Adding factory trailer brake controller in a 18
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Acworth, Ga
Adding factory trailer brake controller in a 18
took my truck to the dealer to have a factory trailer brake controller added and was told it’s not possible? They said there isn’t a spot to add a fuse for it. Would it be possible to add a fused hot wire to the controller to power it? Has anyone installed one in their 18 yet? I don’t want a old school external controller screwed to my dash! Lol
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
took my truck to the dealer to have a factory trailer brake controller added and was told it’s not possible? They said there isn’t a spot to add a fuse for it. Would it be possible to add a fused hot wire to the controller to power it? Has anyone installed one in their 18 yet? I don’t want a old school external controller screwed to my dash! Lol
Afterwards, the dealer would have to program the vehicle to recognize and to turn on the TBC and you`re done.
It sounds like whoever told you that at the dealer didn`t know what they were talking about but then again, perhaps Ford changed it for the 2018 F150`s.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
I remember reading another posting on here about a week ago where another member such as yourself was also adding the OEM TBC to his 2018.
Did you read or see his posting?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 528
Likes: 3
From: Rochester,NY
Trailer Brake Controller
rednck21,Read the thread titled ( TBC) It will tell you all of how to do it
and the correct part# for 2018 Me and another guy AeroCare went
through this problem,He got FORD to Buck UP.
and the correct part# for 2018 Me and another guy AeroCare went
through this problem,He got FORD to Buck UP.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Acworth, Ga
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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It would seem odd that they would change it from being a simple upgrade to not possible. I looked at the OEM for my 16', but opted to save the cash and installed an aftermarket one in my driveway. Took 5-10 minutes and cost $45-$50. Works great and although it's not as "clean" looking as the OEM, it is pretty small and never gets in the way.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Brentwood,CA
On my 2018 there was no charge relay installed at the factory. I had to install the relay and add the TBC controller. I activated with forscan and all was fine. Everything shows up on the dash and the trailer brakes work fine.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Rochester,NY
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
Just to clarify for everyone in this thread....
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Just to clarify for everyone in this thread....
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
Thanks for that info.
I wonder why Ford change it from the 15-17 F150`s.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: East Texas
Just to clarify for everyone in this thread....
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
The 18's without the factory TBC have a different Smart Junction Box (fuse box) than 18's with the factory TBC. If yours didn't come from the factory with the TBC, there's no power supply to feed the TBC from the SJB.
The workaround is to install the SJB that has the #24 fuse in order to power up the TBC, as was successfully done in the thread linked by ecoboost12 above.
However..... this workaround is NOT an official Ford solution. Meaning that most dealers won't have a clue if you bring this information to them. Because the dealers don't have an official workaround from Ford, most will probably balk at the idea of doing this fix.
Hopefully this helps.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
took my truck to the dealer to have a factory trailer brake controller added and was told it’s not possible? They said there isn’t a spot to add a fuse for it. Would it be possible to add a fused hot wire to the controller to power it? Has anyone installed one in their 18 yet? I don’t want a old school external controller screwed to my dash! Lol