I thought about getting the Ford controller, but aside from being about double the price (or more), I don't think it will work with the display on my dash anyway. The trucks that come with it installed at the factory have a graphic display and you control the options on the steering wheel. My display is just the digital one. Even my dealer told me to save my money and get an aftermarket controller.

 

Once you have an integrated in-dash brake controller you'll like it as much as every one else who has one. If you go after market Tekonsha is a nice unit. I had that on my last truck and was perfectly happy with it. Just make sure they mount it in a place where you won't hit it with your legs or knees. I wonder if it would fit in the dash in where the factory unit goes? I hope you get some good Christmas gifts for your truck Are you adding a lid or bed liner?

 

The bed liner was already on the truck . Here's hoping my not-so-subtle hints to my husband and family for Christmas are well received!

 

Not true, or at least not on all years. I have the simple digital display, and it shows the TBC settings just fine, right where the trip odometer and fuel economy display.

 

Thanks for the input Cheapest I can find an OEM controller right now is about $180. I saw a video on youtube of someone who bought one and you still have to pay the dealer to activate it once you install it (his quote from about 2 years ago was $45 - $125 for them to install it for you if you bought the part).

I think I'll probably just stick with buying an after market controller and mounting it out of the way of my knees and use heavy duty velcro strips (like the ones I use to attach my EZPASS) instead of drilling holes in the dash. Since my shifter is on the steering column and not in the center console, I have plenty of room in the middle/underside of the dash to put it.

Again, thanks to EVERYONE on for their input and for being so welcoming to the group. I'm looking forward to posting pictures when I do get my new truck goodies and hook it up to a trailer the first time It's been a VERY long time since I drove my dad's 1990 F250 and pulled his boat with it, so some practice runs with my friend's horse trailer will surely be in my future before I do it on my own.

 

You can always use the "better to ask forgiveness than permission"! (I'm sure it works just as well wife to hubby as hubby to wife!).

 

I don't want to pile on, but I got the factory controller on ebay for 145 shipped new in the box. Install takes 5-10 minutes with an 8mm (or maybe it was 7) socket. I have a good deale relationship and I would be surprised if they charge me but will be happy to pay it (going in Monday to have it done). It's out of the way on the dash, othe units I've had in the past were always in the way and generally had to be screwed into the trim somewhere.

Any way just my .o2

 

I used the Prodigy P3 by Tekonsha in my '06 F150. Great controller. But I like the Ford IBC that my '05 SD had and my '08 SD has better. If I owned an '09 or newer F150 I would go with the factory IBC even though initial cost is higher.

 

That's a nice looking truck. Congrats! My vote would be for the factory controller. Some of our trucks at work that pull the heavy boats have the after market controllers and we have experienced problems with them from time to time.

 

I installed a Ford Controller on my truck, and it is well worth the additional cost.
And I am as tight as bark on a tree.

I have had 2 P3's and they are good, but not near as good as the Ford.
It will tell you when you lose the trailer wire connection, as well as all the settings are there in your little screen.