I'm considering the purchase of a 2005 F150 Lariat with a 5.4 for the purpose of towing our small 4000 lb. travel trailer. Where is a good spot for mounting a brake controller? Does the F150 already have wiring set up for a controller and all you have to do is plug into it? Lastly, did the F150 have a factory installed controller option mounted into the dash similar to what I'm seeing on the new F150? OK, one more question - What kind of performance can I expect towing with the F150? I'm replacing a V6 powered 2004 Toyota Tacoma that was anemic at best on hills with the trailer in tow.

 

If you have the tow package, it is wired for a contoller. The wire is gray and comes out of the firewall near the steering column. One of the best controllers is the Prodigy and it runs around $100 on-line (I got mine at Rvwholesalers.com). I paid an additional $9.95 for the dedicated wiring harness which just plugs in. I put my controller at the left bottom of the dash just to the right of the parking brake release. There is a metal piece on the bottom of the dash that seems to do nothing. I drilled a couple of holes in it and mounted the Prodigy. It took about 15 minutes to install the whole thing and about 10 minutes to adjust it after I hooked up the trailer. I tow a 4,500-5,000 trailer with my 5.4 with 3.73 gears and it does a great job and get about 11 MPG while towing at 60 with OD locked out.

 

I also put my brake box on tha metal peice. I as well tow a 30 ft toy hauler that weighs 5500 lbs empty and with 4-wheelers and gear i'm close to 7500lbs and i have an 06 FX4 super cab 3.73 gears and i'm turning 35 inch tires but i do have an exhaust the edge performance box Air intake... witch all help.. I get anywhere from 9-12 mpg towing... I also to a 17 ft car trailer at least 1 or 2 times a week with any where from a car or 4-wheelers on it... i love this truck.

Mark

 

Mounted mine in the cubby thats below the cup holder. Easy to see and adjust the settings...