So I recently towed for the first time with my 2012 Ram. Nothing big just a pop up camper (2500 lbs maybe). I am curious about the integrated brake controller and how to operate it. The Tekonsha I had on my old truck required you to get on a level road and adjust the power but it seems the factory controller is a whole lot simpler. First of all when you plug in the trailer harness, the evic displays "light electric" which I assume means that the power that the brakes can pull is limited somewhat??? Then there is the power level from 1 to 10 - seems pretty straightforward just adjust it until the trailer brakes pull sufficiently. I have also seen a number as high as 30 on the screen so I don't know what that means. Can someone enlighten me on how to use the controller?

Overall the truck had very little difficulty towing the trailer. In fact i kept the transmission in OD the whole time - the Tow/Haul mode did not seem to help mileage and frequent downshifts were not a problem. I still managed to get about 14.5 mpg towing into a strong headwind on the way back.

Glenn

 

Not sure what the light electric means but I just plugged it in and drove, I could tell when I had to much brake because I could feel the camper pulling me back. I ended up at 6 on my controller and it seems to work very well at that setting. So if you can't feel it pulling it might be to light, if it is pulling you them turn it down. I don't touch mine anymore now that I have found the right setting! Good Luck!

 

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 4x4 2500 Big Horn. The brake controller has been bad since day one. It used to just say the trailer was unhooked at each stop light and I would just laugh it off. But now with 32670 miles it stopped working in Wolf Creek Pass, Co on the way to Durango. I called Morehart Murphy Dodge when we got the camper set up and they made me an appointment. I left the truck with them for 2 hours and then walked back to the dealer. They said it was the addon 12v plug an auto shop had installed. They said the truck had no proplems. They said for $350.00 they would install a new addon plug and everything would be fine. I told them that I would just stop using the plug and they said fine, we will remove it for $150.00. I said, how will you remove it? They said that they would unhook it from the wires and tape the skuffed wires individually. I said I would do it myself. I when back to camp and removed the saddle clamps from the wiring of the factory plug and tapped each wire making sure no wire was broken and all bare wiring was insulated. I then plugged in the trailer and it still did not work.
I called the dealer and he said it must be the trailer. Called Mcneals Auto Center and made an appointment. But as soon as I got there the mechanic said it couldn't be the trailer but I left it with them. They said they tested it and it was the truck and they would not fix it. I then called the dealer back and they will not work on my truck because I would not do the bait and switch. They would have charged me $350 for the new plug and then had to change the controller also and because of the plug the 36000 mile warrenty is void. Both places seemed to be very friendly with each other.

I called my dealer in Arkansas and he said he would fix the truck and that these dealers in Colorado are not going to help tourists without sticking it to them. So be warned to be very careful in Durango, CO Dodge owners.

 

The newer 1500's offer both "Light Electric" and "Heavy Electric" modes. Your trailer would probably work best using the "Light" setting. The setup after that selection is the same as your old controller where you use the manual lever.

Starting on page #557 of the owners manual is the section on the controller. Adjusting the gain starts on page #559.

The 2500's have additional Light and Heavy settings for EOH brakes.

 

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement connector for my factory IBC? I bought my IBC at the dealership today. Got it all installed up to the point where I have to plug it in, and my harness had been cut out by the previous owner. I bought this truck as a certified preowned about a year ago. Its a 2010 ram 1500. I gave the dealer the vin so they could make sure to get me the right controller. I have the small grey connector that connects the IBC to evic. Just missing the larger connector that supplies power and the signal to the trailer. I would be happy if someone could just get me a part number for this connector so I can purchase the connector from the dealer and wire it in myself.

 

Have your dealer look it up on the "Mopar Connector Repair Kit" site. Looks like it is #68052581AA, MODULE-TRAILER TOW C1 but double check. His picture will show the wire placement (and colors) in the connector which he will be able to print out for you.

 

Thanks!!! I'll swing by tomorrow and bug them...

 

Looks like my thread got hijacked! LOL! I'm just glad that there seems to be some good info coming out of it!

Topgun, my truck is a 2012 1500 Big Horn and the evic does not give me an option between light and heavy modes. I wonder if that is just an option on the HD's? Does the light and heavy refer to amps (i.e. power required)? My owner's manual is pretty tiny (definitely NOT 500 pages that's for sure) and the accompanying cd doesn't tell you much either - more like a promotional video thing. I guess you just turn it up until the trailer brakes start to help. I will be downshifting alot on steep hills anyway!

 

Owner's Manual here: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/owners/manuals/

 

Perfect! Thanks, sawtewth! Not sure why my dealer never gave me the damn thing!