Recommendation For a Brake Controller on a 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel

Question:

I own a 2001 Dodge 3500 diesel truck and I need to install a trailer brake controller on my truck. Is there a certain brand or make that I need to buy to make the trailer brakes work on my trailer? The videos I have seen the installation looks super easy plug and play installation. No other adjustments are needed? Will the trucks on board system will be able to detect the new device right off the get go? I am new of a travel trailer and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

asked by: Steve Y

Expert Reply:

Brake controllers are universal items so most brake controllers will fit on most vehicles by using the correct adapters. The brake controller will have no problem working with your vehicles on board computer.

For your 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, part # 90885. The Prodigy 2 brake controller is our best selling model. It can be mounted in a 360 degree vertical range and will level itself automatically. It is a proportional brake controller which means that the brakes are applied to the trailer at the same time and same strength as the brakes on your vehicle. It can be used on trailers that have up to 4 axles (8 brake assemblies). I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Prodigy P2 brake controller.

If you have a factory 7-Way connector on your Dodge Ram all you will need to connect the brake controller to the vehicle is the Tekonsha Dodge Wiring Harness, part # 3020-P. It will plug into the back of the brake controller and the other end will plug into your factory brake controller port located under the dash.

If you have a factory 4-Way connector on your Dodge Ram you will need the wiring harness # 3020-P mentioned above and also the Hopkins 4-Way to 7-Way and 4-Way Adapter, part # 37185. This adapter will plug into the 4-Way on your vehicle and the remaining 4 wires will need to be wired to give you a working 7-Way connector.

The four remaining wires will need to be hardwired to the corresponding circuits on the vehicle. The white (ground) wire will need to be attached to the vehicle frame, the black (12 volt power) wire is connected to the vehicles battery with 10 gauge wire like the # 10-1-1, through a 40-amp circuit breaker # 9510, the blue (trailer brake) wire will be connected to the blue trailer brake feed wire on the brake controller, and the purple ( auxiliary) wire is for reverse lights if you need that circuit. If any of these connections are not needed just wire tie them up out of the way for future use.

If you do not have a factory trailer connector on your Dodge Ram you will need to install the Tow Ready Wiring Harness, part # 118329, and the Brake Controller 7 and 4 Way Installation Kit, part # ETBC7. I am including a link to a video of a brake controller being installed on a 1999 Dodge Ram using the # 118329 wiring harness and the # ETBC7 installation kit.