I am looking at purchasing the F-450 to pull a 5th wheel RV. I recently discovered that the '08 F-450 controller is not compatible with any RVs that have disc brakes. In order to make it work, an after-market contoller will have to be installed bypassing the computer. Anyone else heard of this?

 

I don't believe that....what's disc brakes got to do with anything? So long as they are electric brakes... with magnets. NOT hydraulic.

 

It is true, sort of. This is direct from the 2008 Ford Super Duty manual:

The Ford TBC has only been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles)
and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made.

It doesn't say it won't work with disc brakes, it just says it isn't verified to be compatible with the disc brakes.

 

Why would they do that ???

 

Ford set up a TBC to work with the brakes found on 95% of all the trailers out there. They are basically saying if you have a trailer with anything besides the common electrically actuated drumm brakes you're on your own for making them work properly.

 

Well the reason it will not work with "disc brakes" is that there are no electric disc brakes" all disc trailer brakes are hydraulicly actuated. The FMC TBC installed since 2005 in the SD has never been compatible with electric-over-hydraulic brakes. In fact most A/M brake controllers are Not compatible with electric-over-hydraulic brakes (or electric-over-air). The new Tekonsha P3 is one of the few brake controllers that will work with Electric-over-hydraulic brakes.

There are a few companies that make electric-over-hydraulic brakes that also make an adapter that will allow the FMC TBC to properly comunicate back and forth with electric-over-hydraulic brakes, but this is only available for 05-07 SD with the factory TBC. The 08 SD TBC has new software because of the changes to the ABS and Traction Control systems on the 08 SD so as of yet no aftermarket company is making and adapter that will let the 08 SD TBC commuicate properly with electric-over-hydrualic brakes.
www.tekonsha.com/p3.html

The FMC TBC is a very sophisticated brake controller that communicates with the PCM & ABS systems to provided proper braking control to the trailer. No stand alone A/M system comes close to this level of integration and operation. It is a superior system when used within its design parameters.

 

Here is a list of brake controllers that work with Carlisle electric-over-hydraulic brakes.

http://www.carlislebrake.com/pdfs/Co...%209-12-07.pdf

Note on the 05-07 SD with TBC an adapter from Carlisle is needed.
http://www.carlislebrake.com/product...roller_fix.php

Dexter electric-over-hydraulic are different so the above list is not interchangeable.

 

Thanks for the input on the TBC. I got the same LINE from the Ford dealer. It is a customer problem not Ford's. However, the RV in question is made by Doubletree with electric over hydraulic brakes. They tell me that until the '08 model Ford's TBC was compatible. Ford says no. Looks like I will be getting an A/M controller, if I want the F-450. Doubletree tells me they have a list of A/M controllers that will work. Still waiting.

 

Almo247, I would still order the Ford trailer brake controller on your truck. You can always unplug it and plug in an aftermarket one. I am sure that they will eventually come up with an adapter for the 08 like they did for the 05-07 trucks.

 

All F-450s come with the TowCommand standard, its only optional in the F-250/350s. All F-450s are also crew cab, long bed, diesel, duallys........

 

Here's a Faux Paux that is in the Ford Super Duty Sales Brochure. In my books that came with my 450, it states that the brake controller works ONLY on trailers with 4 wheels with brakes. In the brochure, they show a 5th wheel RV with "6" wheels, and they are circled and highlighted as a "feature" of the brake unit in the Tow command on the truck. Talk about miss communication !!!!

 

Actually the TBC is designed for trailers with electric drum brakes on trailers with up to 4 AXLES.
"Integrated trailer brake controller (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a fully integrated electronic Trailer
Brake Controller (TBC). When used properly, the TBC helps ensure
smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric
brakes with a proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake
pressure.
The Ford TBC has only been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles)
and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made."
Page 223 or 244 (depends on printing 1st, 2nd or 3rd) of the manual.
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../08f23og3e.pdf

 

Another option would be to swap out the discs on the 5er with electric drum brakes.

I put brakes on a single axle trailer for around $225 and that included everything, drums, brake assembly, bearings and etc.

Just an alternative if getting your current contoller to work is too much of a PITA.

Also I have the P3 and its an awsome brake controller.

 

Thanks for all the input. I think I understand now. Doubletree just emailed a list of brake controllers. The P3 is on the list.

 

A good friend of mine just bought a 08 F350 with TBC. He pulls an 08 36' YellowFin center console that sits on a trailer with electric over hydrualic disc brake (triple axle). He has a P3 controller from his previous GMC truck that we were waiting on a ford wiring harness to come in so that we could install it in the F350. We were told the factory TBC would not work with this trailer. Then the itch came to go fishing this past weekend. We thought we would just take it easy and tow without brakes this one time. (since we didn't have the P3 harness yet). So we hooked up and hit the road. When we got to the first red light, we both just about went through the windshield ( the TBC was on 10). I don't know if ford did something to make the newer trucks work with ele/hyd or this new trailer is designed to work with the factory TBC's, but it obviously works in our situation. Mike