Tow Command Voltage
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Graham, WA
Tow Command Voltage
I have the Ford tow command and tow an 11000# 5th wheel. Lately I've suspected that the controller is not working as well as it should. I've read a service bulletin that says you should have 10v applied to the brakes with the controller set to 10 and enough pressure on the brakes to move the light bar all the way to the right.
I have a junction box at the trailer where I can measure the brake voltage. With a digital voltmeter I get 1.5vdc using the brake peddle or the controller paddles. If the controller produces anything other and a straight DC volts, such as pulses, then I could understand a wrong reading.
Any thoughts?
Rob
I have a junction box at the trailer where I can measure the brake voltage. With a digital voltmeter I get 1.5vdc using the brake peddle or the controller paddles. If the controller produces anything other and a straight DC volts, such as pulses, then I could understand a wrong reading.
Any thoughts?
Rob
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burnsville, MN
If you're talking about your 2005, you may be in the same boat I am with mine. If the controller was installed before about the end of March 2005, it won't activate unless you are travelling maybe 15 mph. If you do, you'll have to take your voltage reading while travelling faster than that............
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From: Graham, WA
Thanks for the information. I believe mine has a build date of Feb 2005. I know the paddles don't work when you try to hold the trailer to test the hitch connection. This is the first time I've heard that the controller requires a minimum speed to function. As anyone found a solution to defeat the speed sensing?
Rob
Rob
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From: Burnsville, MN
For testing your 5th wheel connection it seems that you could wire an upfitter switch to the trailer brakes, then just flip your switch to turn the brakes on full. On the other hand, I've also heard that this should NOT be done because it would lead to a reverse current flow into the controller. I have no idea what the truth is.
I have also heard of a bulletin (actually I think I've seen it on this forum) from Ford telling dealerships not to treat this condition as a failure because they say it is operating as designed.
I have also heard of a bulletin (actually I think I've seen it on this forum) from Ford telling dealerships not to treat this condition as a failure because they say it is operating as designed.
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From: Graham, WA
Hi BareBones, thanks for your input.
I did some research since my last post and discovered a couple of interesting items.
1) The only difference between the pre-March 2005 controllers and all the newer versions is, as you stated, the controller doesn't supply full voltage to the brakes until you reach 15 mph. Why Ford designed it that way seems to a bit of a mystery.
2) I also found references to a Special Service Message (SSM) 18537 that apparently states that the controller can be replace at the customer's request with controller PN: 5C3Z-2C006-AA. This SSM seems to be a bit elusive since no one can seems to produce it, and Ford dealers deny it exist, although I haven't personally tried my local dealer.
At this point I don't if I want to push the issue or not.
Anyway thanks for your input.
Rob
PS I'm surprised others didn't respond to this topic. Maybe old news.
I did some research since my last post and discovered a couple of interesting items.
1) The only difference between the pre-March 2005 controllers and all the newer versions is, as you stated, the controller doesn't supply full voltage to the brakes until you reach 15 mph. Why Ford designed it that way seems to a bit of a mystery.
2) I also found references to a Special Service Message (SSM) 18537 that apparently states that the controller can be replace at the customer's request with controller PN: 5C3Z-2C006-AA. This SSM seems to be a bit elusive since no one can seems to produce it, and Ford dealers deny it exist, although I haven't personally tried my local dealer.
At this point I don't if I want to push the issue or not.
Anyway thanks for your input.
Rob
PS I'm surprised others didn't respond to this topic. Maybe old news.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Nothern Indiana
Originally Posted by rob17
Hi BareBones, thanks for your input.
I did some research since my last post and discovered a couple of interesting items.
1) The only difference between the pre-March 2005 controllers and all the newer versions is, as you stated, the controller doesn't supply full voltage to the brakes until you reach 15 mph. Why Ford designed it that way seems to a bit of a mystery.
2) I also found references to a Special Service Message (SSM) 18537 that apparently states that the controller can be replace at the customer's request with controller PN: 5C3Z-2C006-AA. This SSM seems to be a bit elusive since no one can seems to produce it, and Ford dealers deny it exist, although I haven't personally tried my local dealer.
At this point I don't if I want to push the issue or not.
Anyway thanks for your input.
Rob
PS I'm surprised others didn't respond to this topic. Maybe old news.
I did some research since my last post and discovered a couple of interesting items.
1) The only difference between the pre-March 2005 controllers and all the newer versions is, as you stated, the controller doesn't supply full voltage to the brakes until you reach 15 mph. Why Ford designed it that way seems to a bit of a mystery.
2) I also found references to a Special Service Message (SSM) 18537 that apparently states that the controller can be replace at the customer's request with controller PN: 5C3Z-2C006-AA. This SSM seems to be a bit elusive since no one can seems to produce it, and Ford dealers deny it exist, although I haven't personally tried my local dealer.
At this point I don't if I want to push the issue or not.
Anyway thanks for your input.
Rob
PS I'm surprised others didn't respond to this topic. Maybe old news.
My dealer was no help either. I just pulled my trailer again this weekend and said to myself I need to get this fixed before I can't stop this thing .......
BTW I ordered a P3 and will replace mine when it comes in. I'm not going to dissconnect the factory one but use an upfitter switch to use the P3.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Simpsonville, KY
Huh... am I the only one who thinks the 15mph rule is the neatest idea ever? I'm so tired of locking and snapping the horses in the trailer in long lines of stop-n-go traffic; the only thing I could think of the relax the brakes was to turn down the power. If the truck automatically didn't engage full braking until you were travelling over 15mph it would make the drive much smoother. Of course, I wouldn't want the trailer brakes to relax in panic stop once the combo slowed to 15mph... I'd want both to work until I took my foot off the brake.
To me it sounds like a really cool idea... why did it flop so badly?
To me it sounds like a really cool idea... why did it flop so badly?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Burnsville, MN
I thin k the main reason it flopped was that 5th wheelers who were safety tested couldn't demonstrate a functioning brake controller like inspectors were accustomed to seeing, so it just caused everyone a lot of hassle.
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From: Millersville, MD
I don't care if they don't come on until the door locks automatically go to lock. (5-15 mph) The factory brake controller is the best I've ever had including the Prodigy....
My regular service brakes work okay for those 15 MPH stops. For testing 5th wheel hitch lock, simply pull the emergency break-away pin. After I get rolling, I pull the manual brake on the controller to test for proper stopping.
My regular service brakes work okay for those 15 MPH stops. For testing 5th wheel hitch lock, simply pull the emergency break-away pin. After I get rolling, I pull the manual brake on the controller to test for proper stopping.
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From: Nothern Indiana
It only starts to work above 15mph and won't give full braking untill your up to speed.
The manual lever works the same as the brake pedal. If I'm going 55mph and hit the brakes hard its the best thing to have but try to stop at a light at normal speed and seems there is very little braking .
The manual lever works the same as the brake pedal. If I'm going 55mph and hit the brakes hard its the best thing to have but try to stop at a light at normal speed and seems there is very little braking .
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