You couldn't pay me to use one of those. Another potential failure point exposed to the elements? No thanks. Depending on trailer safety in a wireless application? No thanks.

A couple guys on the Bronco6G page have tried those, and have had spotty luck. A couple guys on here apparently have used them and say they're okay, but I'm going to throw this at you - you don't have an emergency lever for your trailer brakes. Let's say your trailer starts to sway badly, and you come off the throttle (always a smart thing to do) and go to apply your trailer brakes to try to bring it back under control (pretty standard procedure, do NOT try to use the truck brakes as that can make it worse). Do you want to be fiddling with your phone to get an app up to try to do it, or just reach down and gently squeeze the lever on the controller, that is in a fixed location and even if you have to glance down at it your eyes aren't off the road but for a fraction of a second?

Just get the factory one.

 

^^^THIS^^^^ Fully agree 100%. This IS the proper method to stop sway once it starts. Here's a tip, the Built in sway control uses the Factory brake controller to apply trailer brakes in the event of trailer sway. No other brake controller will do this! This is another reason to install the factory unit.

 

I bought a factory OEM brake controller and installed it. Connected it to the connector behind the dash.
I enabled the "Trailer Brake Control Module" in the IPC using Forscan. Once I do that, it shows up on the dash and I can adjust the gain.
The problem is that when I set the gain to 1 or higher, the trailer brakes are on even without my foot on the pedal. The brakes are locked up and I can't get the truck/trailer to move until I set the gain down to .5. But then pressing the brake pedal doesn't apply the trailer brakes.
Is there a wiring problem? Is there another module I need to enable or disable using Forscan? Might my truck not be able to use the factory controller?

There's also a Trailer Brake Controller listed in one of the BCM modules, and I tried enabling that but it didn't make any difference.

When I enabled the "Trailer Brake Controller Gain Setting" in the IPC and tried to write it, it failed. I saw on another thread in the forum, one guy only enabled the "Trailer Brake Control Module" and said everything worked OK.

I do have a B1115 code showing up for high mounted stop lamp control, incorrect current function, suspect incorrect bulb fitted message. Might that cause the brake controller to freak out?


Suggestions? I need to get this working for tomorrow when I have to pull my trailer to do a spray job.

Thanks.

 

I just discovered that my brake lights are on when my foot is off the brakes. Forscan sees Boo1, Boo2, ftbrake all off until I press on the brake pedal and then that all turn on. So it's not the truck turning the brake lights on.

I unplugged the OEM brake controller and the brake lights went out. I plugged it back in and when the gain is set to 0 or .5, the brake lights are off but as soon as I set the gain to 1.0 it higher, the brake lights come on again.
Plus, when I change the gain from 0 to anything higher, the OUTPUT indicator on the truck goes to full on. It seems like something in the brake controller itself is causing this, right?

 

Was that a new OEM controller purchased from a Ford parts department?

The correct part number for the year of your truck?

If both of those answers are yes I would look at the 7-way socket and wiring to make sure everything is correct.

This controller is pretty much plug and play.

 

The controller may be suspect. You probably can’t get one based on your VIN since it didn’t come with one. If you didn’t order an OEM one from Ford just do that. That is what I did on my F150 and they only charged me 0.5 to install and activate it. Obviously the one you have is telling the truck the trailer brakes have been applied as if you are operating the controller manually without the foot pedal.

if it’s a programming issue there are some Forscan experts here on FTE that could advise.

 

I did get a real Ford OEM brake controller. It was brand new. My VIN is 1FT7W2B66KEC68969
I have the original window sticker. The only thing trailer related on it is "Trailer Sway Control" which I would expect means a trailer brake controller should work because isn't that how it stops sway? By engaging the trailer brakes?

The guy I bought it from on Ebay asked me if my truck came with "Heavy Duty Trailer Towing" and I'm not sure if it did or not.

The aftermarket Reese controller is working in the meantime, but I'd like to convert to a Ford OEM if possible.

 

You may not need this video but it might help.

 

This is the part number Ford Boss Me used in his video.

 

A lot of them on eBay are knockoffs. I have used one on an F150 and it worked but people caution against them.

I would return it asap. Or at least swap it.

 

I watched a video where a guy takes 3 brake controllers apart to look inside. One is OEM, the other two are fake. The two fake over have many fewer electronic components in them.
I took the cover of mine and it looks the same inside as the OEM. I'm 99% sure it's a real Ford part.

 

Have you changed the trailer effort in the dash controls. They may not have been there until you activated the brake controller in the computer.

 

I have a Curt Echo. I have used it in trucks without factory brake controllers and it works GREAT. The beauty of it is that you can move it from vehicle to vehicle. Zero wiring to do. You've still got the same controls, you just use your phone's screen instead of the truck's screen. It's an amazing product.

Having said that, the fact that ANY Super Duty would come without a factory brake controller is bizarre.

 

I bought a Dodge Ram 2500 cummins once, quad cab short bed. It not only thankfully didn’t come with the crappy factory hitch but it also didn’t come with even the wiring to hook up a brake controller.

Put a 16,000 hitch on it and had to pay someone to wire back and install a 7 pin.

Little FUs they give us. Take off work to fix this, but make your payment on time.

 

This bolded part concerns me. I don't buy OEM parts on eBay.