Do you think Chevy/GMC will ever integrate the trailer brake on the truck like f**d has done? Why have they not done this already. They should know that many will use these trucks to pull heavy loads and trailers with. Why are they waiting??

I bet when the redesign it they will.

I would think so too, just wondering why it is taking this long? Never know, maybe they have something up their sleeves on this.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

Liability, development costs, lack of demand, never thought of it. Who knows.

I don't get why it's such a huge deal....

It's especially sickening that F**d came up with it and implemented it first. Snooze you lose. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif Wake up GM!

Doc,



Clue me in on what you're talking about. . . What does Ford do that GM doesn't on the trailer brakes?



Thanks,

Dennis

Doc,

Clue me in on what you're talking about. . . What does Ford do that GM doesn't on the trailer brakes?

Thanks,
Dennis



the 05 and newers fords have the option of a built in factory brake control.

It's especially sickening that F**d came up with it and implemented it first. Snooze you lose. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif Wake up GM!





Gm seems to have a hard time with this stuff. A perfect example is sunroof, homelink etc. They should have offered these things years ago.

Okay, I get it, I was thinking harness, so I was trying to figure out
how that was a big deal. The only problem with a factory one is
what if it isn't what you're looking for? Some guys like the
brakesmart, with hydraulic power, etc. Some like the Prodigy or
whatever comes to mind. . . factory is usually just one way, and (IMO)
usually they take the cheap way out. Without having seen it, and
knowing nothing about it, it is probably not as good as most
aftermarket controllers you can get for less. . . any opinions?



Thanks,

Dennis

Doc,Clue me in on what you're talking about. . . What does Ford do that GM doesn't on the trailer brakes?Thanks,Dennis


the 05 and newers fords have the option of a built in factory brake control.
I just had an after market brake controller installed and I'd much rather do that than have the factory mess it up. Apparently Ford is having some issues with the built in brake controller. All that hype and they don't get it right. I don't know the specifics of their problems but have read complaints from Ford truck owners.

It's especially sickening that F**d came up with it and implemented it first. Snooze you lose. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif Wake up GM!





Gm seems to have a hard time with this stuff. A perfect example is sunroof, homelink etc. They should have offered these things years ago.





Max,


Now you've done it, you've stirred my pet peeve with GM! GM needs to stop thinking of ways to cheap out; removing passenger side door lock, under hood light, glove box light, windshield sun shading, cheap A$$ shocks, and so many more!! Like you say, they are long overdue for some forward thinking for future mods that "the people" want, not what they think they can save a few nickels on. I feel a little better now. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

It's supply and demand. Until sales go down, I'm sure the bean counters at GM urge them to leave cost as far down as possible. As far as the Ford brake system, from what I've heard it integrates with the factory anti-lock and computer. It only makes sense that all the big truck manufacturers offer more than one type of factory installed brake controller.

The Ford brake controller isn't to everybodies liking. Some of the fifth
wheel guys appearently like to lockup the trailer brakes to check if they
are hooked up right. You can't do that with the Ford controller.

They made it with the prodigy folks and it acts more like the truck brakes
including the anti-lock part. It cetainly looks better inside the cab. I have
a Prodigy controller and it works fine and isn't much to replace when it
goes south. Doubt that will be the case with the one Ford supplies.

Seems like a factory look is all you would gain with something like this. I have a prodigy, and it is great, for me. I'm sure there are some folks out there that hate it, though, so why pin yourself into just one option. It would be nice to have a factory look for everything that is on the truck, but you know the old saying. You can't please all the people all the time.


Dennis

Ford, GM, and Dodge make additions to their trucks/vehicles every year to intice people to buy their product. If they put all of their eggs in one basket then the compatition would improve on what is out there and take the investors away.


I have not heard any bad things about the new controler, but with somthing new like this incorperated into these trucks it will have some glitches. Ford looks for inputs from the buyers to better improve on it, just like the problems they have had on their engines as well as GM. The public input makes a big deal into what they add to their next project. I also heard that Ford is incorperating toggle switches also. This would be a nice feature in that it is a pain to find the perfect locatoin that is not already taken up with cup holders or air vents.


It does suck that GM went backwards in 2003 with the removal of some items that we take for granted.

i would rather pick my own and not paya high price for a option that does not work to my liking and then have to change it too

Marketing...that's it...kinda like the new Hemi, hyped up marketing
BS....

Ox

What I hear the built in ford unit sucks. I rather use after market controler. I have 3 trucks and 4 differnt trailers. I rather have my trucks uniform. Its much safer that way, then to have a guy hop in a truck and try to figure what the set up is for the trailer.

I would rather they leave the decision of what trailer brake controller I want and need up to me, I just placed my order for the Brake Smart, which is on back order because they cannot keep up with demand.

If Fhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley35.gifd engineered the brake controller, don't let aFhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley35.gifd
tow vehicle (while towing trailer) stay behind you. You will be
taking your life into your hands. With anything else they seem to
have "engineered".....

I have to think a big factor in GM not including it is liability. There are a lot of people who will sue for anything, even when it was clearly thier fault, especially here in Sourhern California. It will be interesting to see how many people sue Ford because they don't know what they were doing when they tow and wreck and then blame it on the controller.

BuckeyeQuicky,


I just received my BrakeSmart last night. I order the unit on 10/26, so it took approximately 3 weeks to come in. I will install this weekend and have a 600 mile trip in the near future. I'll post my opinion after the trip.


MaxRock

the general is so busy now just playing catch up that you would think of them as behind the times looking at a v10 denalli with 5spd auto deeper box electric silder rear window and counterbalanced tgate so brake controler low on list

So I'm a "bean counter" at Ford looking for ways to pump guys money out of their pockets after the purchase! WTF would I do? Hey, let's put some "sole source" items/parts in these trucks that can only be repaired with Ford parts, jack up those prices, plus charge them out the nose for the repairs! lol $$$$$$ talks baby! Just wait til you are out of the warranty period!

What are the odds Ford did this just be beat GM and Dodge, pretty low IMHO! Like others have posted there are "the right aftermarket brake controllers for the right application" already on the market. Plus as the technology changes, Ford's built-in controller will not! Ford/GM/Dodge, build a strong, dependable engine and tranny in your trucks and leave the other stuff to the consumer! Just JJ's .02 cents worth! JJ

I have to think a big factor in GM not including it is liability. There are a lot of people who will sue for anything, even when it was clearly thier fault, especially here in Sourhern California. It will be interesting to see how many people sue Ford because they don't know what they were doing when they tow and wreck and then blame it on the controller.Come on do really think this would be the first thing people would jump on if they could sue.
People have tried and some have succeeded sueing these companies over seat belts, brakes, tires, and what ever they can. Just because it is a brake controler does not meen that it is a liability issue. GM has come out with other items before the other two. A five speed auto for these HD trucks is respect enough. Give them time to come up with more. Proof shows that plenty of people on this site have stepped up to the newer Duramax's just to be able to have the LLY, DVD, the Bose sterreo, or what ever it was that made them trade in there older one. And this is exactly what they want. Sales.