Educate me on trailer brake controller
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2015
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Educate me on trailer brake controller
What is the benefit of having it on the dash, do I not have one of I don't get that option?
I will be towing probably once a month. Never towed much before and am not familiar with a trailer brake controller.
trying to figure out if I need that option. Thank you
I will be towing probably once a month. Never towed much before and am not familiar with a trailer brake controller.
trying to figure out if I need that option. Thank you
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 11
From: Billings, MT
Heavier trailers like campers and 5th wheels have electric brakes. These brakes are actiavted by your brake pedal. The harder you apply the brakes the more they apply the trailer brakes. The amount of braking applied is adjusted by the settings on the brake controller. You can also apply the trailer brakes independently by squeezing the paddles together. The more you squeeze the more brake that is applied. This can come in handy should you find your trailer skidding on slippery roads. You will know if the trailer you are considering has these types of brakes as they have the 7 pin connector. Boats and small trailers have 4 or 5 pins, are flat and have surge brakes if they have brakes at all.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 133
From: Burleson, Tx
You'll want a controller with that kind of weight and the trailer should already have brakes installed. Depending on where you live it may be unlawful to pull that without brakes.
I had the Tekonsha P3 controller in my last truck. Took it out to put in the F150 but after reading the OEM controller is actually very good. And it fits right in the dash. You can buy it on eBay and use Forscan to activate it, cheaper than having the dealership do it.
I had the Tekonsha P3 controller in my last truck. Took it out to put in the F150 but after reading the OEM controller is actually very good. And it fits right in the dash. You can buy it on eBay and use Forscan to activate it, cheaper than having the dealership do it.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 536
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ
A 20' car hauler will weigh in at 1200-1500lbs add the 5000lbs and your up to 6200+. That's a bunch of weight to stop quickly with just the brakes on the tow vehicle. Even if the trailer has brakes, and if your tow vehicle doesn't have a brake controller, the brakes on the trailer won't work. There are 2 reasons to have a electronically controlled braking device. 1- Emergency stops when you have to stop ! 2 - Wear and tear on tow vehicle brakes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
My 22' enclosed trailer weighed 3,500 lbs and had brakes on both axles, which it needed when the car was inside. I sold that a couple years ago & went with an tandem axle 18' open trailer (brakes on 1 axle). The open trailer weighs about 1,500 lbs from the factory. I added radial tires, spare tire, longer ramps & a winch so it's slightly heavier now. With my car the whole setup weighs just over 5,500 lbs. It needs the trailer brakes. If the roads are slippery, some dope cuts you off or you have to panic stop you'll be very happy to have the brakes.
The built in Ford controller is very nice. It works off your trucks computer so you get some advantages over 3rd party controllers. The biggest advantages are the built in controller can apply your trailer brakes ahead of the truck brakes, they are integrated with your dash & they work with hill hold. Inertia type brake controllers (3rd party) have an inherent delay that the built in electronic controllers don't because work off sensing the vehicle is starting or stopping. That delay can add a little tug when stopping and starting. I don't want to bash the 3rd party controllers since most work very nice, I just prefer the factory controller.
The built in Ford controller is very nice. It works off your trucks computer so you get some advantages over 3rd party controllers. The biggest advantages are the built in controller can apply your trailer brakes ahead of the truck brakes, they are integrated with your dash & they work with hill hold. Inertia type brake controllers (3rd party) have an inherent delay that the built in electronic controllers don't because work off sensing the vehicle is starting or stopping. That delay can add a little tug when stopping and starting. I don't want to bash the 3rd party controllers since most work very nice, I just prefer the factory controller.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: NKY
As others have commented already, a controller will make life a little easier and safer for you. My enclosed trailer weights 4000# empty. I'll decrease the brake setting when towing the trailer unloaded and increase when towing fully loaded, about 7800#. Wouldn't think twice of towing either way w/o a controller.
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