early 05 brake controller
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
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The later versions (2006/2007 model years) were redesigned so that they WOULD lock the trailer wheels when stationary, as this is the Federal DOT's testing procedure on roadside vehicle inspections.
Owners of the affected models were supposed to have been sent letters advising them of this, and what to tell (and show) the DOT inspectors when they were inspected.
The general consensus around here was that you got full trailer braking once the doors auto-locked; that was enough speed to get the things to work right.
-blaine
Owners of the affected models were supposed to have been sent letters advising them of this, and what to tell (and show) the DOT inspectors when they were inspected.
The general consensus around here was that you got full trailer braking once the doors auto-locked; that was enough speed to get the things to work right.
-blaine
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the info. If you find out if I can replace my early brake controller with an 07 or later controller let me know I sure would like to have the upgraded version for the slider hitch.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
The later versions (2006/2007 model years) were redesigned so that they WOULD lock the trailer wheels when stationary, as this is the Federal DOT's testing procedure on roadside vehicle inspections.
Owners of the affected models were supposed to have been sent letters advising them of this, and what to tell (and show) the DOT inspectors when they were inspected.
The general consensus around here was that you got full trailer braking once the doors auto-locked; that was enough speed to get the things to work right.
-blaine
Owners of the affected models were supposed to have been sent letters advising them of this, and what to tell (and show) the DOT inspectors when they were inspected.
The general consensus around here was that you got full trailer braking once the doors auto-locked; that was enough speed to get the things to work right.
-blaine
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 4
From: AZ
can't find a ""letter" but the complaints are plenty
8/30/2006 - LAWRENCEBURG, KY
I WAS BACKING LOADED TRAILER DOWN INCLINE TOWARD POND; "TOW COMMAND" TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE 2005 F-350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK, WITH WHEELS LOCKED, WAS DRAGGED BACKWARD TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE POND BY WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER AND ITS LOAD; TRAILER AND TRUCK STOPPED BEFORE REACHING EDGE OF POND. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT OTHER TIMES, INDICATING THAT BRAKE CONTROLLER DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING IN REVERSE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER, WHO SAID THEIR CHECKS INDICATE THE CONTROLLER IS WORKING ACCORDING TO FORD SPECIFICATIONS AT THE DATE OF MANUFACTURER IN SEPTEMBER, 2004, THOUGH A NEW VERSION OF THE CONTROLLER APPARENTLY HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON LATER MODELS, BEGINNING AROUND MARCH OF 2006. THE DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE THUS FAR REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CONTROLLER WITH THE UPDATED VERSION AND MAINTAIN THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE PROOF THAT THE CONTROLLER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.
8/30/2006 - LAWRENCEBURG, KY
I WAS BACKING LOADED TRAILER DOWN INCLINE TOWARD POND; "TOW COMMAND" TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE 2005 F-350 SUPER DUTY TRUCK, WITH WHEELS LOCKED, WAS DRAGGED BACKWARD TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE POND BY WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER AND ITS LOAD; TRAILER AND TRUCK STOPPED BEFORE REACHING EDGE OF POND. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT OTHER TIMES, INDICATING THAT BRAKE CONTROLLER DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING IN REVERSE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE SELLING DEALER, WHO SAID THEIR CHECKS INDICATE THE CONTROLLER IS WORKING ACCORDING TO FORD SPECIFICATIONS AT THE DATE OF MANUFACTURER IN SEPTEMBER, 2004, THOUGH A NEW VERSION OF THE CONTROLLER APPARENTLY HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON LATER MODELS, BEGINNING AROUND MARCH OF 2006. THE DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE THUS FAR REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CONTROLLER WITH THE UPDATED VERSION AND MAINTAIN THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE PROOF THAT THE CONTROLLER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I live on the Muskegon river between Croton and Hardy dams in Michigan.My driveway runs down hill to the side of my house then another 10 ft to the lake. The water is about 25 feet deep drops off fast.I would not dare drive my rig down with the stock Ford controller. It would push me in for sure. I am glad I found this out and replaced it with an aftermarket it could have been a disaster for me. I ordered this truck Ford never sent me anything about the problem .Time for a new truck in 2012 not sure what I will buy lost a lot of confidence in Ford.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 42
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Trailer Braking
I am in Ontario and found trouble setting the slider (reese)16,000 I think that's the # till I started useing some spray lube the Syilacone spelling ?type in a can.On the raills made a working girl again .You should try it nothing to loose Mine was dry and did not slide does easly now.My brakes have to be set up a bit on the box also for the back up change of hitch I have a 2005 S.D.250 oil burner 28,000 miles just bought off a estate Yes 28,000 miles and never seen snow or driven in winter she is a 4x4 short box HID lighting and came with a hitch and tail gate.Love the Truck pulls great I have a 2003 33' Cedar Creek 5th Wh. but uses the fuel about 14mpg under load ....Hope this helps You ...Good luck Bushman
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Thanks, for the info.I do love the way it pulls I pull a Jayco Designer RL 31 A couple of trips to Alabama and back to Michigan and a trip to Rio Grande Valley south Texas averaged between twelve and half and thirteen and a half but to get that I have to run about 65 big difference when I push it over 70 only get about 16 to 17 empty. since I have the early early controller the brakes do not work at all to lock the trailer to pull the slider hitch to the back position. wish I only had 28,000 miles
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Claytonc,
My early model 2005 F250 TBC was the same as yours. I opted to replace it with a 2006/2007 unit off of Ebay. They swap right out. Same units, just different firmware. They literally pop right out. Unplug from the back, and push out. Plug the wires into the replacement unit and slide back in. 10 minutes tops. I now have FULL lockup when parked, and the paddles work at any speed.
My early model 2005 F250 TBC was the same as yours. I opted to replace it with a 2006/2007 unit off of Ebay. They swap right out. Same units, just different firmware. They literally pop right out. Unplug from the back, and push out. Plug the wires into the replacement unit and slide back in. 10 minutes tops. I now have FULL lockup when parked, and the paddles work at any speed.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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WOW this is what I was waiting to hear.Someone that has done this before.Sounds like its plug and play no re-programing Thanks for the update.I think it will be worth a try. do you have a part # or info of where or who you purchased from ?
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16
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Clayton C,
Yes. Mine was definitely plug and play. The first units didn't actuate the brakes under 10-15 mph. So the paddles wouldn't lock the brakes at a stand still. There were enough complaints that Ford had the firmware tweaked in the later units. It's the same controller, just different strategy. You will need one from a wrecked 2006/2007. Not sure if the 2008 models were the same or not. Mine was from a parted out 2006, that showed up on Ebay. Changed it back in late 05. Love it. You could always install an aftermarket, but I wanted one that was tied into the trucks' computer. Integrated controller is better in my opinion, as my truck was set up for it. Check the junk yards, or local body shops for used OEM parts. Changes out just like the stock radio. Slides right out and back in. If you ever have a problem with the - button not working, drop me a line. It's not a controller problem. It's the faceplate, and there's a tweak for that also!!! In fact contact me when you find another unit, and I'll explain how to fix the faceplate BEFORE you install it.
Yes. Mine was definitely plug and play. The first units didn't actuate the brakes under 10-15 mph. So the paddles wouldn't lock the brakes at a stand still. There were enough complaints that Ford had the firmware tweaked in the later units. It's the same controller, just different strategy. You will need one from a wrecked 2006/2007. Not sure if the 2008 models were the same or not. Mine was from a parted out 2006, that showed up on Ebay. Changed it back in late 05. Love it. You could always install an aftermarket, but I wanted one that was tied into the trucks' computer. Integrated controller is better in my opinion, as my truck was set up for it. Check the junk yards, or local body shops for used OEM parts. Changes out just like the stock radio. Slides right out and back in. If you ever have a problem with the - button not working, drop me a line. It's not a controller problem. It's the faceplate, and there's a tweak for that also!!! In fact contact me when you find another unit, and I'll explain how to fix the faceplate BEFORE you install it.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 42
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Brake Controler
Just a little info.please My 2005 f250 has Tow haul and a brake control under the dash I think a after market a Tekonsha Voyager where is a factory control mounted? in dash or under? Is it under if so a black box with a name as above or what I just was looking at mine and just would like to know it seems to work Ok but after reading some of the faults with the factory units I will change it out for I pull a Big 33' 5th wh.Thanks in advance Bush
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Just a little info.please My 2005 f250 has Tow haul and a brake control under the dash I think a after market a Tekonsha Voyager where is a factory control mounted? in dash or under? Is it under if so a black box with a name as above or what I just was looking at mine and just would like to know it seems to work Ok but after reading some of the faults with the factory units I will change it out for I pull a Big 33' 5th wh.Thanks in advance Bush
and if you didnt already have one in the dash you will need a few other components