Do Exhaust Brakes On 2005 Dodge Cummins Cause Trailer Brakes To Overheat When Using Brake Controller

Question:

I have a 2005 dodge cummins diesel with stick shift an an exhaust brake. Will using the exhaust brake on a long downhill engage the trailer brakes and cause them to overheat? The description for p3 says deceleration controlled and the p2 says brake controlled. Please clarify. Also if both controllers work with electric or electric over hydraulic, what is the purpose of switching between the two systems?

asked by: Eric A

Expert Reply:

On your 2005 Dodge Cummins Diesel with exhaust brakes, using the Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller, # 90195, will not cause your trailer brakes to overheat on a long downhill. It will only apply power to the trailer brakes in proportion to the vehicles deceleration.

When using the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, # 90885, it will apply power to the trailer brakes only when the vehicles brakes are applied. So the trailer brakes will not be applied until you touch the vehicles brakes.

The Tekonsha P2 and P3 brake controllers work with electric or electric over hydraulic trailer braking systems so they can be used when towing different types of trailers. You will only need to switch between the two systems depending on what type of brakes are on the trailer you are towing.

expert reply by: Jeff D