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I picked up my new SD last friday, and I love it, except, since I'm a bonehead, I forgot to order the upfitter switches with the tow command (thought they came with it). Has anyone added these to their trucks? Is the relay/fuse panel already in the truck, or does that have to be added also?
I am also interested in his reasoning as I have had a few different trucks with aftermarket controllers and none of them were even CLOSE to performing as well as the factory one in my 06' F250 CC PSD LB FX4 when hooked to my 9000lb TH. Not even a comparison. Maybe he did not have it adjusted properly and it made him crazy or something? Aftermarket controller over the Tow Command? Never in a million years. Go get yours installed at the dealer and call it a day my friend. You wont regret the decision......
Last edited by Bobmarlin; Mar 15, 2006 at 12:50 PM.
Sorry guys, I stated this wrong. I actually have the trailer brake controller, I didn't order the upfitter switches with it. I just need to add the switches.
I added them to my 05, ordered them from Powerstroke.com website. Easy install. If I remember right, they were right at $58. The relays come with them, and are installed above the glove compartment, and the other end is simply plugged into the back of the fuseblock.
I added them to my 05, ordered them from Powerstroke.com website. Easy install. If I remember right, they were right at $58. The relays come with them, and are installed above the glove compartment, and the other end is simply plugged into the back of the fuseblock.
Ok..First let me say..I have been towing for a living for 10+ years. I log over 100,000 miles a year on my trucks.
I certainly know how to adjust a controller.
Part of the problem is that I have gone through 2 of them this year alone (over 100,000 miles on my 2005 f350).
A buddy of mine also has a 2005 and also gets faulty fault codes and trailer disconnect warnings.
As far as adjusting the brake controller...there is no adjustment other than gain!
I haul a 18,000 lb tri-axle trailer and have to have the gain all the way up.
The problems continue with the controller not working under 5 mph...If you have ever tried to stop an 18,000 lb trailer..you would know how hard this is on the trucks brakes..stop and go traffic and off ramps are a bitch!
The other problem is that going through the ABS system..you only get a portion of the 10.0 gain setting unless you jam the brakes to the floor!
I would much rather have a controller where I can set the gain to say 7 or 8 and have them work 100% all of the time...It is alot easier on the trucks brakes!
I could go on...
Apparently it is NOT fomo's lack of experience or basic towing knowledge which causes his displeasure with the OEM controller. It is amazing how much weight you tow with that F350! I pull around 9500lbs and if I set the controller gain above 6.0 it will cause the trailer brakes to lock up completely. I run it currently at only 4.0 and it works perfect for me but I am not pulling 18000lbs. Nice to hear you have so many miles on your rig and it is still working hard for you.
Ok..First let me say..I have been towing for a living for 10+ years. I log over 100,000 miles a year on my trucks.
I certainly know how to adjust a controller.
Part of the problem is that I have gone through 2 of them this year alone (over 100,000 miles on my 2005 f350).
A buddy of mine also has a 2005 and also gets faulty fault codes and trailer disconnect warnings.
As far as adjusting the brake controller...there is no adjustment other than gain!
I haul a 18,000 lb tri-axle trailer and have to have the gain all the way up.
The problems continue with the controller not working under 5 mph...If you have ever tried to stop an 18,000 lb trailer..you would know how hard this is on the trucks brakes..stop and go traffic and off ramps are a bitch!
The other problem is that going through the ABS system..you only get a portion of the 10.0 gain setting unless you jam the brakes to the floor!
I would much rather have a controller where I can set the gain to say 7 or 8 and have them work 100% all of the time...It is alot easier on the trucks brakes!
I could go on...
So another words anybody hauling 18000 lbs on a regular basis all day every day isn't what Ford designed the controller for?
I understand what you are saying about the controler, but 90% of the people here don't haul that much weight all the time like you do. Maybe the controler is not for you and your situation but saying it is a peice of junk and not recommending it to anybody is a bit harsh IMO.
So another words anybody hauling 18000 lbs on a regular basis all day every day isn't what Ford designed the controller for?
I understand what you are saying about the controler, but 90% of the people here don't haul that much weight all the time like you do. Maybe the controler is not for you and your situation but saying it is a peice of junk and not recommending it to anybody is a bit harsh IMO.
The weight issue was only one part of my complaint...You seem to miss the part about having it replaced twice for malfunction codes and false disconect/fault codes!
I know of several people that have experienced these same issues..That is why I called it junk...Not it's design as much as it's poor quality!!
At the very least, if I had an aftermarket controller and it malfunctioned, I could replace it for $100 and be back in business. As a owner/operator having something I can repair myself saves me $1000's of dollars by not being down while being repaired at Ford!!
On a positive note (sort of)..My 2005 was retired last Friday in a very serious accident and it is totaled..
I picked up a new 2006 KR F350 CC Dually 4x4 today...It has the controller standard...
Did you find the switch kit?
hear are the Ford part numbers 06 F250.
switch 5c3z-13d730-AAA
wiring and relay box 14a303 prefix only due to production split of 12-5-05
and small pocket if adding upfitter switches to truck wo/ TowCommand 13546
Did you find the switch kit?
hear are the Ford part numbers 06 F250.
switch 5c3z-13d730-AAA
wiring and relay box 14a303 prefix only due to production split of 12-5-05
and small pocket if adding upfitter switches to truck wo/ TowCommand 13546
Thanks, I'll copy these down. I'm checking a few different places for prices.
I added them to my 05, ordered them from Powerstroke.com website. Easy install. If I remember right, they were right at $58. The relays come with them, and are installed above the glove compartment, and the other end is simply plugged into the back of the fuseblock.
I tried powerstroke.com and got some re-direct site, do yo have the full url?