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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
I took my truck with trailer to my local GMC service center. A service tech, that is an experienced RVer, took a test drive with my truck and trailer. After multiple gain adjustments, we agreed that 8.0 felt best and most secure.
We then hitched my trailer to a new 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC SB Duramax which is similar to my truck, except mine is a 3500 and has the Z71 package. We took it out on the same route and performed the same tests. It too had the best braking with my trailer with the gain set at 8.0.
I do not know why, but the brake pedal felt "mushier" and had more travel than my 3500.
The braking response with both GM trucks with the ITBC were similar, but not as smooth as my previous BrakeSmart controller. The GM ITBC only has gain adjustment. The BrakeSmart provided additional adjustments like initial brake constant and power factor, in addition to gain.
The tech felt that I had become accustom to a more customizable controller. The GM controller is acceptable to most people. He could not explain delay I observed with the brake pedal vs manual lever when stationary. The system is hydraulic brake fluid pressure based. He felt that additional motion sensors do not activate immediate signal to brakes if stationary. He has not had to repair an ITBC before.
They offered to disable the ITBC and install the brake controller of my choice at no charge. I will play with the current system and decide if I think I'd be better off with a different controller. Too bad BrakeSmart is no longer being produced. That would be my first choice.
A friend performed the same test with his GM truck with ITBC and had the same result. When the trailer wheels are off the ground and spinning, the manual controller works instantly and a 2-3 second delay when the brake pedal is depressed.
The service manager and techs at Classic GMC of Carrollton treated me with respect and Were very friendly and helpful.
My conclusion: The ITBC in my truck functions as designed. It is good enough to make most people happy. GM could take a lesson from BrakeSmart and increase the available adjustments and improve their ITBC. They also should provide better information to the consumer of how their current product functions. Even the techs are in the dark.
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drfife
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05/05/12 09:43pm |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
On ours ('11 2500HD) it is instant and we have the gain set to slightly lead the truck...trailer has never bumped us during braking.
I hope they can get mine to work like yours.
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drfife
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04/27/12 10:48am |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
I have a meeting scheduled with a local GMC dealer to check the ITBC.
The tech requested I bring the truck with trailer and he'll check the output and performance with his scanner in real time with the trailer attached.
Will keep you posted.
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drfife
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04/26/12 08:42pm |
Towing
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RE: Diesel vs gas......................
Gas and diesel suck! Electric is where it's at now....Go Green or stay home....
Donn't kid yourself, it takes some form of energy to generate the electricity. Those power plants pollute just like gas and diesel engines.
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drfife
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04/24/12 10:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
That must have been one heck of a bump Russell, to shear two of those bolts! :E Did it cause any handling problems during the event?
I have been fortunate in that I have never experienced the bump in the 6 years that I have had my Hensley. I have used a Prodigy controller all that time though, so that may be part of the reason. I did try that other controller for a short time but didn't care for the feel of it. I hope you find it is a fault of the truck and not the controller itself.
Barney
I was less than 1 mile from the park when I had to E-stop.
I did not notice the problem until I was unhitching. Luckily, I carry spare shear bolts.
I only had the "bump" once or twice with the Suburban with BrakeSmart. I towed over 60K miles with that lash-up.
I've already had a half dozen bumps with the new truck in 1500 miles.
I only had shear bolt breakage twice with the Suburban. Both were very sharp left turns in a turn around at the same place in a State Park that we've been to 10 times. I had numerous E-stops with the Suburban. I never had a shear bolt failure in an E-stop until last week with the new truck.
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drfife
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04/22/12 06:12pm |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
...From your description, correct to assume that the behavior has changed after that E-Stop?
No, I had concerns about the controller before the E-stop. It was allowing the infamous Hensley bump at stops.
The E-stop made me realize something was wrong and unsafe.
Hopefully, the fix is easy.
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drfife
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04/22/12 05:52pm |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
Here's an interesting article on the GM ITBC:
http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/attachments/exterior/29035d1307584784-battery-supply-trailer-plug-trailer-brake-control-system-2.pdf
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drfife
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04/22/12 04:01pm |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
Hi Russell
I'm now more interested in these integrated trailer brake controllers
than ever
Do you know what is the sense for the GM IBC? Is it a MC fluid PSI
sensor, or TV brake pedal switch sensed?
Ben, I do not know how the GM ITBC gets its information. I hope to find out.
I've been using a BrakeSmart for 7 years. In my opinion, it was the gold standard for brake controllers. Unfortunately, it is no longer being produced. As some of you know, I've had the opportunity to try many different trailer brake controllers.
The BrakeSmart used an inline brake fluid pressure sensor. I had to replace the sensor a few years back. Other than that, I have had no problems or complaints with the BrakeSmart.
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drfife
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04/22/12 02:53pm |
Towing
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RE: GM Integrated Brake Controller
Good afternoon Russell and welcome back to the forum!:)....Good to see you alive and posting here again!:)
Barney
Barney, thanks for the kind welcome back. Dropped off after encountering more hostility to my posts than I wished to endure.
I suspect there is a problem with the hydraulic fluid pressure sensor on my truck. I have a message into GM about my problem. I'll contact a local GM service center next week.
I was expecting the controller to deliver similar performance to the BrakeSmart. It has not lived up to expectations. If this is as good as it gets, I'll either buy a Maxbrake or remove the BrakeSmart from my Suburban and install it in the 3500HD.
When I had the panic stop and the trailer did not decelerate and broke the shear bolts on the Hensley, I knew I had a safety issue, not just an annoyance.
Thanks for the kind words, I'll keep you posted.
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drfife
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04/22/12 01:43pm |
Towing
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GM Integrated Brake Controller
I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 HD SRW Duramax with a GM integrated brake controller. I tow a 9,000 lb travel trailer. I've logged 1,500 miles towing since January 2012. I use a Hensley Arrow trailer hitch.
I set gain on the brake controller at 8.0 after following the set-up instructions in the owners manual.
Last weekend I had to perform a panic stop at 40 mph to avoid collision after a car turned left across my path. The force of the stop resulted in the shearing of two of the Hensley shear bolts on the left strut. I repaired the Hensley at the campground and our return trip was uneventful.
I adjusted the trailer brakes today. Very little adjustment was required. To verify they were functional I had my wife apply the brake pedal. There was a 2 to 3 second delay from application of the brakes in the truck to braking on the trailer wheels. If the manual lever was activated on the brake controller, the brakes applied instantly.
Is it normal to have a delay from truck braking to energizing the trailer brakes?
I have noticed that the trailer bumps the tow vehicle much more than my previous vehicle and brake controller.
I have towed the same trailer with an '02 K2500 Suburban with a BrakeSmart brake controller for many years and many miles. The BrakeSmart provided multiple adjustments to provide optimal, smooth braking. The truck and trailer truly braked in harmony.
The GM controller only has a gain setting.
Do I have a problem that needs to be checked by GM? Should I install a more sophisticated brake controller for my safety?
Thanks in advance for your advise and suggestions.
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drfife
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04/22/12 10:56am |
Towing
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