Brake controllers Question - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brake controllers Question

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were experiencing a similar issue. Turned out the plug in from the trailer to the truck kept wiggling loose. Not enough to be completely disconnected, but not enough to be consistently connected either. Simple fix and problem stopped.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom,

Jo and I are recent owners of a Mobile Suites fifth wheel, thus we don't have a lot of answers for you. However, since the Mobile Suites are also electric over hydraulic, this topic has been discussed on a couple of different forums that I frequent.

I have two links from one of those forum sites, one entitled SOITC (or Suites Owners International Travel Club). The other forum is one entitled Fifth Wheel Forums, although there is no link to a topic on that forum. Partly because Fifth Wheel Forum's search feature is very broad and picks up over a hundred different threads, but not necessarily related the the controller.

From SOITC:

http://suitesowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453&highlight=brake+controller

http://suitesowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453&highlight=Ford+Integrated+Brake+controller

While I didn't read through all of the entries of the two links, it may still be of help to you.

DRV Suites, the manufacturer of the Mobile Suites, has gone to a system with a company called Carlisle. With that system on the fifth wheel, we purchased an "adapter" called something like HBA Cam which is supposed to make the electric over hydraulic conpatible with the Ford integrated controller. Prior to putting that adapter on, we got the same error message. We have pulled the fifth wheel only about 40 miles since the adapter was added, but we haven't seen the error message since.

Good luck with your looking.

Terry

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

It may not pertain to your situation, but on the Carriage forum some members have had compatibility problems between the Ford system and Mor Ryde disks. They had to get different auxiliary controllers.

When ever we have had that signal, it's been a wiring problem, once a ground wire under the truck and once they had to replace the plug and socket.

Is it all the time, or sporadic? If it's all the time then it may be compatibility.

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

My system has been checked at both the Ford dealer and Newmar and both say the wiring is OK. I read these posts and have learned that the Dexter system should work. I do have manual control with the IBC but low or no control with truck brakes. I believe using the vehicle brakes, message is happening at certain low vehicle speeds all the time. Usually exiting a freeway or approaching a red light and as tow haul shifts the trans down. I will try to getting a more positive connection at the pigtail in bed plug. Should I use any electric lube to aid in connection? What are the voltage outputs supposed to be for the 7-pin connector? If my manual control works...I don't know why the vehicle brakes don't. Are they different circuits? A whole lot of questions and not skematic to verify system...Thats my concern. How are these guys checking it out? Thanks for listening...

Camper_Boy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok, now I have some solid advice from the guy at Dexter actuator, the company that mfg the controller.

He told me the output to the actuator should be 3-12volts during vehicle speeds of 20-30mph. That being said this is a speed generated or controlled output. Now the issue is actually doing just that. He recommended getting another 7-pin plug and run a wire(trailer brake Blue wire and ground wire) into the cab to a volt meter. I'll have to get that set up and let you know what I find.

On another note I did contact Ford Customer Service and log a concern about this braking incompatability and the message 'trailer disconnected' on the message display. If you are having this issue, it is necessary to log a call to them in order for Ford to go back to the design people and develop a repair or kit to repair this faulty situation. If enough complaints are logged (someone said 3 was enough) then they will react.

Using this forum is a great tool and hopefully we can fix this issue. I know most love their SuperDuty trucks...I love mine and want to believe Ford will listen. Thanks for all the advice.

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

In Feb of 07 I took delivery of an 08 F-450 with the IBC. Talked to Ford and logged a complaint as it wouldn't run the dexters on my trailer. Its a long story that a million people have repeated many times to anyone that would listen. There are lots of different "fixes" that have worked for various people but for me going to an aftermarket brake controller worked for me. I mucked around with the Ford IBC for months without success. It was way less frustrating just to bypass it.