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Originally Posted by syringa
HI to all . I am new to this forum and must say "What a help it is!!". I just took delivery of a 2008 32TK3 ser # 4005.. I am in the process of purchasing a 2008 GMC duallie with a integral brake controller.. Are there any issues with this controller setup?? II have heard of Ford having problems but can't find info on GM only that it says "may not be compatable with some elec/hyd brake systems". It is not convinient to try the truck on my fifth wheel before purchase so any info sure would be apprecated..
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Hi syringa,
Welcome to the forum. I have received a lot of help here too. And congratulations on the new 32TK3. Enjoy!
As Ponch mentioned, you did not say if your trailer will have hydraulic disc brakes or electric. The feedback I have is that the IBC controller works great for electric brakes. The brake works proportionally to the braking effort of the truck and no frequent gain adjustments are required. You should have no problems if your brakes are electric.
The IBC is not endorsed for use with hydarulic brakes - GM has stated this and Carlisle has retracted an earlier statement that endorsed the IBC for use with their HBA-16 acutator. Doubletree recently put out a statement stating the Ford and GM Integrated Brake Controllers are not compatible with the Carlisle HBA-16.
Some people are using questionable tactics to trick the IBC (e.g. placing a brake magnet in parallel with the hydraulic brake signal) to make it look like electric brakes. I hesitate to even mention this and definitely do not recommend it. A controller designed specifically for hydraulic brakes should be selected. Brakes are serious business.
Even when you do select an 3rd party controller there is another gotcha. It is necessary to cut the blue brake wire that goes to the IBC module located on the frame above the rear tires on the driver side. A new #12 wire must be run from the new controller to the trailer plug. The IBC module is by-passed, not bridged, so it is necessary to cut the blue wire coming in and going out of the module. GM does provide a 5-wire bundle under the dash that is blunt cut and ready for connection to the truck's 12V system, the 3rd party brake controller and the new brake signal wire to the trailer connector.
GM has put out a technical bulletin on this. It is intended for use by trained technicians and is a little cryptic but you can figure it out. It seems the most important message is that the work is done at the request and expense of the customer and is NOT a warranty item.
I ended up using a P3 controller because I was in a bind and it was available. It is working well enough that I will keep it until I can evaluate other 3rd party controllers. There are new controllers now available or will be soon. The P3 requires a horizontal installation - it must be pointed in the direction of travel and should not be tipped left or right. This would indicate it uses a decelerometer to determine and deliver the level of brake signal required. It is not easy to find a place on the new GM trucks where this can be done. I ended up placing mine on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. I used a clam shell mount I had on hand to allow this. The P3 does not have a flat surface anywhere on it which made mounting the unit difficult with anything other than what they provide.
I hope this helps. Let us know what you end up with.