Search the Community

I need some help with a problem setting up a Tekonsha Proddigy P2 brake controller on the new-to-us 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman Classic pickup we purchased a bit over a week ago. We are planning to tow an (also new-to-us) camper trailer with it, to our congregation's age-group camping in about 10 days. I purchased the Tekonsha Prodidy P2 brake controller, but got the wrong adapter cable (to connect it to the Ram's OEM brake controller wire harness connector). This is all new to me over the last week or so, but this PU we bought was built during the 5th gen era for Ram PUs, but it is basically a 4th gen. Chrysler, MoPar, or whoever they are continued selling the 4th gen PUs alongside the new model, which is longer, wider, tows a bit more, and has a whole lot of modern nonsense (my opinion) built into it as a "luxury PU" - my grandpa would have laughed at that one, since the only PU he ever owned was a 52 Dodge 3-quarter ton.) So since it's basically a 4th gen, which ran from 2009 through 2018, I bought the adapter cable indicated as for the 2009. The OEM connector is completely different. In fact, if my research is accurate, the following is a list of the different Tekonsha adapter cables for Ram 2009 through 2023: Tekonsha Brake Controller Cables - Compatibility 3020-P 2000 - 2009 Chrysler Aspen : Dodge Dakota, Durango, Ram : RAM Dakota 3021-P 2010 - 2012 Dodge Ram : RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 3023-P 2013 - 2014 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 3024-P 2015 - 2023 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 I should have gotten the Tekonsha part number 3024-P, but got the 3020-P instead. I figured I could make an adapter cable for the adapter cable, no problem. But there are other issues which are pointed out by (for one) a Jeep owner at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-trailer-brake-controller.8378/page-3. He says (if I understand him correctly) that if someone hits the manual brake over-ride lever on the controller when the trailer is not connected, it can "fry the vehicle's computer" and "your dash board lights up like a Christmas tree". It seems that the controller might in that case send voltage back to the vehicle's brake "switch", which in this case is actually the computer, which apparently can't deal with that. So the Tekonsha 3024 adapter cable has a in-line diode in that wire, only allowing voltage to pass from the brake section of the vehicle's computer to the controller, and not the other way. But I don't know what size of diode is required for that, and whether I can source on in the time I have left. (And also wanted to do a test run with the rig, in order to get the controller set correctly for this trailer, etc.) I would have gotten the 3024-P cable, but it was not available - out of stock. (I even tried to get it through the Tekonsha site, but it's listed as "in manufacturing", with no projected availability date. I have also not been able to establish for sure if the wire harness for the 2019 & following 5th gen Rams have the same OEM brake controller connection configuration as the 2019 & following Ram Classics, the continued 4th gens. Lots of videos & comments on-line do not clarify which model they are dealing with, the new Ram, or the Classic Ram.) Then I also read that a person should have an auto-reset breaker in the circuit, I think the wire that goes to the battery. Would the Ram already have something like that in the OEM harness? (Just for info sake, while I had at first thought that I would spring for the OEM brake controller, which mounts nicely right in the dash, I decided against it for several reasons, mainly that it requires that the vehicle computer is flashed/programmed - by the dealer. Also, it integrates the brake controller with the ABS system, an innovation I do not care for. Not only that, but it's also a good bit more 'bread'.) So, my main questions (unless I am missing something else) are about the diode, and the breaker. I would REALLY appreciate any help anyone can offer, as my time is running short on this. (Also, if anyone has a recommendation for a good Ram forum, that would also be a help.)