I have a 99 F-150 4x4 Super Cab with the 5.4L engine. We recently inherited a light 5th wheel trailer that I need to tow with this truck (it has an empty weight of 4700 lbs, so it is well within limits).

I'm having the hitch professionally installed. My research says it should be mounted 1.5 - 2" in front of the rear axle. It is a slider, so should be fine with the short bed.

It appears the truck has the factory tow package. It has a class 3 receiver hitch with a 7 pin plug. Looking at the plug, it appears to be hard wired into the harness, not a "plug in between the existing connector" type.

There is a plug next to the computer plug under the dash that I assume is for the brake controller. I am looking to purchase a controller. Will this be all I need for brakes?

In looking at the fuses and relays, there are fuses for a "trailer battery" system, but no relay in the assigned position. There are spade plugs for the relay, but I don't see any activity with the test light while the truck is on. The charging system pin on the 7 pin plug does not go hot when the truck is on.

Does anyone know whether I can easily get this system working or do I need to wire up a solenoid and tap into the 7 pin plug to charge the trailer battery when the truck is on? I hoped putting in the relay would enable the charging system, but I expected one of the 4 pins to be hot when the ignition is on to engage the relay.

 

All you need to do is purchase a brake controller (Prodigy is great) and install it, and have the relay installed. Its a standard relay, Ford should have them for just a few dollars. That's all you need!

 

Thanks, I'll look for a Prodigy and I'll stop at the Ford dealer next week.