2017 Lincoln Navigator Trailer Brake

[jimmcg29]

Could anyone tell me about towing with a 2017 Lincoln Navigator L? I purchased the vehicle used with no intention of pulling a TT. I Just purchased a Wildwood X-lite trailer and waiting on delivery. The weight and everything are within what the vehicle can handle. My question is if and what do I need for a brake controller. The Lincoln dealer tells me (without a lot of confidence) that I have everything I need. I think what I have is the same as other Fords in this model year. If you go to the information screens you can see all the trailer information turn on/off sway control, adjust brake gain etc. Since I don’t really have a trailer, yet I can’t test things. Anyhow, all the research I have done so far, is the brake controller should have physical buttons and the Ford truck videos all have physical buttons and levers. I do have the 7-pin jack in the back along with a 4 pin jack I use for my small utility trailer.

Even though the weight of the trailer is within the limits outlined in the owner’s manual I plan to get a WDH with sway control. Anything else I should Know? Years ago, I remember hearing about things like transmission coolers and what not but was never concerned about it since I didn’t pull anything.

[Flybob]

Sounds like you may have what you need in the TV. If you have a factory installed tow package, it likely has an integrated trailer brake and an aux trans cooler. As for specs, owners manuals are generic and misleading. Check the yellow sticker on the drivers door jamb. You want to find load (cargo) capacity. This is the max load the vehicle is designed for. It will include the total of the passenger weight, cargo in the TV weight, 100lbs for WDH and the tongue weight from the TT. The tongue weight from the TT will be about 13% of the max gross weight of the TT. Do not use dry weight. Do your research ask questions here and do not trust dealers.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by jimmcg29

Could anyone tell me about towing with a 2017 Lincoln Navigator L? I purchased the vehicle used with no intention of pulling a TT. I Just purchased a Wildwood X-lite trailer and waiting on delivery. The weight and everything are within what the vehicle can handle. My question is if and what do I need for a brake controller. The Lincoln dealer tells me (without a lot of confidence) that I have everything I need. I think what I have is the same as other Fords in this model year. If you go to the information screens you can see all the trailer information turn on/off sway control, adjust brake gain etc. Since I don’t really have a trailer, yet I can’t test things. Anyhow, all the research I have done so far, is the brake controller should have physical buttons and the Ford truck videos all have physical buttons and levers. I do have the 7-pin jack in the back along with a 4 pin jack I use for my small utility trailer.

Even though the weight of the trailer is within the limits outlined in the owner’s manual I plan to get a WDH with sway control. Anything else I should Know? Years ago, I remember hearing about things like transmission coolers and what not but was never concerned about it since I didn’t pull anything.

It's hard to answer your questions without knowing which Wildwood model you're going to get. Wildwood makes small to large trailers, with very different tongue weights and trailer weights. Most certainly you'll need a brake controller and your owners manual will state what trailer weight will require a WDH.

[rsdata]

Certainly have a mechanic put in a transmission cooler which it may already have, but a mechanic can look to see that it has once on a lift. If you have 50K miles on it I would also change the tranny fluid.

Do you have P-rated ( passenger tires) or LT tires? I would upgrade if you have P tires.

The cargo capacity of the Navigator will be presented on a sticker on the driver side door pillar... don't exceed the capacity poundage listed on that sticker, which is passengers + cargo + tongue weight + weight dist hitch... calculate the tongue weight as 13% of the GVWR of the trailer and do not use the published hitch weight OR Dry weight of the trailer.

[Thomas ho]

look up Curt brake controller. Google it. plug and play. have vin# handy, mounts under steering colum. i have put them in 2 vehicles its easy. may have to add a fuse under hood . look it up also.

[bikendan]

Tekonsha Prodigy brake controllers are most awarded controllers.

[rsdata]

If you have to add a controller, ( which is NOT clear in the original post that you do) then I would lean on the experts at etrailer dot com and talk to them about what actually need

[JROtexas]

The brochure (Google it) for the 2017 Navigator says you have as standard equipment:

Class IV Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package with brake module wiring;
frame-mounted, heavy-duty2" hitch receiver with 4-/7-pin wiring connectors;
heavy-duty flasher and transmission cooler;
and trailer sway control

That said, in my 2014 Expedition there is a trailer brake control module in the dash, right below the a/c controls - above the console, with two buttons which allow you to adjust the 'gain' for the trailer brakes and levers which allow you to apply the trailer brakes. If you don't see something like that, then you need to get a brake controller.

One further note - if you get a wdh with sway control (like an Andersen) it is recommended that you disable the factory trailer sway control.

Enjoy your new adventures!