TowCommand Voltage Problem?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
TowCommand Voltage Problem?
When manually activating the trailer brakes on the dash (gain set to 10) I get 11.75 volts to the trailer, tires lock up no problem.
When using the pedal, I get 2.7 volts therefore not activating the trailer brakes fully on any of our trailers hardly locking them at all.
Tests were done using a meter at the 7-pin on the rear bumper, as well as when hooked to a trailer observing wheel lockup (or lack thereof).
Any ideas? I'm hauling a 38' boat from Fairbanks to Valdez on Thursday and hope to get this resolved!
I'll post this as well in the Towing section.
Thanks
Matt
When using the pedal, I get 2.7 volts therefore not activating the trailer brakes fully on any of our trailers hardly locking them at all.
Tests were done using a meter at the 7-pin on the rear bumper, as well as when hooked to a trailer observing wheel lockup (or lack thereof).
Any ideas? I'm hauling a 38' boat from Fairbanks to Valdez on Thursday and hope to get this resolved!
I'll post this as well in the Towing section.
Thanks
Matt
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
You actually have to be moving to generate a voltage using manual trailer brake or brake in truck to activate trailer brakes. I think the threshold is about 6 mph. When I picked up my trailer, we had to drive with the trailer tester connected to show a voltage. Do you get a green trailer on the controller panel when trailer is plugged in?
I would test with empty trailer to ensure lockup at say 10 mph. If you get a red trailer on the controller or no lockup with trailer connected, search for correct wiring of trailer, it might be you need a new controller?
I would test with empty trailer to ensure lockup at say 10 mph. If you get a red trailer on the controller or no lockup with trailer connected, search for correct wiring of trailer, it might be you need a new controller?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
Trailer is in the shop with wheels elevated off the ground (and boat on boat stands) My brother spins one wheel on the trailer and when the Towcommand is activated manually it stops the wheel instantly.
When wheel is spun again and the pedal is depressed (truck running), the wheel does not stop spinning, trailer brake actuator is making noise, but not near as loud as when brakes are applies manually.
I thought it may be that we weren't moving as well, but I went out and hooked onto our skid steer trailer and the manual method would lock up all the tires, but the pedal would not.
I then pulled the truck back into the shop and tested the voltage at the 7-pin, and that is where the 11.75 and the 2.7 discrepency was found, while the truck was stationary.
By the way, Boat trailer is electric over hydraulic whis was out first problem, but have since installed a new actuator compatible with the new TowCommand system. Skid steer trailer is pure electric.
I appreciate your input, however I am reading these voltages while the truck is parked and they are consistent with how the brakes are behaving.
Thanks
When wheel is spun again and the pedal is depressed (truck running), the wheel does not stop spinning, trailer brake actuator is making noise, but not near as loud as when brakes are applies manually.
I thought it may be that we weren't moving as well, but I went out and hooked onto our skid steer trailer and the manual method would lock up all the tires, but the pedal would not.
I then pulled the truck back into the shop and tested the voltage at the 7-pin, and that is where the 11.75 and the 2.7 discrepency was found, while the truck was stationary.
By the way, Boat trailer is electric over hydraulic whis was out first problem, but have since installed a new actuator compatible with the new TowCommand system. Skid steer trailer is pure electric.
I appreciate your input, however I am reading these voltages while the truck is parked and they are consistent with how the brakes are behaving.
Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 8
From: CT
I am not sure if you need to be moving, there is a pressure transducer on the master cylinder, but it could take into account speed.
It is my understanding that the first year they came out they will NOT lock the trailer brakes, the new ones will.
It is my understanding that the first year they came out they will NOT lock the trailer brakes, the new ones will.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
So, a better test would be to hook onto my skid steer trailer and get her up to 20 or so and see if the brakes lock up as well with the pedal as they do with the slider?
Does the truck take into account speed when trailer brakes are applied via pedal,but not by the manual slider? If so, it seems that would be quite a safety concern if you were in a pull-off/parking lot/RV park and found that you couldn't stop with your pedal and had to use the manual slider when under a certain speed.
I appreciate your input...keep it comin'!
Does the truck take into account speed when trailer brakes are applied via pedal,but not by the manual slider? If so, it seems that would be quite a safety concern if you were in a pull-off/parking lot/RV park and found that you couldn't stop with your pedal and had to use the manual slider when under a certain speed.
I appreciate your input...keep it comin'!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
The first edition of the integrated brake controller had a known issue where it would not produce enough voltage to activate the trailer brakes when the vehicle speed was low (under 10MPH?) This posed a problem when pulling a heavy trailer in stop-and-go/rush-hour traffic. I can't remember if the manual slider would function properly or not.
Sounds like this might be your problem... there's a second version of the IBC which fixes the problem.
Sounds like this might be your problem... there's a second version of the IBC which fixes the problem.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
That is consistent with how the controller is behaving. I'll perform a "high speed" test today. Thank you very much for your help!
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
I believe you can get the controller swapped under warranty if you complain loud enough to your dealer - there should even be a TSB out on it. Search around in here - you should find plenty of threads referring to the problem.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Well, mine is a medium build 2005 6.0. Its a safety feature to not flat spot tires on an empty trailer. If you have any weight, and you are moving, it will lock them up either way. I tested this several times before I pulled my new TT off the lot. When sitting still, manual trailer activates, brake pedal also does, but somewhat less. If moving, both work and will actually make the trailer tires squeel if you have the bias pushed up to 9.5. I ended up running 7.5 and 8.0. Stops seem'd very controlled. Remember this is an integrated brake controller, it is integrated with the brain of the truck, has access to anti lock wheel sensor data that you are not moving or that you are slowing down adequately. I think you need to attach the trailer and try, then with a load and test to know for sure. Are you getting a green trailer connection on the controller?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post