Integrated Brake Controller vs. Add On
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
+1 for the built-in. What a great brake controller. It seems like the majority of the issues with the built-in that I have seen anyway have been dirty connections. Once they were cleaned and protected, no issues. The other big issue was with a fuse. Once the bad fuse was found, no issues. I'm not saying there have been other issues, but those are the main ones I've seen. And I would agree with Frozen001 that the gain needs to be set higher, but that is only compared to my other one. I have mine at 6.5 and it works great.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
In addition to the above mentioned reasons, when your truck is in T/H mode the ITBC works with the transmission in a panic stop. You cannot even imagine how fast you can stop when you really need to stop, nor would you even believe me if I told you. You just have to experience the whole combination working together.
I was towing one of my early 60's full size Pontiacs in my 28 foot enclosed trailer when I had to stomp the brakes while doing around 60 MPH. The combo stopped so fast I was afraid the car would come through the front of the trailer and rear end my truck! Thank goodness I use 10k straps. My wife turned to me and asked how I did the downshifts so quickly. When I said the truck did that by itself, all she could say was, "Wow!"
I was towing one of my early 60's full size Pontiacs in my 28 foot enclosed trailer when I had to stomp the brakes while doing around 60 MPH. The combo stopped so fast I was afraid the car would come through the front of the trailer and rear end my truck! Thank goodness I use 10k straps. My wife turned to me and asked how I did the downshifts so quickly. When I said the truck did that by itself, all she could say was, "Wow!"
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
ITBC wins for me. Never used a high end aftermarket controller, just a basic one and it was junk. The adjustment was terrible, never worked right, and needed constant adjustment with similar loads. ITBC smooth as ice. It has definitely helped when people think that you can stop a 14k dump trailer with 6-8,000 lbs on it when they decide to turn right on red. Fun times. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I suspect the advantage of the built-in has to do with the pedal sensing the force with which it is being pushed, if I understand correctly. While an accelerometer is coupled to the speed with which the truck slows, it can not sense how hard the pedal is being pushed. In that regards, it is more like the old style controller that use to tie directly to the master cylinder. I am guessing the whoa pedal is tied to a transducer. Does anyone know?
Steve
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Thanks,
Steve
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Yup. And you can test this when you first hook up your trailer (plug it in). Press the brake and watch the reading increase as you press harder on the brake. I tell you, this thing works like a dream. It was a little hard to get used to, since my other brake controller (an older Tekonsha in my other truck) when you hit it, you felt the brakes on the trailer immediately "snap". Of course I got used to that, but this new one is quite a treat.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
This thread is great, I just traded up from a Nissan Titan with tow package and P3 Controller to an 08' F250 CC Lariat with the ITBC and could not decide wether or not to install the P3......decision made. Anyone interested in a P3 controller. lol
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
the interior may be identical, but total package is different
Sam
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
it depends on how you look at it...
all it takes is a drill bit and a tap to modify it...
the other way it only takes a plug.
as an engineer, I call that identical since one can be easily modified to replace the other, but can understand where some people wouldn't see it that way.
all it takes is a drill bit and a tap to modify it...
the other way it only takes a plug.
as an engineer, I call that identical since one can be easily modified to replace the other, but can understand where some people wouldn't see it that way.
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