2011 F350 integrated trailer brake controller

[Rick and Mindy]

I've had the Titan Disk brakes installed but with the 2011 F350 Integrated Brake Controller I seem to have a hesitation when using my brakes. According to Ron (Titan Guy) he has experienced this problem with only the 2011 F350 and not with all the 2011's. I do have brakes, just that annoying hesitation unless I hit the brakes hard. Ron told me that several of the affected vehicle owners resolved the issue by installing an aftermarket Prodigy 2 or 3 controller. If anyone else has experience this issue and resolved by installing the aftermarket controller I would like to hear from you on the results, and how it affects your truck. Does it affect the diagnostics with the IBC or does it just say "No trailer connected"? How difficult was the install of aftermarket? I would like to resolve this as it is a real annoyance when traveling.

[5th_Time]

I had same thing in my new GMC when I picked up my Redwood. The symptom was same as yours when using factory brake controller.
People told me to get the P3 also but I wanted to use the factory controller.

Carlyle (who made the disc controller at the time) told me to get the HBA-CAM module which they said was developed for the Ford controller but also works on GMC. The unit provides feedback to the factory brake controller that electric brakes are connected - even though they're actually disc. Took about 20 mins to install.

Last I looked, the unit only cost around $125 so it's a cheap attempt. It is still working well on mine.

[Rick and Mindy]

Mike, do you have an item number or a purchase place? I know Ron's guys installed some kind of module on mine but it doesn't take care of the hesitation.

[5th_Time]

Rick, go to etrailer.com and search for Hydrostar HBA-CAM. Couldn't find it on Amazon.

[piper guy]

Rick - dumb question. The truck controller was changed from electric to electric/hydraulic, right.
If it is set on electric it will do just what you described. When mine were installed they forgot to change it and I had the same situation.

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Rick - dumb question. The truck controller was changed from electric to electric/hydraulic, right.
If it is set on electric it will do just what you described. When mine were installed they forgot to change it and I had the same situation.

Yes, it is set for EOH. I've tried both settings and the brakes seem to operate the same. I have not tried disconnecting the module that was installed but Ron seemed to think that would not change anything. The issue apparently is only occurring with the 2011 F350, but not all of the 2011 F350's.

[RV4us2]

I had a different symptom with my factory disks. Turned out the Hydra-Cam was an older model. The dealer changed it out with a "new" older model. It worked long enough for me to get out of town (Memphis) so I drove all the way to California with minimal brakes. I called HydraStar, and they told me the older CAM did not talk correctly with the on-board controller on my 2015 GMC. I got the new one (2-wire) CAM and it works like a charm now. I would suggest Rick & Mindy you call HydraStar. They were super friendly and helpful with my situation. If it turns out you need the older 4-wire model, I will ship it to you (or anyone else). Price....A cold one some day.
HydraStar Ph. 812.655.4544 | Fax 513.202.0079
www.hydrastarusa.com

[almcc]

Just another comment, and not meant to be negative towards Ron.

We have a 2011 F-450 and we hauled two Titaniums with disc brakes prior to moving to a Redwood. The Ford is an early build and basically similar to the 350 except for the tow rating and rear end.

The newer Titanium had a delay similar to what you describe and it took a number of brake bleeds at the dealer to completely eliminate the delay, they bled, road tested bled again etc, turned out to be air in the lines, not the truck or the disc brake power pack.

With the Ti, I'd hit the brakes, with the delay I'd hit harder then after the delay the trailer brakes would grab hard, almost stopping the wheels.

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by almcc

Just another comment, and not meant to be negative towards Ron.

We have a 2011 F-450 and we hauled two Titaniums with disc brakes prior to moving to a Redwood. The Ford is an early build and basically similar to the 350 except for the tow rating and rear end.

The newer Titanium had a delay similar to what you describe and it took a number of brake bleeds at the dealer to completely eliminate the delay, they bled, road tested bled again etc, turned out to be air in the lines, not the truck or the disc brake power pack.

With the Ti, I'd hit the brakes, with the delay I'd hit harder then after the delay the trailer brakes would grab hard, almost stopping the wheels.

That's very similar to what it feels like to me. When they grab, they grab. Question..........when you activated the brakes with the manual slide on the IBC did you experience the same type of delay and grab?

[almcc]

I didn't try to check the manual activation, I would think if it did the same thing on manual it is a bleed problem, just a guess. You may also want to try on manual just standing still and have someone else check for the power pack running immediately when you activate. Assuming the Ford electronics don't activate the brakes because it detects you are not moving, and the power pack spools on manual and you still get a delay then I would check the bleed for air.