Expy and Electric Brakes
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New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: NW
Expy and Electric Brakes
I have a 98 Expy Eddie Bauer with Tow Package. Is there a lead for powering the electric trailer brakes built into this rig?
or do I need a electric brake module that goes under the dash?
or do I need a electric brake module that goes under the dash?
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 36
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From: Mississippi
Expy and Electric Brakes
Yes, the wiring is in place for the brakes on the 7 pin, but you still need the controller.
There is a plug just above the drivers foot to plug in a controller.
The pigtail is pretty resonable from the dealer, and Autozone has them.
89 F150 4X4
97 Ranger SC
99 Expy
2000 F150 SC 4X4 7700
Ford Fan
There is a plug just above the drivers foot to plug in a controller.
The pigtail is pretty resonable from the dealer, and Autozone has them.
89 F150 4X4
97 Ranger SC
99 Expy
2000 F150 SC 4X4 7700
Ford Fan
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
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From: Edmonton Canada
Expy and Electric Brakes
I have just been through this.
What you have: With the tow package there is a plug receptacle under the dash (just up from the gas pedal) for connecting a brake controller.
What you need: Two things:
(1) an electric brake controller. These typically have wires coming out the back, but no special plugs as they can be used with different manufacturers trucks.
(2) a connector (I got mine from my Ford dealer for around $10). This is basically a short bundle of wires with the plug on the end to go into the plug receptacle under the dash. The brake controller is then wired into the connector.
Drive (and tow) well, Red
What you have: With the tow package there is a plug receptacle under the dash (just up from the gas pedal) for connecting a brake controller.
What you need: Two things:
(1) an electric brake controller. These typically have wires coming out the back, but no special plugs as they can be used with different manufacturers trucks.
(2) a connector (I got mine from my Ford dealer for around $10). This is basically a short bundle of wires with the plug on the end to go into the plug receptacle under the dash. The brake controller is then wired into the connector.
Drive (and tow) well, Red
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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Expy and Electric Brakes
Our 99 XLT with the tow pkg came with a sealed bag in the glove compartment containing the connector for above the gas pedal as well as a relay unit for the trailer electricals that plugged into the underhood fuse/relay box. If you have no power to your trailer, you may need to add this relay.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 37
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From: Edmonton Canada
Expy and Electric Brakes
aerocolorado makes a good point. I've ehard of new vehicles coming with the connector, but when we bought our used 2000 Expedition, no such luck.
I wasn't aware of the relay - we had power for lights, etc. the first time we plugged in, and the brake contoller worked first time as well. Perhaps the previous owner installed the relay, or maybe this truck came with it from the factory.
Anyway, you should now have the info you need!
Good luck, Red
I wasn't aware of the relay - we had power for lights, etc. the first time we plugged in, and the brake contoller worked first time as well. Perhaps the previous owner installed the relay, or maybe this truck came with it from the factory.
Anyway, you should now have the info you need!
Good luck, Red
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From: Annapolis, Maryland
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Posting Guru
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From: Chicago Area
When you install the brake controller and relay(s), all of the seven contacts on the trailer plug-in will be active. They are: hot (constant +12), ground, left stop/turn, right stop/turn, brake (variable for electric brakes), tail/running, & (usually) back-up. I think the hot is fused at 30 amps. You would need to confirm that, and check that it is adequate for your auxiliary battery and other trailer electrical loads.
Also, you would want to either use an isolator or be careful as to when that hot lead is on, in order to avoid discharging your starting battery.
Also, you would want to either use an isolator or be careful as to when that hot lead is on, in order to avoid discharging your starting battery.
Last edited by MrBSS; Mar 30, 2004 at 08:30 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 163
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From: Colorado Springs
I too have the trailering package, and had to install the relays when i got my 'new' 2001....apparently the previous owner didn't need to use them...
I am looking at adding brakes to the pop-up which is approaching the 3k pound limit requiring brakes and i wanted to get some feedback on the break controllers themselves...
- Is there a specific brand that stands out in quality/price?
- Are there specific features that I should look for in a brake controller?
Thanks for any feedback.
I am looking at adding brakes to the pop-up which is approaching the 3k pound limit requiring brakes and i wanted to get some feedback on the break controllers themselves...
- Is there a specific brand that stands out in quality/price?
- Are there specific features that I should look for in a brake controller?
Thanks for any feedback.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Colorado
dalfollo,
Check out the Prodigy brake controller made by Tekonsha. Folks swear by em and I love mine. It's an electronic inertial controller that adjusts the amount of breaking by sensing the G forces in the tow vehicle. Easy to set up and works great in many varied conditions.
Also, check out this forum if you have a popup you're towing. Great resource and very knowledgeable folks.
http://www.popupexplorer.com/forum/default.asp
Check out the Prodigy brake controller made by Tekonsha. Folks swear by em and I love mine. It's an electronic inertial controller that adjusts the amount of breaking by sensing the G forces in the tow vehicle. Easy to set up and works great in many varied conditions.
Also, check out this forum if you have a popup you're towing. Great resource and very knowledgeable folks.
http://www.popupexplorer.com/forum/default.asp
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Chicago Area
Normally brake controllers do not include relays. You might want to search the towing forum.
Personally, I prefer the Jordan controller because it directly senses how hard you are pressing on the brake. All others are time based (apply brakes harder the longer you apply them), or pendulum based (or the electronic equivalent).
Personally, I prefer the Jordan controller because it directly senses how hard you are pressing on the brake. All others are time based (apply brakes harder the longer you apply them), or pendulum based (or the electronic equivalent).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 163
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From: Colorado Springs
The relays i mentioned are for the Ford trailering package. There were two of them...i am not sure exactly what they were relaying, but i found them in the tire jack container in the passenger rear of the truck when i was going through my truck when bought...the simple instructions said i needed to add them, and I did.....there was also a 7-pin to 4-pin flat adapter for folks with a simple hitch connection....i do not know if the lights worked without the relays....could be the relays were only for the power wire and braking, as many people just need the running lights, stop and turn wires working.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Colorado
I'm not positive what the relays do,
But, after testing the 7 pin connector with a voltmeter, here's what I found.
All contacts had power (excluding ground) except for the 12vdc charge line when the relay was not installed. The reason it's not installed is I bought the 99 Expy used and did not find the relays.
So all the lights work etc. without the relay.
I ran an 8 GAW charge line, with inline 30 amp circuit breaker, to the rear to provide a charge line. This will provide the amps with less voltage drop than the OEM charge line.
But, after testing the 7 pin connector with a voltmeter, here's what I found.
All contacts had power (excluding ground) except for the 12vdc charge line when the relay was not installed. The reason it's not installed is I bought the 99 Expy used and did not find the relays.
So all the lights work etc. without the relay.
I ran an 8 GAW charge line, with inline 30 amp circuit breaker, to the rear to provide a charge line. This will provide the amps with less voltage drop than the OEM charge line.