Ram, with Center Console, Trailer Brake Controller Installation [4th gen models]

Ram Mopar Brake Controller is a little more costly
than some of the third party options, and a bit more
work to install. But when you are done you have an
integrated brake controller that has extra menus that
come up on your dashboard, as well as if you resell
the Ram, you can now officially say it has a factory
brake controller.
0:00 intro
1:55 pre-drill holes on metal bracket
4:58 remove torx screws from dashboard
6:30 remove screws from center console
8:25 remove center console
9:12 remove center dashboard (climate control..)
12:12 remove button section from dashboard
13:56 install trailer brake controller in dashboard
16:35 remove kick panel under steering wheel
18:32 install metal bracket below steering wheel
22:08 install trailer brake controller module
23:12 re-install dashboard
26:40 re-install center console
29:43 activation of brake controller module
#RamTrailerBrakeController #RamFourthGen #RamTrucks
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[@ramecodiesel8271]

Just a caution for anyone with a tuner that gets the OEM brake controller flashed by the dealer, the OEM brake controller requires the Body Control Module to be flashed to activate it, however when my truck was flashed for the OEM brake controller at the dealer it caused an issue with the tune and I started getting service trailer brake system and service electronic brake system messages on the EVIC, then the transmission started hunting for a gear and then would not shift out of first gear at one point and finally the check engine light came on. My truck has a tune installed and the truck had been running great for the past 18,000 miles, I tuned it the first two weeks that I bought it. The problems started after the dealer programmed the body control module to activate the OEM brake controller adding it to the vin number in the manufacture system so it knows the OEM brake controller is installed. Thinking back to when the problems started I decided to load the stock tune back into the ECM/TCM and took the truck for a short 1.1 mile ride, the check engine light was gone as were the service trailer brake and electronic brake system messages. I pulled back into my driveway and reinstalled the tune in the ECM and TCM and for the past 1,000 miles now I have not had any issues, no more service trailer brake system or service electronic brake system and the transmission is shifting good again and the check engine light has not come back on, the truck is again running like it was before the dealer programmed the body control module. So if you have a tune and you install the OEM trailer brake controller and go to the dealer to have it flashed to activate it make sure you remove the tune and load the stock programming back into the ECM and TCM or you will likely have issues. Once the dealer is done with their programming you can reinstall the tune to the ECM and TCM again. I do not know what the Body Control Module flash did that caused the ECM/TCM tunes to start throwing codes, messages and causing the transmission to started shifting funny but something with that flash did affect the tune. Reloading the tunes did correct what ever it was that was creating the conflict.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks for this valuable input. Hopefully anyone that has done the special tuning reads this comment to help them prevent issues as well.

[@oscarpasillas3413]

How much did the dealer charge

[@ramecodiesel8271]

@@oscarpasillas3413 They got me for $180 dollars, they added every shop charge they could to the bill, I really don't know what shop supplies they used to plug in their computer and program the OEM brake controller.

[@josevega3104]

Thanks for the input I just purchased a 2016 and the previous owner said it didn’t have a trailer brake system so he install one but the dealer took it off and did the oem one but I can’t get it to work so I think they never did the flash by dodge so I need to take it back but it has a tune and now you save me from having issues. The old owner is sending me the tuner so that I can fix it. Thanks

[@ericbender21]

Awesome video my man. I will be using your video to install mine on my 4th gen. You did all the heavy lifting for me. I appreciate you!

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

My pleasure, happy to help. Good luck on those screws in the metal plate. If you can't get the third one in, you should be okay.

[@RVOnTheWayside]

I know nothing about mechanical stuff, but I had to stop by and see part of this as I still want to support you. Can't wait for your next one for sure. ❤️👍👏 Donovan & Jodi

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I grew up in a house of fixing stuff. I've been elbows deep in an engine before. I couldn't do it full time, but I also have trust issues with mechanics touching my stuff, LOL.

[@ConsidertheWonders]

Brother...that was a lot of work. I was waiting for the punchline at the end to be “and this is why I bought a new truck” 😂. I can say though it’s a wise decision to get that installed. 100% worth it while pulling a camper. You will not regret the sweat 🙌🏼

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

There were times, that were filmed, where i was questioning my life choices

[@lorenzoleyva-wg9kr]

Thank you for the video… Just installed the controller on my 2016 Ram 1500… Those dang screws were the most difficult thing ever but it got done.. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

They were so tough. I'm glad you were able to finish it up and get it working.

[@MelNetteLivingFreeZipCodeless]

Wow that was a lot of work but it was worth it. Thank you for sharing and this Texas Heat is something else. Be safe friends sending love your way ❤️

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

It will be great when I get to use it ;)

[@HappilyEverHanks]

You are so handy!! We had to have a brake controller installed on our older truck when we first started RVing 3 years ago but then upgraded right away to the 2500 diesel (already came with it). I (Renee) would of just had Kyle watch this video and do it ourselves instead of the dealer. Nice video, very professional! ~~Renee & Kyle

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks, I filmed all of this before y'all released your How to hitch a 5th wheel video, but I would say I probably polished up some of the editing a bit after watching y'alls video.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

@@TexasFamilyCamping you did a great job and the more people that get into RVing and need brake controller the more your video will grow! 👍🏼

[@SmallSpaceLiving]

Hey man nice install. I do not have a truck but I like learning new stuff. Great video. Many are going to get great help from this. Nice step by step. Thanks for sharing.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks y'all. Sometimes someone needs that much detail. Hopefully it helps them

[@AdventureEncounters]

We love our Ran too! What a crazy, frustrating, yet satisfying install! I can't believe the switch wasn't already installed...especially in a Ram! Lol... the one thing that we go crazy about, is when you are trying to use the nav system... it takes forever to load and it doesn't find points of interest as easy as you would think and y a.. the BT is so frustrating! Oh man! Such a bummer about the mic!! Lol.. Florida weather is the same 😆 Happy camping! 👋👋 - Ashley

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

We get mad at the Ram bluetooth as well. We don't have the nav system, we just use our phones for that. Thanks for watching, sorry it was boring, I promise the next 2 videos will be much more entertaining.

[@ThisAdventureFamily]

Great video, very insightful and helpful 👍👍👍

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

If you have a Ram, and need that brake controller, I think this is the right video.................... How y'all doing? Everything doing alright on your trek across America? We don't see enough of y'all anymore, I worry about you guys.

[@VanLifeRocks]

Nice work 💪🏼 Thank you for sharing

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks for watching, come back this next week, the content will be much more entertaining

[@VanLifeRocks]

Texas Family Camping Sounds good my friend 😎

[@absfood7142]

Nice video of the Ram, with Center Console, Trailer Brake Controller Installation . Enjoyed and watched.32:12

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Well thank you, we appreciate you

[@trailadventuresukbeyondmik8672]

Cheers great info. 👏👏👍

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I figure somebody needs to know, LOL.

[@HappyPlaceCamping]

Great tutorial! Man I hate messing with interior stuff. Too much plastic crap. I always end up removing and putting back the interior pieces cuz Jessie gets impatient and apes it... As I call it... And stuff gets broken lol. I've taken apart more than a view doors and dashes. I also love how you split up the video. If anyone wants to jump to a certain section they can. That's really cool! Oh and congrats on 500 peeps!! Very happy for you!

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I had to read that 3 times for Tania.... Ape's it..... APES IT........ apes.........it. she thought I was cussing each time, LOL.

[@HappyPlaceCamping]

@@TexasFamilyCamping 🤣😂

[@tonytorres6256]

Thank you, this was very helpful. I too didn't secure the last screw that is the very top rear one. Way to difficult to get to but the other ones seemed to hold well so not really worried about it. on a side note, there was a grounding bolt right in the area where you will be working in, mine was loose so took the opportunity to tighten it down since i was in there, so if you are doing this check that bolt, can't miss it, it's in between the hard to get top one and the lower top one same side that you screw those into. Should have taken a picture of it but hope this bit of info helps someone else out when they are doing this. Also, FYI, out here in Riverside, California, i was charged two hundred for the programing as of 03/20/21, so if you can get it for cheaper, go for it, i didn't have the choice to shop around since I needed it because i am moving my trailer today and didn't have time to shop around.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I was thankful that our dealership charged $100. And I like the idea that once the dealership does it, the VIN, when checked, shows the trailer brake controller officially listed as installed. Thanks for watching.

[@motivaholic7058]

Very interesting share!

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I didn't find the quality of video I was looking for when I was researching how to do it, so I decided I would add to the overall collective.

[@priba11]

Good job👍

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thank you thank you

[@Mikiibiza]

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing......Like nº10 👍🏼 my friend... Have a great weekend ....Greetings 👋🏼🍀

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks for watching it.

[@knowhereman1]

Good info! I'm about to do the same to my 2021 RAM 1500. I see you have a windshield sun shade. I highly recommend Weather Tech's custom fit sun shades. I just bought a complete set of 6, and love them. Very little light bleeds through. There are reviews in KZbin. No, they don't pay me.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I should look into those. I need them for our RV too.

[@ienjoiskating44]

Word of advice for anyone. Although not the correct way, zip ties make it much easier to install the controller bracket. I gave up after a half hour with the screws, got one in and threw on a zip tie and no issues since

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

It was so tough. I don't blame you for going that route.

[@Tillbilly]

Zipties make the job 100x easier

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Yes they do

[@kencwood1156]

Save yourselves 3 hours trying to mount the bracket. Get two self tapping screws that will fit through the mounting holes of the module bracket. Offset the bracket just slightly from the original mounting holes of the metal bracket under the dash and screw the module mounting bracket with the new self tapping screws into the metal bracket that’s under the dash. Only two screws are really required to secure it.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

That, is a BRILLIANT idea, wish I had thought of that sooner. That was a tough, long day getting those screws in there.

[@kencwood1156]

Thank you for posting the video. Your instructions and explanations were on point.

[@ramecodiesel8271]

I installed this yesterday on my 2019 Ram 1500 Classic 4th generation body style ecodiesel now I have to get to the dealer to have it programmed. Took me right at one hour to install it, I did not put in the third screw because I just could not contort myself to reach it. Two screws are more than enough to secure the bracket as there is a tab by the hard to reach third screw on the bracket you are installing that locks into the existing metal frame. I wonder why they just did not use screws that went in from the front instead of the back where it is very hard to reach. They could have used much shorter screws as well. A tip for those who install this once you get the screw started instead of turning it less than 1/4 of a turn until it is finally all the way in take a pair of pliers and turn the screw from the front were the screw is sticking through until it is all the way in then just use the wrench to finish tightening it. That will speed up installing the screws big time. You won't hurt the threads as it will turn easy enough with the pliers so you don't have to grip it hard.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I appreciate your detailed comment that has some great insight to help. How are you liking that Ecodiesel?

[@ramecodiesel8271]

@@TexasFamilyCamping I love the ecodiesel I am currently averaging overall 27.6 MPG that is combined city/highway with 60% city driving. I did purchase the Green Diesel Engineering Hot Tune/Trans Tune two weeks after I bought the truck and installed it right around the 1,000 to 1,100 mile mark. The GDE tune really solves the issues people complain about with the ecodiesel. It is nice getting 27 MPG from a 1/2 ton pickup truck. My best fuel run was 150.3 miles and averaged 32.07 MPG. All my fuel runs are fill ups hand calculated. The 32 MPG was a lunch run up and back.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

@@ramecodiesel8271 Wow, I love how much thought and calculations you put into it all. I haven't seen numbers that great for me since my Pontiac Grand Prix. We got a Hyundai for our son that gets 37 mpg, but it's not going to pull anything anywhere. Have you towed anything with your Ram? I'm curious how those numbers are. Our Hemi gets about 18 MPG when we are empty, and about 10 mpg when pulling a 4700 pound travel trailer.

[@ramecodiesel8271]

@@TexasFamilyCamping I have not towed anything but others are getting around 15 MPG to 16 MPG towing.

[@jacobreimer7050]

Good job I’ll be tackling that on my 2016 I just bought. Wouldn’t it work to rivet that bracket on?

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

How did it go? Did you rivet the bracket in? I'm not a fan of rivets

[@smith0523]

cool guy

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Thanks Ray

[@Hemidakota]

Don't forget to bring plenty of towels for surface prevention scratching. So can I do this to my 4x2 model?

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

This was a 4x2 model that I did this on.

[@waltercastro2015]

Mine is a 2018 ram 1500 tradesman. I wonder how this will work on the dashboard board selections since my radio is basic no touchscreen 🤷‍♂️.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Have you tried it out since you left this comment?

[@charles6905]

After I installed my oem trailer brake system I took truck to dealership I bought it from to get flashed. Dealership wanted 225.00 just to do it. Bought a obd reader and did myself in less than 5 minutes

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

That's awesome. If they asked that much from me I probably would have done the same.

[@Hemidakota]

Which OBD Reader did you purchase?

[@tpike46w]

do u need to take the lower center console off to actually remove the radio bezel?

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Yes

[@chrisw.1591]

Do you mind sharing how much it cost to have the computer flashed? I know it can differ from dealer to dealer. Just trying to get an idea.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

$100 flat. I heard that from multiple Mopar locations

[@vickidaley8648]

Were you holding the camera with one hand and doing things with the other there for a while?

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I sure was

[@RoadtrippinwithTakacs]

Lol. Mrs. Doubtfire center console man? 😂Ragging on the Ram. 👍 I would have totally messed up this install. How long would it have taken Geordi La Forge to do all that? This was very in depth and technical, dude. Well done. Maybe you can walk me through my bearing greasing on the trailer this weekend I will attempt. 😀

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Geordi would have made Wesley do it. And I was just thinking you should show me how to pack some bearings.

[@RoadtrippinwithTakacs]

@@TexasFamilyCamping Hehe. I'll list the steps I decided on. Step 1: Drive the RV to the dealership. Step 2: Drop it off. Step 3: Pick it up next weekend. It's so easy! 😂

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

@@RoadtrippinwithTakacs Man, I thought we were gonna legit get a video of you packing some bearings.... oh well. I think you gotta ask yourself, "what would Geordi La Forge do?"

[@kylecampbell3]

I think im going to install this but use a 2 sided adhesive tape. Wont go anywhere.... and will do the job.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I contemplated using some adhesive, but I was able to get 2 screws in and it was really tight. It just took me 4 hours, that's all, LOL.

[@jefferysteele6573]

When you took it to the dealer to get it activated how much was that roughly?

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

$100

[@chaunster]

The 110v vs 115v vs 120v isnt the issue for your electric chainsaw. It is the wattage rating. Your powertools pull too much amperage for that little inverter. It is really only meant for like a laptop charger. Or air mattress pump

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Good to know, thank you. I figured that's what they were going for, just a little disappointed, since so many guys out there use their trucks for jobs, like construction jobs. But oh well.

[@chaunster]

@@TexasFamilyCamping i use mine to charge up batteries for my Milwaukee tools. Works good for that

[@LoveSaintBernards]

Wow, quite an accomplishment. Convinced me to have the dealer install it. Any idea what the cost would be?

[@ordinarycat9881]

I literally just got off the phone with the dealership and they quoted me $854. Then I came here 🤣

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

WOW $854??? that's quite a bit. Now I feel even more accomplished that I did most of the work and paid $100 for them to just flash it.

[@ramecodiesel8271]

Wow, went to the dealer to get the trailer brake controller activated in the system this morning and they charged me $183.54 ouch. All for 30 minutes of their time. I don't mind paying a fair price but that was just robbery. I have the AlfaOBD software and the OBDLink MX+ along with the a security gate bypass kit but for some reason the AlfaOBD would not activate the brake controller so I had to go the dealer route.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

That is a bit much. So, now that you have this, what are you going to tow?

[@ramecodiesel8271]

@@TexasFamilyCamping I don't have anything that has electric brakes my boat trailer has hydraulic brakes on it. But I want the ability to tow a trailer with electric brakes when or if needed.

[@tristanhunter6357]

That bracket is an absolute pain in the ass.

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

Yes, yes it is. It took me hours to get that bracket done

[@TheSpeedSpecialists]

The same engineer that decided to have a bracket is the same one who decided to not put spare tires in the cars and use an overpriced can of fix a flat instead

[@TexasFamilyCamping]

I do not disagree with you there