What? No Brakes on My Trailer? Really?

[delaware dave]

Hi all! I am driving a 2017, F-150, 2.7 engine, XLT, with max tow package. I have had the truck about 6 months and very pleased. I am pulling a 2017 Roo 23ws. Everything seems to handle fine, but truck does not have a trailer brake controller. I thought it was braking the trailer, but Ford dealer says no brake controller/adjuster means no brakes on the trailer. Truck has backup assist and tow setting on the shifter. Is it really possible that Ford would sell a tow package truck without a adjuster to signal brakes on the trailer? That seems crazy. For what it’s worth, brake lights on trailer work fine. Adding a brake controller is going to cost me almost $500.

[D W]

What kind of a brake controller are you adding that costs $500? Are you adding a Ford production system? You can add a decent Tekonsha brake controller w/ plug & play adapter harness for a lot less that $500.



https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-...0-tk90160.aspx


Make note of the Controller and Adapter Harness and shop around for the best price.

[Rover Podder]

Are you sure you have the Max Tow Package? Because that package should include the electronic brake controller.


If you need to add a controller, you can add the OEM brake controller yourself. ($150) Relatively easy although you have to take the center console area apart. But it plugs right in. Then you can use Forscan to program it yourself for free. Or typically dealers charge around $100 to program it.

https://www.amazon.com/Ford-FL3Z-19H...e/dp/B010GJ3N5


https://forscan.org/home.html

[simiHal]

Have you checked the manual to verify it’s not a dash screen option? Did you buy the truck brand new? If so you may try raising hell with dealer because it should have the controller included with a max tow package. If they say no then add it yourself and try small claims court.

[simiHal]

Here’s a link to the brochure for your truck. Notice it says the break controller is included.
https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...50_r3_Nov8.pdf

[Cb25 Joe]

The brochure says it’s available, not included.

[JimM2109S]

On the question if Ford would sell a truck with a tow package but exclude the brake controller, YES they will and do. 2019-2021 Ranger is a prime example. Has excellent tow rating IF your trailer has brakes, yet they do not include the controller in their tow package. I went with the OEM version that they finally came out with almost a year after the 2019s went into production.

[pilotpip]

Originally Posted by simiHal

Have you checked the manual to verify it’s not a dash screen option? Did you buy the truck brand new? If so you may try raising hell with dealer because it should have the controller included with a max tow package. If they say no then add it yourself and try small claims court.

It's not on fords. If he has the trailer assist, he should have the brake controller right below that. I don't think there's a package that has the assist without the factory brake controller.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

It's not on fords. If he has the trailer assist, he should have the brake controller right below that. I don't think there's a package that has the assist without the factory brake controller.

The Ford brochure linked to in post #5 shows there is 1 Pro Trailer Assist Package that does not include a brake (not break) controller.

What is a break controller anyways? Does it stop the truck after 8 hrs straight driving to make sure the driver gets a break?

Most vehicle tow packages do not include a brake controller. My Dodge Durango has a tow package - everything in place except for the brake controller. But all I had to do was get the correct wiring harness for the brake controller I purchased and installed myself so it was just plug and play into the provided receptacle located next to the fuse panel.

[jay2703]

53C is the Max Tow Package and should include the Brake Controller as shown in the brochure.

[simiHal]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

The Ford brochure linked to in post #5 shows there is 1 Pro Trailer Assist Package that does not include a brake (not break) controller.

What is a break controller anyways? Does it stop the truck after 8 hrs straight driving to make sure the driver gets a break?

Most vehicle tow packages do not include a brake controller. My Dodge Durango has a tow package - everything in place except for the brake controller. But all I had to do was get the correct wiring harness for the brake controller I purchased and installed myself so it was just plug and play into the provided receptacle located next to the fuse panel.

You are correct. I misspelled brake. As far as MOST tow packages DoNot include the brake controller. You didn’t look at the brochure. They all include it but one (53C) which basically doesn’t have anything.
As far as a “break controller”. My guess is it would likely be some obnoxious administrator who is micro managing his/her subordinates.

[jay2703]

Originally Posted by simiHal

You are correct. I misspelled brake. As far as MOST tow packages DoNot include the brake controller. You didn’t look at the brochure. They all include it but one (53C) which basically doesn’t have anything.
As far as a “break controller”. My guess is it would likely be some obnoxious administrator who is micro managing his/her subordinates.

You have it backwards, the 53C has everything except the 4 pin harness.

[SmittyCorp]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

It's not on fords. If he has the trailer assist, he should have the brake controller right below that. I don't think there's a package that has the assist without the factory brake controller.

My 17 XLT came brand new, with backup assist and no brake controller. The dealer added the controller for me, for less than $300. Seemed high, but I wanted the factory in-dash controller, not another knee-knocker. Money well spent.

[Chuck_S]

HD Tow is different from mere Tow.

The Ford integrated brake controller included in the HD Tow option on my Expedition is worth every penny. Expedition usually runs a couple of years behind the F150 regarding options so I have no trailer backing assist etc.

Without HD Tow on my Expedition there would not be a brake controller but one, including the Ford model, will simply plug in under the dashboard and (perhaps) need a 7-pole connector on the rear of the truck. HD Tow has both.

-- Chuck

[Jfkmk]

If I’m not mistaken, max tow was not available with the 2.7l.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by Jfkmk

If I’m not mistaken, max tow was not available with the 2.7l.

You are correct needed a 3.5L, at least for the '19 model year.

[5picker]

Yep... I believe we received some incorrect information from the OP and quite possibly, they are confused about what they have/don't have. Especially since they towed the R/V and never went through the steps necessary to set the brake gain and manually test their controller. I think they believed that you just connect the 7 pin, latch the trailer to the ball, go down the road and braking functions happened automagically. (they said they thought it was braking the trailer but Ford confirmed there was no controller) They seem to also have confusion that if the brake lights work on the trailer, then it should be braking the trailer and that's simply not how trailer brakes works.

Not only will they need a controller, but someone to school them on how towing a R/V works and how to set their newly acquired controller. Hopefully they have their weight distributing hitch set up ok too? I would hope they bought this used off a private individual because any dealer that would sell a R/V and allow the customer to leave the lot without knowing the most basic of basic R/V 101 stuff should be put out of business.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Yep... I believe we received some incorrect information from the OP and quite possibly, they are confused about what they have/don't have. Especially since they towed the R/V and never went through the steps necessary to set the brake gain and manually test their controller. I think they believed that you just connect the 7 pin, latch the trailer to the ball, go down the road and braking functions happened automagically. (they said they thought it was braking the trailer but Ford confirmed there was no controller)

On the positive side all these gloom and doom online "experts" who advocate needed a 1 ton truck because "what happens if your trailer brakes fail if pulling a 6300GVWR trailer" can rest easy. A Ford 1/2 ton can stop it and the driver doesn't even notice the lack of brakes.

Safe travels

[MrPalazzo]

I just purchased, installed(plug n play), and used successfully a 'brake controller'... for a simple $50. What's your issue?

[Texas Trey]

Originally Posted by delaware dave

Hi all! I am driving a 2017, F-150, 2.7 engine, XLT, with max tow package. I have had the truck about 6 months and very pleased. I am pulling a 2017 Roo 23ws. Everything seems to handle fine, but truck does not have a trailer brake controller. I thought it was braking the trailer, but Ford dealer says no brake controller/adjuster means no brakes on the trailer. Truck has backup assist and tow setting on the shifter. Is it really possible that Ford would sell a tow package truck without a adjuster to signal brakes on the trailer? That seems crazy. For what it’s worth, brake lights on trailer work fine. Adding a brake controller is going to cost me almost $500.

I had a 2017 F-150 XLT with the 5.0 v8. It had everything for towing EXCEPT the brake controller. I got the Ford Brake Controller and installed at my local Ford dealership for around $300. Shop around other Ford dealerships to see if you can get a better price. Plus my trailer dealership required me to have a brake controller installed before I could even take delivery of the trailer. The trailer dealership adjusted the brake controller for me and then explained how to make adjustments on my own if needed.