Factory trailer brake control
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New User
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Factory trailer brake control
Hello all,
I have an '05 F-350 Powerstroke with the Ford factory brake controller.
It works well, when moving, but it has the unusual feature of releasing the trailer brakes a few seconds after a stop and does not start sending an output again until the truck reaches about 15 mph. According to the dealership, this is how the controller is supposed to work, as, unlike aftermarket controllers, it also factors vechicle speed into the braking output algorithm.
Here's the problem. When hooking up to a fifth wheel trailer, you are supposed to do a "tug test", meaning that after you hook up, you manually move the brake controller lever to full output to lock up the trailer brakes and then try to pull forward to ensure that the hitch is locked.
The Ford controller will not do this, since you are not moving over 15 mph.
I've heard through the "grapevine" that the controller programming was changed in later models to provide braking even when stopped, but have not been able to confirm. Dealership simply says, "It works like it's supposed to".
Truck was a late '04 or very early '05 build. Can anybody with a newer model confirm that the factory brake system works, even when not moving?
Thanks
I have an '05 F-350 Powerstroke with the Ford factory brake controller.
It works well, when moving, but it has the unusual feature of releasing the trailer brakes a few seconds after a stop and does not start sending an output again until the truck reaches about 15 mph. According to the dealership, this is how the controller is supposed to work, as, unlike aftermarket controllers, it also factors vechicle speed into the braking output algorithm.
Here's the problem. When hooking up to a fifth wheel trailer, you are supposed to do a "tug test", meaning that after you hook up, you manually move the brake controller lever to full output to lock up the trailer brakes and then try to pull forward to ensure that the hitch is locked.
The Ford controller will not do this, since you are not moving over 15 mph.
I've heard through the "grapevine" that the controller programming was changed in later models to provide braking even when stopped, but have not been able to confirm. Dealership simply says, "It works like it's supposed to".
Truck was a late '04 or very early '05 build. Can anybody with a newer model confirm that the factory brake system works, even when not moving?
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 563
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Yep, the newer build 05s and up have a brake controller that will work from 0mph up, unlike your version (and mine). For a while people were going back to the dealer, and complaning about their situation (similar to yours with a 5th wheel) and the dealer was upgrading the TBC to a newer unit. I have heard from one or two people that their is a TSB out now, instructing dealers NOT to change the TBC units out, since they are working like they are "supposed" to. The only thing you could try is taking your truck and trailer to the dealer, and showing the service manager your problem. He may change it, he may not.
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Yep, I finally got to the bottom of this issue, and you are right, those of us with the older version just have to live with it or pay for the new one.
Here's the actual wording of the Ford Service "Tip"
18630 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES - NORMAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE FOR A MANUAL APPLY FROM THE FORD TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER - SERVICE TIP
THE VOLTAGE OUTPUT FOR MANUAL TRAILER BRAKE APPLICATION FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER ON 2005 F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES IS IN TWO DIFFERENT RANGES, BASED ON BUILD DATE. THE NORMAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE FOR A FULL MANUAL APPLY (MANUAL ACTIVATOR LEVER SLID FULLY TO THE LEFT, GAIN SETTING OF 10, VEHICLE NOT MOVING) IS 1-3 VOLTS ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/23/05, AND IS GREATER THAN 10 VOLTS ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 3/23/05. BRAKE PEDAL BASED OUTPUT FROM THE CONTROLLER IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF BUILD DATE. DO NOT REPLACE THE CONTROLLER IF IT IS PROVIDING VOLTAGE OUTPUT IN THE CORRECT RANGE BASED ON BUILD DATE. REFER TO SECTION 206-10 OF THE WORKSHOP MANUAL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/26/2005
Here's the actual wording of the Ford Service "Tip"
18630 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES - NORMAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE FOR A MANUAL APPLY FROM THE FORD TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER - SERVICE TIP
THE VOLTAGE OUTPUT FOR MANUAL TRAILER BRAKE APPLICATION FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER ON 2005 F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES IS IN TWO DIFFERENT RANGES, BASED ON BUILD DATE. THE NORMAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE FOR A FULL MANUAL APPLY (MANUAL ACTIVATOR LEVER SLID FULLY TO THE LEFT, GAIN SETTING OF 10, VEHICLE NOT MOVING) IS 1-3 VOLTS ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/23/05, AND IS GREATER THAN 10 VOLTS ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 3/23/05. BRAKE PEDAL BASED OUTPUT FROM THE CONTROLLER IS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF BUILD DATE. DO NOT REPLACE THE CONTROLLER IF IT IS PROVIDING VOLTAGE OUTPUT IN THE CORRECT RANGE BASED ON BUILD DATE. REFER TO SECTION 206-10 OF THE WORKSHOP MANUAL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/26/2005
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