2019 Chevy IBC and Dexter Hydraulic Actuator

[FloridaFiver]

The Integrated brake controller in our 2019 Silverado 2500 would not work with the Dexter Electric / Hydraulic brake installed actuator in our 2020 3131 Legacy

When we hooked up to the trailer for the first time we got the “service trailer brakes” warning on our dash. We towed the trailer 300 miles without trailer brakes.


The IBC in our dash would not recognize the brake system on our trailer


I installed the Hydrastar HBA-CAM Ford/Chevy adaptor module


The documentation from Hydrastar indicates that the module is only for use with Hydrastar hydraulic actuators, but it solved our problems for the Chevy IBC compatability with the Dexter actuator


It works correctly now with no issues


Just putting this up in case somebody else has the same issue in the future


I understand that the 2014 and newer Chevy brake controllers will not work with electric over hydraulic brake actuators unless you have this controller.


I also understand that an old brake magnet wired in between the controller braking output wire and the common controller ground wire will also solve this problem for those who run into this issue.

We mounted the adaptor module near the Dexter hydraulic actuator on the trailer

Hope this info may help somebody in the future

[padredw]

I also understand that an old brake magnet wired in between the controller braking output wire and the common controller ground wire will also solve this problem for those who run into this issue.

Yes, indeed, this will work. I had a 2013 Chevrolet and when the Disc brakes were installed by a professional, the integrated brake controller would NOT work. I picked up an old brake magnet for $5 and my daughter and I wired it in (before the actuator) and it worked perfectly. Took about 10 minutes and five dollars.

[mhs4771]

FloridaFiver, there is something wrong with your controller. Starting with the 2017s the GM controller works with either standard electric or electric over hydraulic.
When we traded our 2011 Silverado for our 2018 I have since removed the CAM module and have no issues.
While using the CAM module is a work-a-round I would get things checked out before a complete failure.

[mazboy]

here is info on the 2020 braking system for GM: https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2020/0...snt-there.html


https://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/10...verado-sierra/

[77cruiser]

A friend of mine pulled mine with a 14 Duramax it worked fine. Not sure on the brand of hyd. pump, whatever MorRyde uses.

[rohrmann]

I believe they use the Hydrastar actuator.

[Rhortie1]

My integrated brake controller in my 2019 GMC would not work with my 2020 3120RL. I am in the process of adding an adapter and as a backup I bought a Prodigy brake controller that a friend had recommended. He had the same controller brake problem in his 2012 Chevrolet

[SanAji]

Newbies (Recently retired and first time 5th wheel owners) and I wanted to share our brake issues and what we did to resolve it. We recently purchased a 3121RL Legacy and a 2020 GMC SRW Denali 3500. When taking possession of the Monty we discovered that the brakes would not work. The RV dealership was clueless as well as the GMC dealership.

This Forum saved the day. I read about others experiencing the same issue and learned that installing a controller adapter that communicated between the TV and the Dexter actuator would solve the problem. So I reached out to Hydrastar and within a few hours the CEO called me and was very aware of this issue. I purchased a HBA-CAM 381-7073 Controller Adapter and installed it myself (very simple to do....connecting only two wires), and HURRAY, I now have brakes.

[Rhortie1]

Happy that this adapter worked out for you. I tried an adapter from Perfomance Trailer Braking and it did not work. I ended up installing the aftermarket Prodigy and ran a new blue wire from controller to plug and am now in business. The RV dealership(Beckleys in Frederick,Md)and the GMC dealership(Ideal in Frederick,Md)both claimed to know nothing about a problem, in my opinion they are all aware but just want to make sales. Safety takes second place.

[Preston & Terri]

Originally Posted by Rhortie1

..... The RV dealership(Beckleys in Frederick,Md)and the GMC dealership(Ideal in Frederick,Md)both claimed to know nothing about a problem, in my opinion they are all aware but just want to make sales. Safety takes second place.

Originally Posted by SanAji

...... The RV dealership was clueless as well as the GMC dealership.
.

I can believe also, since brakes are safety equipment, dealerships like that are reluctant to assume responsibility and liability if they deviate from OEM.

[SilverChuck66]

i am hearing the same type of issues with the 2020 GMC Sierra with the ITBCS not being compatible with the Montana Legacy disc brake system. I have been told i need to purchase an adapter kit from Dexter. My questions are (1) has this problem been brought up to the people (?) at GM/GMC, (2) What will adding this adapter do to the new truck warranty?? (3) who is anyone has had the adapter installed, by whom, RV dealer or GM/GMC dealership. I talked to my GMC service center manager and he know nothing of this mod being required.

I need the information as soon as possible, my 20201 Montana 3813MS is due in any day now and need to get the adapter installed i guess

Thanks all----i know i have posted this in the Keystone forum and i thought in here, but got my hand slapped for posting it twice in the Keystone forum. I talked to Keystone and they directed me to Dexter, so far heard nothing from Dexter.

Chuck

[Rhortie1]

I posted this problem on GMC Facebook page several times and was asked to message them with problems and not post it on their Facebook page and myGMC dealership is aware also. So yes they are aware just not doing anything about it. Montana manufacturing is aware also but they are both just saying the system is not compatible with all braking systems.Both truck manufacturer and trailer dealerships are claiming ignorance but both are aware. I installed an aftermarket brake controller and it works fine now. See my post above. No sense in fighting it, try the kit and if it doesn’t work then put in a new aftermarket controller like I did. It’s a hard pill to swallow after spending all that money on a new truck I know.

[SanAji]

I installed the Hydrastar on the RV, not the TV. So I would think the GMC warranty would not be impacted. The unit works great!

[rohrmann]

If the brake actuator in the trailer is a Hydrastar, then this could be the CAM device that is needed: https://www.hydrastarusa.com/product...dapter-module/

For the Brakerite actuator, this could be the proper CAM device: https://www.trailerandtruckparts.com...00_p_1470.html

I’m not positive about this, but I think either one should work, as they probably are nothing more than a resistor that fools the truck’s IBC into thinking it is hooked up to a trailer with electric brakes.

[mhs4771]

I had the CAM Module in my Trailer for the Carlisle Pump to work with my 2011 GM. When I upgraded to a 2018 GM I was able to remove the CAM Module and works fine. So it sounds like for what ever reason GM has taken away the ability for the Integrated Brake Controller to sense the different resistance between Electric Magnetic Brakes and a Electronic Hydraulic Pump.

[GreG L.]

My 2018 3500 works fine on my 2020 Montana. I was at a park in Fallon NV and the guy next to me had a 2020 Montana and a new 2020 3500 on a trial outing with the same break issues. We played musical trucks and mine worked on his but his would not work on mine, GM issue.

[DTH]

Please check GM bulletin PIT5509F. It covers 2015 - 2020 GM trucks and it provides correction for this condition. It does call for installing the CAM adapter. I have verified with my dealer and GM directly. Mine now works with the Dexter actuator. Good Luck.

[Theunz]

For clarity, are we saying the brakes don’t work with the brake pedal or with the dash mounted manual control?

[DTH]

My 2020 GMC would only give a brake malfunction warning and the trailer brakes would not work at all.

[padredw]

This is still worth a try. For $5 and 15 minutes DIY. If it doesn't work for you, you haven't lost much and can still buy the CAM. Old brake magnets can be found at any tire or axle shop. I am in my 80s and not "mechanically" experienced or inclined, but this was easy fix.

Yes, indeed, this will work. I had a 2013 Chevrolet and when the Disc brakes were installed by a professional, the integrated brake controller would NOT work. I picked up an old brake magnet for $5 and my daughter and I wired it in (before the actuator) and it worked perfectly. Took about 10 minutes and five dollars.