2018 Expedition Brake Controller

backon4 · 04-20-2018, 07:02 PM

Just upgraded the TV to a new Expedition. It has the class 4 hitch but not the heavy duty package with the integrated brake controller. It came with a harness with the wires clearly marked, so I'll easily be able to splice into the old controller cable and BC from my explorer. However, I can't find the plug which should be marked TCB:STOWAGE.
Do any of you have any information that would help me locate it?

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I appreciate the help.

backon4 · 04-22-2018, 09:11 AM

I found the answer on a Ford forum but thought I should follow up in case another member has the same question. The connector is plugged into the back of the square tray where the Ford Brake Controller would be if it came with it. Drop the panel under the steering column by pulling down from the top to release clips on the top and sides. Then removed the metal bracket with 4 screws that's behind it. Then you can reach the back of the square tray and press the release to disconnect the connection from it's holder. I could have bought the oem controller for $100 but my aftermarket Primus is less than a year old so it will do.

thebrakeman · 04-23-2018, 03:37 PM

Glad you found it. Happy camping!

thebrakeman · 04-23-2018, 03:39 PM

Wait, you upgraded from an Explorer to Expedition?
The connector should be the same. Send the new harness from the Expedition with the new Explorer owner, and keep the same harness you have been using.

...unless the Explorer is already gone.

backon4 · 04-23-2018, 04:22 PM

I kept the harness and the controller from the 2013 Explorer, and the 2018 Expedition was different. I just cut off the connector and spliced it to the generic harness that came with the Expedition. I didn't expect it to be plugged into an empty storage slot but the factory controller would replace it and be plugged in the same place, so i guess it makes sense to Ford.

thebrakeman · 04-24-2018, 01:18 PM

The connector must be different, for vehicles that have the OEM controller option.
I have a 2006 Mountaineer (Explorer clone). Before my dad got his own brake controller, I would lend him my controller and harness. Plug and Play with his 2007 Expedition.

backon4 · 04-24-2018, 01:50 PM

I think it's a change with the 2018 model year. First I contacted etrailer to see if they had a harness since that's where the controller and old harness came from. She said they don't have a harness or information on the location of the plug for the new Expedition. You can see in the picture of the old one, it's square, but the new style is more rectangular shaped.

backon4 · 04-24-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Wait, you upgraded from an Explorer to Expedition?
The connector should be the same. Send the new harness from the Expedition with the new Explorer owner, and keep the same harness you have been using.

...unless the Explorer is already gone.

Yes it's gone, and at 228,000 miles I think it's trailer pulling days are winding down anyway.

thebrakeman · 04-25-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backon4

I think it's a change with the 2018 model year. First I contacted etrailer to see if they had a harness since that's where the controller and old harness came from. She said they don't have a harness or information on the location of the plug for the new Expedition. You can see in the picture of the old one, it's square, but the new style is more rectangular shaped.

Yes, that 6-wire, nearly-square end is what Ford used for a long time.

Each OEM typically has the same connector across all models for a particular model year. Does anybody know if Ford changed all 2018 models to this new connector?

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