Hey Folks,

I am looking to rent a camping trailer in the next couple months, and the dealer requires that the vehicle has a 7 pin electronic brake controller. I have the tow package on my truck, but no brake controller. I was shopping around a bit, and see aftermarket for moderate prices, and the Ford OEM for quite a bit more.

A-Has anyone done this install? Difficult? I am a 4 out of 10 in tech skills
B-Do you recommend an aftermarket vs. the OEM? I like the clean look of the OEM, but not married to the idea.

I appreciate any and all input.

Thanks,
Craig

 

Keep in mind when you are looking at prices there are basically two different types of brake controllers, Time based and proportional. The Ford brake controllers are proportional. Time based controllers go for about $30-$70, And the proportional controllers ar in the $90-$150 range. I just ordered a Prodigy digital proportional controller with a wiring adapter for my 2010 F150 for $135 shipped from etrailer.com. My 06 Superduty had the factory brake controller and it is a very good unit. I don't think you can go wrong with the factory controller. Only reason I went with the Prodigy is price and I have heard nothing but good reviews about it on several different sites

You can go to the etrailer .com website and read more about the differences in the types of controllers. My 92 F250 has a time based controller and I absolutely hate it. If I had not bought the F150 it was getting replaced real soon

matt

 

The main reason to go with the Ford controller is it will integrate into the display on your dash as well as it fits perfectly in the spot on your dash. As long as you have a factory tow package the install is easy, however a computer reflash will be required for the system to work. It costs about $60 to get the reflash at the dealer.

The after market controllers are also an easy install if you already have the factory tow package. The disadvantages are the aftermarket units hang under the dash & they do not integrate with your display on your dash. The advantages are they are cheaper and you can do the whole thing yourself. The only aftermarket I've ever used is the Prodigy. It was a very good unit.

Matt had some good advise about the different types.

 

I added the OEM to my truck, the first OEM controller I have spent any time with. The physical install was easy, less than an hour. However, you have to have the dash/computer programmed to recognize the controller. I want to say that I found the controller for ~$150 and the programming was $139.

The function of the integrated unit is so far and above better than ANY aftermarket unit I have ever driven with. (I tow about 10-15k miles per year for work)

I would *never* go back to aftermarket if I had the option.

All that said - if you are looking at a very limited use of this camper/rental, I am not sure I would bother with the OEM. You can get a proportional controller with wire harness much cheaper and install it in about 10 minutes and be done with it.

HTH,
DaveW

 

I went with the factory controller. Fairly easy install and not very expensive. It's performance is great, it looks great in the truck because there's a place made for it on the dash, and it also links to your display options.

Programming is only $40-$60 (not $139) depending on which dealership you go to. Call around.

Here's one link of "how to install":


OEM isn't the only option though as said above.

 

Yes, I should have not been so absolute about that cost....in the St. Louis, MO area last summer, no one would touch it for less than $139 and that took a two week lead time to get in.

Knowing someone at a dealership would be helpful....

DaveW

 

The integrated is very easy to setup, will save settings for multiple trailers, and, most importantly, the manual lever is easy to reach if you need it. Until I had one, I would say it wasn't worth the money, but you could not pay me to go back to an aftermarket unit.

 

1000% agree. I have towed more thin the last 4 months of owning my F150 than 10 years of my Superduty. The factory controller with all the bells and whistles is far superior to any aftermarket one. Having the integrated sway control save you just once from an incident will totally justly any cost or time concerns.

Pros of factory system.

Sway control. Saves your *** when you hastily load your trailer wrong in a down pore and don't have enough tongue weight.

Progressive gain. Applies trailer brakes gradually based apon how hard you are pushing on brake peddle. No trailer lockup.

Saves multiple trailers brake gain settings.

Tracks individual trailer mileage. Nice for knowing how many miles are actually on your trailer.

Looks nice. Easy to reach surge levers.

Trailer brake app in dash automatically becomes active when trailer is plugged in.

 

Prodigy is a great controller as well. Works great for me.

 

The Prodigy P2 controller can be mounted inside the cubby hole in the trim panel. I just mounted mine Friday night, took about 30 minutes, only because I did not have everything i needed and had to get a couple of extra tools. i did a short write up and posted it here in the forum

Matt

 

if i was just renting a trailer, i'd just get the cheapest aftermarket brake controller i could find.

the chances of using it often, it seems, are slim, so why spend a bunch of money on something you are not going to use often.

just by asking the question, it seems you are not very familiar with brake controllers in general, so i'd just get a timed unit. no set up, no fussing around, just adjust the gain so that the controller doesn't lock the wheels, or yank you out of the seat, and you'd be fine.

I've had both timed and proportional. the timed units were fine, just a little jerky when you let off the brakes. proportional is better once you get it adjusted (leveled).

cheap timed unit. that's what i'd do, in your shoes.
but i'm the black sheep here.