Question about Ford integrated brake controller

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by emtp82

Funny you brought this up. I was worried about the same thing with my setup. I came across an article from ford, but can't seem to find it at the moment, that said the factory installed controller will only apply the amount of brake needed to stop the trailer based off of the speed of the truck.

You may be on the right track. The integrated brake controller does just that-integrates the trailer brakes with the TV brakes. The first video below is on the Ford controller. I have included the 2nd GM brake controller video because it gives you specific instructions on how to do it. The GM also tells you to do this while you are towing. Ford would likely be the same method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUtB7o61IPQ

Video: GMC Sierra's Electric Trailer Brakes | GM Authority

[UltraV]

Thanks for the videos. The Chevy video indicates that lock-up may not happen with a heavy trailer. I think that is the situation and at that point I'm left with assuming that a maximum gain setting is sufficient.

[Davidg]

Very interesting thread. When I bought my first Ford Superduty, it was a 2011 F250 4x2, and I had a Durango fiver that weighed aprox 8000 lbs. The Truck integrated brake controller would definitely lock the trailer brakes at a gain of 7-8. I usually ran with the gain set at 6.
So when I bought the Silverback that was a substantially heavier trailer, the same truck would not lock the trailer brakes even with a gain of 10, although the brakes were definitely working well. I was kicking myself for not having had the dealer address that before I pulled out, but I figured it was just a brake adjustment.
So, late last year, I traded up to a 4x4 F350. Exact same situation....even with a gain setting of 10, the trailer brakes would not lock up. When I manually squeeze the controller brake lever the brakes would work and work well, but would not lock up.
I have suspected it had something to do with the auto adjusting brakes on the camper, but not certain.
I was interested in CWSWine's comments about the settings in the DIC. What is a DIC and where is that located? I hate to plead ignorant, but in this case I am.

[CWSWine]

The DIC is the Driver Information Center and is located in front of the driver. Scroll down to the "Settings" then "Driver Assist" and there are a couple settings dealing with trailer towing. These should be set prior to towing. I'm not sure if F150 has this screen but my 2015 F350 does.

[PenJoe]

When pulling an empty cargo trailer, I have to nearly turn off the gain because the trailer wheels lock up. Loaded, the gain is 5-6 without locking up.

It all has to do with friction where the tires meet the road and the road surface. With a light load, the brake pads have the advantage of grabbing and locking causing the tires to break traction. Put more weight on the tires, the more the pads have to work to break tire traction, but the brake pads still have the upper hand. Finally, adding enough weight, the brakes will slow the roll, but will burn the pads before the tires. Moisture or loose surface can change those ratios.

[CWSWine]

Just a after thought - When I went to set mine towing up in the DIC the brake setting was set to "Light" and the Trailer Sway Control" was also set to "OFF". So if you haven't check it you might want to. I don't know about other models trucks but might want to look and see if you have those settings.

[Baldicon]

I don't think the F150 has those settings, but I'm going to look to make sure. I do know that the sway control is turned on, it scared the poo out of me when a flat nosed tour bus passed me on the interstate running probably 80mph (him not me). Also, I thought that I read the statement mentioned earlier in this thread that on heavy trailers, you may not be able to lock the wheels. But I've slept since then.

[Davidg]

Okay CW. I was having a brain poot. However, I just hooked my truck/trailer up and nowhere can I find different settings for light, medium, heavy. But I will be making a short trip soon, and I'll have more time to check it out. I don't think I can turn the sway control off.
Back to the manual.....

thanks..

[bpadamson]

I have a 13 F250 and our 5th will lock the wheels.

[Big Vic]

On both my trailers, I cannot get the brakes to lock up on my 2014 F-250. Brakes were checked and properly adjusted, and if I pull the tongue emergency cord, the brakes do lock up. The dealer told me that my truck has a proportional brake controller, that will not lock up but still is working properly. Apparently the truck senses speed and rate of deceleration when using the brake controller.

[CWSWine]

My 5er is 14,100 lbs with 10,980 on my rear axles and it will lock up at 8 setting but it is also a F350.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Davidg

Okay CW. I was having a brain poot. However, I just hooked my truck/trailer up and nowhere can I find different settings for light, medium, heavy. But I will be making a short trip soon, and I'll have more time to check it out. I don't think I can turn the sway control off.
Back to the manual.....

thanks..

I had a 2015 F150 and set the power rating to medium. Ford sets the default on all at light. With my 2016 F250 light even at 10 was of little use. Set at medium and 7.5 and all is good. Pulling 10,200 with 1950 on the pin.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

I had a 2015 F150 and set the power rating to medium. Ford sets the default on all at light. With my 2016 F250 light even at 10 was of little use. Set at medium and 7.5 and all is good. Pulling 10,200 with 1950 on the pin.

Did you have a trailer sway setting? Was it set to 'off in the DIC'? Mine was. What is sad is the dealer had no clue about the settings or how to set them.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

Did you have a trailer sway setting? Was it set to 'off in the DIC'? Mine was. What is sad is the dealer had no clue about the settings or how to set them.

I do not recall how it was set when I bought it but know it was on while I had it. My salesman could not find the brake control settings but the tech knew where it was ~~ I found it first though

[emtp82]

It turns out that I did save that notice about how the trailer brake operates.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3T...ew?usp=sharing

[CWSWine]

Yes that says that and I quote "At very low speeds, including at rest, the Ford controller sends a proportionally smaller amount of output voltage"

That is only at low speeds. Here what it says how to check for proper operation.
"Calibration is performed by driving at speeds between 15 and 25 mph (24 and 40 km) and manually activating the trailer brakes. If they lock up, the driver is to tune the gain setting down to the level just below wheel lockup."

If I travel less than 15 mph my brakes won't lock but at 15 mph and above they will lock.

There a lot more information on how to check the trailer brakes that is a good read.

[tragusa3]

Subscribed. Mine won't lock up either. I always thought it had to do with the computer regulating sway and anti-lock. However, if that is the case, the instructions on setting the controller need to be revised. And/or, you would think that using the manual override would bypass the computer to allow you to do your setup properly.

I set mine on 10. I've never felt weak on braking, even down steep grades.

[Davidg]

Okay CW, I found the screwup...it was me! Your directions were spot on, and I found the low, med, high brake output. Mine was set at medium. It is now on high. I will find out in 2 days how much difference it makes, but your post was very helpful.
I'll admit that I was a little dubious at first, but something about how you described it just rang true.

Thanks

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Davidg

Okay CW, I found the screwup...it was me! Your directions were spot on, and I found the low, med, high brake output. Mine was set at medium. It is now on high. I will find out in 2 days how much difference it makes, but your post was very helpful.
I'll admit that I was a little dubious at first, but something about how you described it just rang true.

Thanks

I only use high when towing the cat dozer. Medium works for my 5er, but I've not tried to lock that up.

[Davidg]

John, it's not that I want the trailer brakes to lock up, but I want to be able to extract the best braking performance possible. I may very well end up resetting it back to medium, but I want to test the high setting, just for my own knowledge.