I have a 99 F250 and am looking to purchase a travel trailer and need a trailer brake controller. What is a good brand? Do I need to purchase anything else to install it? Also what chip would you recommend to help with fuel mileage

 

Without a second thought I'd go with Tekonsha and within their line the Prodigy. It's the closest there is to the integrated controller (in fact I had heard Tekonsha had a hand in Ford's integrated unit).

On your second part: you didn't tell us much on your truck; is it gas, diesel? We had a '99 4x4 F250 with the 7.3 PSD. I really liked the SuperChips Micro Tuner and I'd only run it on the Tow Safe mode. It really "woke" the truck up w/ better throttle response and far crisper shifts. I have read here on FTE and elsewhere that it can improve the life of your trans by reducing slipping.

The trans is not your strongest point on the truck but can be built bullet proof. Personally I'd go with a synthetic fluid and find yourself a clean 6.0 Trans cooler -- does a very nice job.

If yours is a gasser, well others will have to help you, but the trans cooler part still applies...

On edit: back to the controller: our '99 already had one, so I'm not sure if you'll have a plug-n-go set up. On our Expedition you just needed to buy the Tekonsha plug unit for your vehicle and it's a plug to plug set up (no wiring). Do you already have the 6 pin (or is it 7?) trailer plug back off the hitch or bumper? If so I bet you'll find the plug taped up under the dash... Oh yeah, I found the best deal for both controller and harness (Ford specific) on eBay last time I bought one...

 

I did the P3 version, seems to work great. I did get the specific cord to make it plug n play

 

I think our Prodigy is the P2 -- I think they're both available and I'm betting the plug is under the '99s dash (just need the adapter harness)