Brake Assembly Adjustment & Redarc Trailer Brake Controller Compatibility with 2013 Ram 3500 Dually

Question:

I currently have and bought new a 2013 Ram 3500 dually. It has the built in brake controller with adjustable gain 0-10 for Light Elec, Heavy Elec or Light Elec/Hyd or Heavy Elec/Hyd. I have been through an electric over hydraulic conversion for a previous RV 5th Wh. I now have a 42foot 16000 gvw Sierra. At the maximum gain setting and the Electric setting this one does not have El/Hy brakes and get very poor performance of the Dexter Brakes. I can not even stop the rig in a parking lot at 25 mph. I am getting only 12v at the brakes and am wondering if I put this new Redarv on would it help? For the small price of that compared to converting to El/Hy Ill try anything if - and heres the real question - Am I going to be able to find the connector for the OE system such that I can plug it up to the Redarc? Or - bottom line is there something wrong with the OE controller?

asked by: Roger F

Expert Reply:

On your 2013 Ram 3500 dually, the factory brake controller should work fine to stop your trailer. I recommend looking at adjusting the brake assemblies on your trailer as it sounds like they are not working as they should. You are getting the correct current, but they may need the shoes adjusted. I recommend checking that out first and using the Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes # W80630 to make sure your shoes are getting the most contact with the drum possible. I've attached a video that if you skip to the 11:15 mark we demonstrate how to adjust the star wheel adjuster from the back side of the brake assembly. This adjustment only needs to be done once for the self-adjusting brakes but should be done every season for standard assemblies.

If you choose to upgrade your brake controller, you can absolutely use the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty # RED24FR. You will simply need the wiring harness # 3023-S along with the Redarc # RED69FR to make the wiring harness.

expert reply by: Jason S