Installing just the factory brake controller?
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Installing just the factory brake controller?
I have a 2005 f 350 truck. I have heard you can add just the ford factroy brake controller with out adding the master cyleder and reprograming the computer.
When installed to the existing wiring harness, it would act just like any other after makert controller.
Is this true? or are there other modifications that need to be done to make it work
When installed to the existing wiring harness, it would act just like any other after makert controller.
Is this true? or are there other modifications that need to be done to make it work
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
I have a 2005 f 350 truck. I have heard you can add just the ford factroy brake controller with out adding the master cyleder and reprograming the computer.
When installed to the existing wiring harness, it would act just like any other after makert controller.
Is this true? or are there other modifications that need to be done to make it work
When installed to the existing wiring harness, it would act just like any other after makert controller.
Is this true? or are there other modifications that need to be done to make it work
if you are going to spend the money on the iTBC why not use it?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
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From: Frederick, MD
Why is that? I have had two trucks with the tbc from the factory and both work perfectly.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Lancaster, MA
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Love mine too, but I don't think it's worth retro-fitting. The Tekonsha units work great for a lot less money and hassle.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 435
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We just returned from our 1250 mile Christmas vacation towing our 5th wheel with our new SD. I set the TBC gain to 6 and it worked great the whole trip. Smooth and no chattering or annoying "lead" brake application. If it ever quits, I'll be replacing it with the same. Far better towing experience than with my previous inertia type brake controllers. For the cost of adding it and the master cylinder to a truck without it, I might suffer the inertia controller. It wasn't unbearable but the TBC is really nice.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I think there are two primary reasons why some people are hot happy with the Ford TBC.
1. People who have towed for a long time get used to feeling the heavy trailer brakes tugging on their truck. It's a reassuring feeling that those brakes are there and functioning. But the Ford unit is so smooth that you rarely will ever feel any jerking from the trailer. It truly does work with your truck brakes for a smooth operation.
2. People also have a problem with testing the unit, and watching the bar graph on the front. What they don't realize is that the controller will not put out high voltage unless the truck is moving over 25 mph or so. Not sure of the exact speed, but you get the idea. Below that, it only puts out a holding voltage. So if you put a voltmeter on the rear plug, and step hard on the brakes, you're not going to get much voltage. The controller is integrated with the truck and it knows how fast the truck is moving. Something an aftermarket controller has no way of knowing.
1. People who have towed for a long time get used to feeling the heavy trailer brakes tugging on their truck. It's a reassuring feeling that those brakes are there and functioning. But the Ford unit is so smooth that you rarely will ever feel any jerking from the trailer. It truly does work with your truck brakes for a smooth operation.
2. People also have a problem with testing the unit, and watching the bar graph on the front. What they don't realize is that the controller will not put out high voltage unless the truck is moving over 25 mph or so. Not sure of the exact speed, but you get the idea. Below that, it only puts out a holding voltage. So if you put a voltmeter on the rear plug, and step hard on the brakes, you're not going to get much voltage. The controller is integrated with the truck and it knows how fast the truck is moving. Something an aftermarket controller has no way of knowing.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
bpounds- exactly!
I have often said the way to dial in the intial setting for your TBC is a nice flat surface, plenty of stopping area.
Get the truck and trailer up over 25 mph and just using the TBC attempt to stop both truck and trailer. Do this till the trailer iself is capable of stopping both in a reasonable length and without locking up the trailer brakes.
Now keep in mine if you are only going 25-30 mph you should stop rather quickly.
Adjust the gain as necessary and then take it out on the open road and see how it feels. You may want to adjust one way or the other as you get more experience with the ITBC.
I have often said the way to dial in the intial setting for your TBC is a nice flat surface, plenty of stopping area.
Get the truck and trailer up over 25 mph and just using the TBC attempt to stop both truck and trailer. Do this till the trailer iself is capable of stopping both in a reasonable length and without locking up the trailer brakes.
Now keep in mine if you are only going 25-30 mph you should stop rather quickly.
Adjust the gain as necessary and then take it out on the open road and see how it feels. You may want to adjust one way or the other as you get more experience with the ITBC.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 435
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The book says to start at 6. I chickened out and started at 3. With our relatively light 8500 lb 5th wheel, I didn't want to lock 'em up trying to make a normal stop. I wound up with the gain set on 6 and it's perfect. Once in a while I'll feel the trailer pull the truck back but most of the time it's an unnoticeable easy stop as if the trailer wasn't there. Can't ask for better than that! I hope to never feel the trailer jerking the truck again as the pendulum swings in the inertia style controller. Gone too is the grabbing "hold" voltage that's applied with a mere hint of brake light signal to the controller. My magpie is a lot quieter now with her power seat and smooth brakes!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 5
From: Stillwater, OK
I can lock my 10,000# trailers brakes at <10 mph
I added the iTBC because I hate inertia controllers with a passion. In an electrical engineering course I designed and even specd out parts to create a brake controller that tapped into my brake lines on a 1977 c-10 ...never built it though, but still might one day.
I added the iTBC because I hate inertia controllers with a passion. In an electrical engineering course I designed and even specd out parts to create a brake controller that tapped into my brake lines on a 1977 c-10 ...never built it though, but still might one day.