer with a 2015 1500 and it works fantastically. Even a bit better than the DirecLink controller.

[KJRitchie]

Can you fool the pre 2015 2500HD ITBC? My Classic has a brake magnet connected into the Dexter actuator wiring.

Kelvin

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Can you fool the pre 2015 2500HD ITBC? My Classic has a brake magnet connected into the Dexter actuator wiring.

Kelvin

I don't know for sure but I suspect that may be a work around. One time when we were traveling and needed a new controller quickly (and I wasn't able to make the repair) a repair shop used the method of attaching a magnet to fool the brake system.

I hadn't thought about doing that as a permanent solution.

Now that I think about it, the "ping" I referred to previously may have been for electric brakes rather than electric-over-hydraulic. That explains why the magnet may have been used to fool the system. It occurs to me now that our e-o-h brakes were periodically grabbing slightly when the "ping" was sent. My memory is not so good on the details - I may be completely off base.

[KJRitchie]

My Prodigy P2 has a setting for EOH and I have it set to that. I've been tempted to disconnect the magnet. I could cut the lead and put male/female insulated connectors on the wire, then I could connect them together if I felt the braking was not as good without the magnet. The magnet is in parallel to the hot lead to the Dexter. It's spliced in and the other side is grounded.

Kelvin

[nvestysly]

On a related note...

I was experiencing odd braking characteristics with our Prodigy P2 with EOH disc brakes. The trailer brakes were engaging, disengaging, and re-engaging in an erratic manner when I pressed the brake pedal.

I think I've fixed the problem. It appears to have been a loose connection on the brake light switch wire. The contoller tapped into the brake light switch wire with a "Scotch Loc(k)" but it was not a consistent signal. I re-attached the wires with a more permanent crimp-on connector. Hope that works!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[cmkirkland]

To answer my original question, yes the Ford OEM Brake Controller does support E/H brakes. I did some browsing through the on-board computer and found an option where you can select electric brakes or electric over hydraulic. This is on my 2012 F-150. I don't know what was the first model to offer the E/H option. If the option began with the 12th generation f-150, then it may have been introduced in 2009.

[Wanderer2604]

I have a 2009 F150. The brake controller has always worked fine on my 2007 Classic discs.

Slight delay on gentle braking but not an issue. Just anticipate a bit. However, if you suddenly hit the brakes, the response is instant.

[switz]

Our 2012 Dodge 2500HD (along with the all the other factory installed brake controllers) are incompatible with the Titan BrakeRite II SD EoH brake controller. We added the Tuson DirecLink NE and all is well.

To fool the truck computer, the blue brake wire going to the factory brake controller under the dash was cut and both end capped. No error codes are generated by the truck computer.

I ran two 30 amp circuit breaker protected #10 gage copper wires from the battery to the seven pin plug on the back of the truck. One went direct for power and the other detoured to the DirecLink and then to the 7 pin plug.

[acstokes]

My F-250 Super Duty's OEM controller works fine for my 2009 Classic w/electric over discs.

[slowmover]

The changes with the OEMs are happening fast. One needs to be very much brand and model specific with this question. Hopefully in a few years it will settle out to a generally higher level of performance than has heretofore been the case.

[terryg]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

GM controllers ARE compatible starting in 2014 for 1500s and 2015 for HDs. Been towing this summer with a 2015 1500 and it works fantastically. Even a bit better than the DirecLink controller.

FYI,
I have a 2008 Classic with the Actibrake electric/hydraulic setup. It works great with a Prodigy P3 or Direclink controller. However, my new 2015 Silverado 2500HD's integrated brake controller doesn't "see" the Actibrake setup at all.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by terryg

FYI,
I have a 2008 Classic with the Actibrake electric/hydraulic setup. It works great with a Prodigy P3 or Direclink controller. However, my new 2015 Silverado 2500HD's integrated brake controller doesn't "see" the Actibrake setup at all.

Hmmm, something else going on, I think. I still have my (2nd design) original Actibrake, and it has worked fine on 2 different 2015 1500s. The 2500 system is identical on 2015 and forward as the 2014 and forward 1500s.

Is your Actibrake 1st design (recalled) or second design?

[terryg]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Hmmm, something else going on, I think. I still have my (2nd design) original Actibrake, and it has worked fine on 2 different 2015 1500s. The 2500 system is identical on 2015 and forward as the 2014 and forward 1500s.

Is your Actibrake 1st design (recalled) or second design?

I didn't know there was a "second design". The unit currently in my trailer was installed by the dealer in Sep 08 after the original unit failed. It has worked perfectly since then. Recall 2010-07-28 stated "dealers will inspect the brake controller and if found to be defective it will be replaced ...". My dealer said mine was working fine and didn't need replaced so I assume I have a "1st design".

[terryg]

Correction: I just reviewed the sticky and I have the version 2 Actibrake.

Terry