/-'!!)(*# Ram IBC trailer brake issue

kksfish · 09-04-2017, 04:43 AM

Well I finally got a chance to pull my fifth wheel with the new truck! I hooked everything up and connected the wiring then I went thru the set up on the controller and got to the last part and it wouldn't save!

I tried a pull test and the brakes were working.....just wouldn't save so every time I shut the truck off or changed screens like to use the radio I had to start the set up all over to get to the last page and still couldn't save. The trailer lights worked fine as well.....

2017 Ram 3500 CTD

Any ideas before I get an appointment at the dealer? Thanks

bill-e · 09-04-2017, 05:18 AM

Are you talking about the built-in brake controller? My install was seamless, not much the user has to do once selecting the type of brake etc so I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Trip to dealer might be the only option though I have doubts about the success there unless they have a TSB that they can flash.

Ddubya · 09-04-2017, 05:36 AM

I noticed that I had to set my IBC to 10 recently to get the brakes to react. They would just barely slow the trailer. I left the trailer with my dealer and they told me that the brakes were functioning correctly on their shop truck.
I checked my 2016 RAM 3500 brake setting and it was set to light electric. This setting was pretty good when I first got the trailer new but I am thinking that I should have the IBC set to heavy electric. kksfish, you might try the heavy setting.

Racebug · 09-04-2017, 06:18 AM

I have mine set to heavy now, and it will smoke the tires while set at 5.5. Thinking about going back to light and cranked all the way up. Worked great like that and I didn't see miles of skid marks all the way to the highway from my house either.

gearhead · 09-04-2017, 06:50 AM

I'm running "heavy elect". Ran it around 6-7 with the OEM brakes. I replaced with eTrailer complete package backing plates and now running on "4".

kksfish · 09-04-2017, 07:25 AM

The braking seemed pretty good at the light electric setting....my only problem is it won't save the setting ! As soon as I exit the settings it tells me it didn't save so I had to leave it in the set up mode to keep it working!
I get to the screen where it asks me "use this trailer" yes or no I keep hitting yes button but it doesn't save and go to done screen....

Voyager · 09-04-2017, 07:56 AM

My setup was easy, no problems at all , I set it for heavy and run it at 2.5 or 3, more than that and it can lock the tires

MSB1766 · 09-04-2017, 08:09 AM

There is an update for the brake controller, Took mine in for an oil change in May of this year.

kksfish · 09-04-2017, 08:47 AM

Guess I'm gonna get an early oil change and hopefully an update! I needed to get it in anyway for a vibration between 70 and 75!

Really annoying having to stay in set up screen to keep brakes working.....

Barbell · 09-04-2017, 09:24 AM

'16 3500 drw CTD; I set the brake controller to "heavy electric over hydraulic" and it handles the Montana just fine with no lock-ups. Dealer flashed the computer at last oil change but don't know for what. It's worked like this since new. Now at 27,000 miles.

kksfish · 09-04-2017, 01:12 PM

Thanks for all the information everyone.....fingers crossed that a flash fixes it!

Ddubya · 09-06-2017, 04:08 PM

Took the truck in today and the trailer brake is functioning as it should.
That said, the controllers in the newer Ram trucks are more sophisticated than the old controllers that simply put the amount of voltage on the trailer that was dialed in by the controller. Thus you could lock up the trailer brakes with the sensitivity set to maximum.

The new Ram controller senses pedal pressure, speed and the amount of deceleration. So if you are traveling at 30 MPH and apply the foot brake to stop at a traffic signal the controller will only apply a small voltage to the trailer. In a panic situation the amount of braking voltage applied to the trailer will again be determined by the pedal pressure, speed and deceleration. In this case it is supposed to apply an increased voltage to the trailer brakes.
From what I have learned as long as the sensitivity is adjusted so as to keep the truck/trailer stopped at idle it should work as advertised. The trailer brakes should be stronger at about 25 MPH with the sensitivity adjust moved to maximum and foot off of the accelerator.
In theory it sounds good. I just hope it works as designed.

kksfish · 09-07-2017, 12:43 PM

This is what I get

mattmountz94 · 09-08-2017, 02:16 AM

Wow this thread just helped me. I have had my brake controller set to a 10 since i got this truck and just thought i was losing the brakes on the trailer. Looked at the settings this morning and it was set to light trailer. Woo just switched to Heavy Trailer and backed it down to a 3 to start. Hopefully this will give me some brakes now. Trailer is 14k fyi

kksfish · 09-08-2017, 03:30 PM

Well I took it to the dealer this morning and of course they couldn't duplicate the problem and everything checked normal.........Guess I'll try again and hopefully it fixed itself!

Matt, glad it worked for you....

mattmountz94 · 09-09-2017, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kksfish

Well I took it to the dealer this morning and of course they couldn't duplicate the problem and everything checked normal.........Guess I'll try again and hopefully it fixed itself!

Matt, glad it worked for you....

Well it did and it didn't.. I ran into the same issue that it never saved the changes I made. I turned truck off and it was back to light trailer. On a side note once I changed it back to heavy trailer I could tell the difference with the brakes. I will be taking mine in shortly to have my buddy check it out. If I find a resolution I will let you know. I have a 15

kksfish · 09-09-2017, 02:56 PM

Thanks and I hope your Buddy finds a fix for both of us!

Ddubya · 09-13-2017, 05:23 PM

Picked up the fiver today from the dealer. They could not find any issue with the brakes. The Ram dealer said the same about my truck.
With the truck brakes set to heavy electric and in gear at idle I engaged the trailer brakes. With the gain at 10 the trailer would not stop the truck.
I am going to check the current on the trailer brakes as well as the gauge of the wiring in the next few days. I just do not feel safe with the way the breaks are operating.

gearhead · 09-14-2017, 05:15 AM

I never liked my Montana brakes. They barely worked. I think I towed from Indianapolis back home with one brake. Dealer checked them, independent shop checked them, and a shop in Indy checked them. All said good. I replaced the entire brake assemblies and now they are good.

Racebug · 09-14-2017, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddubya

Picked up the fiver today from the dealer. They could not find any issue with the brakes. The Ram dealer said the same about my truck.
With the truck brakes set to heavy electric and in gear at idle I engaged the trailer brakes. With the gain at 10 the trailer would not stop the truck.
I am going to check the current on the trailer brakes as well as the gauge of the wiring in the next few days. I just do not feel safe with the way the breaks are operating.

I know the trucks speed and your pedal pressure play a role in how the trailer brakes work with the new ram. Mine work great on about 5 heavy till I approach my driveway. smokes all 6 tires everytime. I'm only going about 8-10 MPH downhill.

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