Integrated Brake Controller - retrofit?

mitchntx · May 30, 2013

I have a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Max Trailering package that has no IBC. Maybe that's not a part of the NHT group, but it should.

At any rate, can I buy the IBC parts and retrofit them to the truck?

I had a Prodigy in a 01 GMC 2500 and it worked great. But after having a truck with an IBC, it just seems to work so seemlessly and there is no "pod" hanging down to whack your chin on.

MikeNH · May 30, 2013

Not possible unfortunately.

AgDoctor · May 30, 2013

I can confirm what Mike said. Sorry

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Beer Belly · May 30, 2013

Not possible unfortunately.

I was also told that by my salesman.....but I also don't have the max towing pkg......my purchase was unplanned, and had to pick what they had on the lot, otherwise I would have bought an entirely different truck.....with the IBC

mitchntx · May 30, 2013

IBC is one of the features that really makes a difference while towing a heavy load.

Knepp1bj · June 10, 2013

the prodigy i had in my 12' 1500 i never hit with my shin. in fact i took it out last week when i traded to my 1500, prodigy controller 2 months old.

i am wondering if i can by pass the oem IBC and use the prodigy on my 2500?

louie730 · June 11, 2013

Why would you want to do that? The OEM IBC is by far the better unit. I used the Prodigy in my 2010 Silverado 1500 shop truck and it works great but not near as well as my personal truck ( 2009 Silverado) with the OEM IBC. I would never buy another truck without it if I plan to do any heavy towing. Really there is a difference using the factory system. It is not a night and day difference if you use a quality controller like the Prodigy but still very noticable. Try the factory system a few times and you will see what I mean.

Knepp1bj · June 11, 2013

what makes the factory so much better? one reason i was thinking going back to the prodigy was it offers more settings than factory, which is 1-10, on a .5 system, the prodigy offers more.

i will be testing it out 4th of july weekend for sure.

louie730 · June 12, 2013

According to the owner's manual the IBC is tied into the truck's computer and works with the anti-lock brakes, the stabilitrack system and all other systems that work with the braking of the truck and trailer.

It is a total integrated braking system. It makes the trailer brakes part of the truck's braking system as if the trailer and truck were built together as far as this is possible. It really works good for me.

mitchntx · June 15, 2013

So in the Prodigy world ...

Lets assume an 13 1500 Max Trailering package, 8K lb trailer, dual axles, electric brakes.

IQ, P2 or P3 and why?

Chris · June 15, 2013

I have a 9300 pound tandem axle toy hauler with electric brakes. The dodge has a P2 my sierra has a P3. Both worked. I prefer the P3. First tried it Wednesday. The P3 is easy to use and adjust. It can also save multiple trailer settings

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mitchntx · June 15, 2013

I have a 9300 pound tandem axle toy hauler with electric brakes. The dodge has a P2 my sierra has a P3. Both worked. I prefer the P3. First tried it Wednesday. The P3 is easy to use and adjust. It can also save multiple trailer settings

So a P3 is convenient for a trailer whose load would significantly vary in weight

P2 can work with E/H brakes

IQ is for electric only.

In a nutshell?

music · June 15, 2013

According to the owner's manual the IBC is tied into the truck's computer and works with the anti-lock brakes, the stabilitrack system and all other systems that work with the braking of the truck and trailer.

It is a total integrated braking system. It makes the trailer brakes part of the truck's braking system as if the trailer and truck were built together as far as this is possible. It really works good for me.

Trailer brakes are electric, have no left/right control, and respond much slower than on-board hydraulics. They can't possibly modulate them for "control" like they do w/ ABS, traction control, etc. They can apply them using their own logic, though, which is definitely an improvement over aftermarket systems. The Prodigy is a gyro based unit, sensing deceleration rate... and works incredibly well compared to the "timer" based systems. An integrated system that watches speed, brake force, etc. to determine trailer brake action allows much more direct control, so it should respond better to a wider range of conditions. For example, a gyro based system may not perform well during long/slow descents, since it can't "sense" the conditions very well.

That said, I don't recall any situation where my Prodigy has failed to perform well. If buying a new truck, I'd want the IBC for sure, especially for the ~ $200 price.

MikeNH · June 15, 2013

The new ones have trailer sway control as well. That started in 2012.

music · June 15, 2013

The new ones have trailer sway control as well. That started in 2012.

Makes sense. Applying trailer brakes, so that it slows the truck down from the rear, will stop the sway. Having the computer do it would be *much* better than reaching for the controller. I've never experienced real sway with the campers I've owned, but I credit that to good camper design (heavy tongue) and a good hitch system/setup.