New 2016 Roo 183 owner with questions!!

[sparty047]

The RV dealer noted the rear end was wired for the coupler from your trailer........you still need a TBC at the other end!!!! chit!! more $$$$$$!!!


google ford 2014 dash integrated trailer brake controller and choose "images" to verify what one looks like.


Good news is that Ford has a coupling up under the dash.....into which you can plug a harness to attach an aftermarket TBC.....



Better news (other than the ~$175 you will spend on the harness and controller) is that etrailer.com has a DIY video showing you step-by-step.



Go to etrailer.com and type in the info for your explorer.....they will list recommended goodies for towing with the howto stuff.



Like others, I bought the Tekonsha P3 with a GMC harness and followed the info for my 2004 Sierra.

I took maybe 60 min, with most time devoted to deciding where to drill holes under my dash to mount the TBC.



Do these things.....then circle back to the first posts....where all us happy helpers were assuming you already had a TBC and needed to adjust it.



Best news.....you will be astounded at how much easier your rig will brake when the trailer is actually braking itself!!!! So far it has only been pushing on the back end of your Explorer.

Lucky for you that your Roo is so light...though in a full on emergency brake situation it would have added 30-50 feet or more to your stopping distance.


Ask your questions here....one of us has already made that same error!
Lucky for you, we learned and are willing to share. go team!

[ebcobra93]

Found this in the 2014 Ford Explorer Sport towing guide:
1. Electronically Controlled Brakes usually provide automatic
and manual control of trailer brakes. They require that the tow
vehicle be equipped with a controlling device and additional wiring
for electrical power. These brakes typically have a control box
installed within reach of the driver and can be applied manually or
automatically

I am pretty sure I do not have an integrated controller. Guess I will be installing a BC this week...

[ebcobra93]

Thanks Sparty! Yes, I made my last post before reading yours. I am a little annoyed with the dealer for not mentioning anything about a brake controller. I incorrectly made the assumption that because I have a trailer plug wired for electric brakes, that they would work.
It does sound like a simple job to install the brake controller. Glad I figured this out before my next trip.

Thanks everyone!

[bikendan]

When you wrote "truck", most of us wouldn't have thought that you meant an Explorer, since it's not considered a truck. Especially the new ones.
Don't think any Explorer has an integrated BC, only Ford's truck line has them.

[ebcobra93]

Yeah, we use the term "truck" pretty loosely...just to differentiate it from our commuter car and mini-van. Thanks

[sparty047]

Yup! Now you know...which is most of the battle.

etrailer ships freaky fast...I live in central lower Mi and got my stuff delivered to my doorstep in 2-3 days!!

BTW...the dealer missed that your rear light did'nt work so why would they have it right on the TBC. Surprised they did'nt want to sell you one. The usually make $150 by charging $300 to install, when it's an easy DIY.

Note some minor dooh-dads you might want from etrailer (plastic chock blocks, etc) as you are over the $99 free shipping limit with the TBC and (because I failed to emphasize) FORD EXPLORER WIRING HARNESS!! which will be denoted on the correct P3 kit for your vehicle.


I mention it cause I got interrupted when I was picking up items (my WD hitch, clip on towing mirrors, ball grease, etc) and when I came back I erroneously ordered the P3 w/o any vehicle harness. I had to place a 2nd order and pay shipping (just for the harness).

BTW....I am merely a customer of etrailer....they just have an incredible web master and do a lot of videos showing how to use stuff. They also are very slick at updating you with shipping notices and provide a nice human touch after the sale....package well and ship fasssst! Seems a great company.

PS...check out their selection of bear repellant for hybrid trailers....<inside joke for a different post>

peace/out




HEY! Just saw you live in Whitmore Lake!

[rockfordroo]

ebcobra93: When you go on etrailer, put in your vehicle and model year, THEN search for BC's, and it should take you to the Prodigy P2 and P3 with the proper harness for your vehicle. BUT: Read the material on each one to ENSURE it comes with the proper harness, because it WILL give you some others. You want the one that says "with factory 7-way"

You don't want the one that just comes with a pig-tail (i.e., bare wires at the end).

[ebcobra93]

Very true on the rear light (which I fixed yesterday). Just spent 20 minutes under the Explorer dash looking for the "pre-wired" BC plug and didn't find it. I read that it could be in one of two places...will have to check again after my neck returns back to normal.

Yes, e-trailer seems to be a pretty good site. I've bought most of my things on Amazon thus far, but I will have to keep them as a resource...and source of bear repellant.

I see you are in mid-Michigan...my wife is from Bay City.

[ebcobra93]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

ebcobra93: When you go on etrailer, put in your vehicle and model year, THEN search for BC's, and it should take you to the Prodigy P2 and P3 with the proper harness for your vehicle. BUT: Read the material on each one to ENSURE it comes with the proper harness, because it WILL give you some others. You want the one that says "with factory 7-way"

You don't want the one that just comes with a pig-tail (i.e., bare wires at the end).

Thanks Rockford. I already have the factory 7-way harness installed, so I just need the Ford adapter to the BC harness under the dash.

[rockfordroo]

I already have the factory 7-way harness installed, so I just need the Ford adapter to the BC harness under the dash.

That's why you want the one that says "with factory 7-way." If you get the one "without factory 7-way" you'll get the BC harness with bare wires.

[ebcobra93]

Yes, you are correct. Sorry, I misread your initial post and thought you were suggesting that I need to purchase it with the 7-pin harness. Anyway, I'm good. Have a P2 on order.

[Purdyquibb]

ebcobra, Just my 2 cents. When I installed my p3 on the old explorer I was almost ready to give up thinking I just didn't have one, Its a pain in the neck to find. You mentioned there could be two different locations, I am not aware of the second but I can tell you on mine (06) I had to take out the glove box(Which was easy to do) reach up into the dash and it was taped to a support bar of some sort so well the entire harness was covered, I couldn't even see the connector I could only feel something was under the tape. But if you go to the left hand side of the glove box and almost straight up hopefully you will find it. Oh, Then best of luck fishing it over to the drivers side lol. But remember it can be done.

[ebcobra93]

Thanks for the input Purdy. On "most" newer Explorers (based on my research), Ford finally got smart and moved the connector to the driver's side. It's still a pain to find though. Mine was directly above the hood release latch. I could see it through the small gap between the latch and the molding. One plastic cover had to be loosened so I had enough room to get my fingers around the connector and move it to where it was a little more accessible. It's tied up very well though, and is hard to maneuver.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Strap is for your awning in case awning motor fails.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "4 nights"

Hey do you know how to override the motor, I have no idea where the release is in case the motor fails and I had to bring this in Manually?


2014 Ford F-150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB 3.5 Twin Turbo

2015 Roo 23IKSS Saphire
2015 (3) Nights Camped

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Hey do you know how to override the motor, I have no idea where the release is in case the motor fails and I had to bring this in Manually?


2014 Ford F-150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB 3.5 Twin Turbo

2015 Roo 23IKSS Saphire
2015 (3) Nights Camped

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Look here.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...do=file&id=168

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "4 nights"

[karrun]

Quick question about the P3. I was surprised on ours to see it display even when our vehicle is off and keys removed. Do most of you ermine it and store it when not in use? I'm just afraid I'll forget to install it next time if I do that.

[sparty047]

Good question.


That pretty blue LED uses less power than the memory on the clock in your tow vehicle audio system!

It's there to let you know all is hooked up to power.

A stoopid petty theif might actually mistake it for an alarm and hesitate to break in.

For these reasons, I leave it alone......and would never ermine it (lol).


peace / out

[karrun]

Lol. Dumb spelling error using my smart phone. Thanks for the Roly!

[karrun]

Sigh...

[wicked1]

P3? I missed something


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS
2014 (18) Nights Camp'd
2015 (6) Nights Camp'd

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums