Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Trailer Controller, how do you operate it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 03:35 PM
  #1  
DawnPatrol's Avatar
DawnPatrol
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 199
Likes: 3
Trailer Controller, how do you operate it?

Any quick tutorial on how to operate the trailer controller on my 06 F250 ??

Or is it easily explained in the owners manual (which I don't readily have with me at this time)?

Thanks
Alan from San Diego
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 03:55 PM
  #2  
jswartz84's Avatar
jswartz84
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 5
From: Roseburg, OR
Just plug in your trailer.

If you want harder braking from the trailer, press the + button until desired braking. If you want softer braking, press the - button.

The slide bar will actuate the trailer brakes without depressing the brake pedal
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 04:44 PM
  #3  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
If you can wait till a bit later tonight I have a
good how to setup the braking level. I just
don't want to do from memory.

Sean

EDIT: Found an online copy. Read this link

http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documen...2001-04-05.pdf
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 06:23 PM
  #4  
Bullitt390's Avatar
Bullitt390
Certified Thread Hijacker
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
Club FTE Silver Member

If I'm really picky I use a gravel road near me and drive about 20 mph and manually apply the trailer brake. I up the gain until the tires skid and add a little more for pavement.

Josh
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 07:11 PM
  #5  
04badford's Avatar
04badford
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,833
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
My add in brake controller has the slide bar and a roller depends on load, I roll adjust for stopping with out locking up the trailer brakes into a skid, take's a little playing around before you find the sweet spot with out sending you and your luggage to the dash I use the slide for Emergency's only like when some one Decides they want the same lane but slower and that's not a Thumb
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 07:38 PM
  #6  
diesel_dan's Avatar
diesel_dan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
How heavy a trailer do you have? For our horse trailer: about 6K with one horse and all camping supplies, etc. we set it 3-4. The Dump Trailer that I reluctantly sold last Friday, I'd go minimum of 6.

It is a pretty smart controller so you are really setting how fast and strong it reacts to normal braking. Stab the brakes and have the ABS kick in and it ignores what you have told it...
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 07:42 PM
  #7  
raptor131's Avatar
raptor131
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Club FTE Gold Member
Just know that the integrated does not function like any cheap aftermarket, read up here http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documen...2001-04-05.pdf
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 07:44 PM
  #8  
diesel_dan's Avatar
diesel_dan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
That link was a no-go for me.....
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 08:00 PM
  #9  
raptor131's Avatar
raptor131
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by diesel_dan
That link was a no-go for me.....
Try now
I had to fix it,
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 08:23 PM
  #10  
DawnPatrol's Avatar
DawnPatrol
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 199
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by diesel_dan
How heavy a trailer do you have? For our horse trailer: about 6K with one horse and all camping supplies, etc. we set it 3-4. The Dump Trailer that I reluctantly sold last Friday, I'd go minimum of 6.

It is a pretty smart controller so you are really setting how fast and strong it reacts to normal braking. Stab the brakes and have the ABS kick in and it ignores what you have told it...
Most of the time its a 3000# utility trailer for the ATV's

Once or twice a year its the big boat, around 9000#

Both of them have just the typical surge brakes.... is the controller good for any type trailer??
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 08:26 PM
  #11  
04badford's Avatar
04badford
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,833
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
As long as the trailer has brakes and plugged in they all work
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 08:48 PM
  #12  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Originally Posted by Yahiko
If you can wait till a bit later tonight I have a
good how to setup the braking level. I just
don't want to do from memory.

Sean

EDIT: Found an online copy. Read this link

http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documen...2001-04-05.pdf
Originally Posted by raptor131
Just know that the integrated does not function like any cheap aftermarket, read up here http://www.cvsa.org/programs/documen...2001-04-05.pdf

I take it you ran into the same problem posting that as I did.
The [TCB] in the URL mess with the way the server-side software
creates the display link.

I was doing it from my phone and it was a bit of a pain.
And the phone call right while I was getting ready to post it
really screwed up the input page.


Sean
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 11:27 PM
  #13  
diesel_dan's Avatar
diesel_dan
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by DawnPatrol
Most of the time its a 3000# utility trailer for the ATV's

Once or twice a year its the big boat, around 9000#

Both of them have just the typical surge brakes.... is the controller good for any type trailer??
Nope. Surge brakes are a whole different animal and you really need to know they are in good repair and working. When the tow vehicle slows, the pressure of the trailer pushing against the ball/draw-bar causes the master cylinder on the trailer to push hydraulic fluid to the brakes. They actually work pretty good when they work right.

TBC works with electric brakes on the trailer and can send a signal (more power) to the brakes, faster than the trailer even knows it needs to be slowing down, for instance, if your ABS kicks in it would do that.

Otherwise it just works the turn/stop/running lights on the trailer with surge brakes (like any other simple light hook up would)...
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2014 | 06:07 AM
  #14  
dannyboy950's Avatar
dannyboy950
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
As diesel dan said surge brakes are a different animal. The TBS controler does nothing at all for the brakes just completes the circuit for the lights.

The controler only works on electric brakes.
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2014 | 10:10 AM
  #15  
BPofMD's Avatar
BPofMD
FTE Legend
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by dannyboy950
As diesel dan said surge brakes are a different animal. The TBS controller does nothing at all for the brakes just completes the circuit for the lights.

The controler only works on electric brakes.
And some also run on electric over hydraulic.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:40 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE