My father-in-law can't find an '05 F-250 4X4 with the Two Command option in the color he likes. We have searched a ton of dealers up and down the state of Florida.

We have found several trucks with everything but this one option. Jeff has said it will not be a dealer installed option because it's intergrated into the abs, etc..

So is the Tow Command really worth not getting an available vehicle or should he just get the vehicle and go with aftermarket?

Also, can someone recommend an aftermarket unit? He pulls a 5,000 pound tractor.

Thanks in advance.

 

I did a search and noticed everyone likes the Prodigy brake controller.

So where is the plug on an '05 F-250? Is it pretty easy to install? I'm assuming it's simple with the harness, right?

Thanks in advance.

 

The beauty of the 05 superDuty trucks with the PSD or 3 Valve V10 is the new towing and hauling capabilities.

If you going to tow conventional medium weight loads the aftermarket electric trailer brake controllers are very good.

But integration and technology can make some things better. This new system can really inhance the braking capabilities. It is integrated with the Trucks other systems and will adapt the braking strategy depending on several sensed situations and conditions. IN a dead panic stop the truck ABS system does a lot of work keeping your wheels from locking and with the new TBC the variable high amp signal sent to the trailer will be pulsed and varied to mimic what the truck brakes are attempting to do.

I expect in a few weeks, as more of these systems get on the road, we will see how this really works. I bet some folks love it and will never go back. And there will be some old school folks who will not like it.

I looked in the glove box of a 05 F350 yesterday, and they still had the trailer brake controller pigtail and relays in the bag that comes if you order the towing package and hitch.

I ordered with the Tow command and TBC because 15,000lbs needs all the help you can get bringing it to a halt from 70 MPG

Another consideration for me is the clean looking instalation of the upfitter switches and TBC. As a new owner of a $40K vehicle I don't want to roll down the road wishing for this or that option.

 

have not seen that many 05s at the dealers yet,, would be surprised if you find exactly what you are seeking,, still slim pickings in our area here in Largo, Florida,,

just ordered an 05 F350 KR, SRW, 6.0,, six to eight weeks for delivery,,

we tow a 33' Alpenlite 5th wheel and are about 19,000 on the J Scales with the present 03 F250 7.3 crew cab,, really looking forward to compare how improved the Tow Command is over our present brake controller set-up,,

enjoy,,

 

hold out for the tow command. I have towed with with lots of different controllers and this tow command is second to none. This by far has been worth the wait for the 05 alone.

 

I now have 50 miles with my TT behind the 05 KR V10 and I will echo what wingnut posted. Fords TBC is much better thal all the previous store bought models I have used.

 

Well, I located an F-250 with the Tow Command. It was not the first choice in color, but it was good enough. It's a True Blue Lariat 4X4 FX4 Supercab LB. We had a deposit on it but had to wait for delivery until after the hurricane passed. Picked it up last night.

I'll keep you posted on how he likes the system after he breaks in the truck and tows a few times.

Thanks everyone.

 

Doesn't anyone think that it might be wise to wait on the assesment of how great this is until there is a few thousand miles of towing from several hundered people in all conditions before saying it is the best thing out there? I use a prodigy and have had no issues. I agree the ford controller looks cool but this has never been done before.

 

Not speaking for all the other owners, just me. I have over a 100,000 miles in the "mountain" states towing "heavy" so I think I have a fairly good knowledge about tandem and tripple axel electric brakes, several different tow vehicles, and about a dozen different controllers.

Obviously installation is a plus for this new integrated system, it is already there!

Set up of the bias was as simple as any of the good add in controllers and much simpler than the ones that have a swing weight or mecury switch in them and must have angle adjustments.

I am a ABS fan, and I have had several panic stopps with trailers attached where the ABS was doing its thing in the rain but the trailer was locked all the way up. I have not deliberatly tested Fords new TBC ABS strategy but on paper it sounds very good.

I gotta believe, with product liability being what it is, that Ford did their home work before introducing this new idea of extending "mimiced" ABS to the trailer.

Added benifit of TBC... if you have a nit wit 3 feet off your rear bumper, just tap the controller manual slide bar one time.... truck rear brake lights illuminate with the desired effect and you never took your foot off the gas or dropped out of cruise control!

 

For what it's worth, an article in Truck Trends magazine from a month or so ago featuring the 05's put the Tow Command brake controller up against a few of the leading aftermarket controllers, and concluded that the Tow Command was by far the best.

 

t_j82,
I have had more towing time than you could imagine. I have used many controllers. I'm not saying I wasn't happy with all, but these forums are opinionated. I can honestly say of all the miles I have towed, the tow command is second to none. I like the prodigy product for an aftermarket controller, but it doesn't compare to the tow command. With TC you are interfaced with your anti lock braking system. Prodigy is still an electronic controller, so it doesn't have that advantage the tc has. This is my $.02