2008 Brake Controllers

[Old Gasser]

Does anyone have any experience with electric/hydraulic brakes? A lot of high end RV's, expecially 5th wheels are coming with hydraulic disk brakes that use an electric controller which relies on the same electric signal that actuates your electric brakes. I read some time ago on an RV forum that some of the factory controllers (as I remember Ford was prominently mentioned) do not work with this brake system. I have a 12,000# 5er and the first time I have major suspension problems I intend to replace the axles with torsion axles and hydraulic disks. Since I have the factory controller I am interested in learning if it works OK with this set up.

Gerry:

[skybolt]

I would think it would. The only trailer I have towed so far has drum brakes and took a brake bias setting of close to 10.0 and assume this is because the truck has 4 wheel discs. The controller has a span of 0-10.0 in 0.5 increments so should allow a low enough setting for trailer discs.

[Old Gasser]

I found this on page 4-75 of my owners manual today when I was looking for information to set the gain for our 5th wheel trailer: "CAUTION: Connecting a trailer that is not compatible with the ITBC 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 your vehidle, trailer, or other property. An aftermarket contoller may be available for use with trailers with surge, air or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake systems."
Apparently the ITSB may not work with electric/hydraulic brakes.

Gerry

[Fish]

Do you have to go through the dealer to get one?

[Old Gasser]

This controller is a factory installed option. Yes it must be installed during manufacture.

Gerry

[Gator66]

The factory installed trailer brake system is great. Pull over 12K and it performs great.

Only problem of late...DIC warns me to service the system, mostly when it is wet or raining out. Not sure what that's all about cause the DIC comes on even if I'm not towing.

[mnwelsh]

My DIC also tells me to Service Brake System sometimes when I have NO trailer attached. I don't know why it's doing it. The truck only has 800 miles on it and I have pulled a boat without electric brakes but have not yet pulled my 5th wheel which has electric brakes. Hope the system is ok. It did it again today, I had just washed the truck and that may have something to do with it. Any others seeing this too?

Paul Welsh
Minneapolis
2008 DRW 3500
Durmax/Allison

[Gator66]

Not sure of your specific install circumstances for your trailering package that came with your truck. These packages are initially taped on the street side of the vehicle by the rear axle on the frame.

My DIC kept giving me a Service Trailer Brake System, after the trailering wire package was installed. I had the dealer run diagnostics and they found that the trailer hitch company had two areas not properly taped or closed from the weather which was causing the DIC message when it rained or underside of vehicle got wet. I have since put on 3-4000 miles and no DIC message has repeated. If you have similar install circumstances it could be the issue. Good Luck.

[mnwelsh]

Gator66, thanks for your reply. When I purchased the truck I had the dealer move my 5th wheel hitch to the new truck and install a electrical plug for my camper in the back of the bed just forward of the tailgate. I was surprised GM had a wiring harness that was designed specifficaly for that purpose so everything is under factory warranty. I took it in today and they didn't give me any paperwork. However they told me they found some things wrong and it should give me no further problems. I noted they had rerouted the wiring and now there is an additional grounding wire that goes to the frame that was not there before. Time will tell if it's all working fine. I appreciate your response to my post.
Paul Welsh
Minneapolis
2008, Diesel Allison, DRW LTZ
Love it to death

[Hook'em_Horns!]

You're on track, false errors usually stem from grounding issues.