Tow Package Upgrade Voids Warranty ????

[THLONE]

Thanks for what you did.

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[One Ranger]

So, moving my discussion over to this thread. My previous posts about the aftermarket Ford towing package are in this thread:

So here is my situation:

• got tired of waiting on my order, and found one on another dealer's lot, but without the trailer tow package
• added the "tow package" to a Ranger I purchased off the lot
• On the install date, it took longer than expected, i was in a hurry to get out of the dealership to go to hospital visiting hours and did not do a very good inspection
• once I got the truck home later that night, I noticed that there was no electrical socket (4 pin or 7 pin) in the bumper

I have been in discussion with the dealership now for 2 weeks. Dealer originally told me that they looked up my VIN, and all I could tow was 3,000 lbs. and all I needed was the 4 pin connector. I had to restate that I had NO CONNECTOR installed and could not hook up the trailer lights as it was delivered back to me; I believe they thought the dust cover on the right side of the bumper for the spare tire mechanism was the 4 pin connector. I replied that they had bad information, and provided them with a scanned copy of the owners manual that detailed that was delivered with my truck showing the towing capacities and configurations, and also some links to the Ford accessories site for the trailer hitch showing the 4 and 7 pin connector. i informed they I wanted what I paid for.

Today, I had the dealer aftermarket sales manager, general sales manager, and AER manufacturing (Ford accessories supplier) all on a call today. I was "informed" that "Ford said" there is no aftermarket 7 pin connector, and they could only do the 4 pin. I gave them a link to the TFL Truck video where the Lead Engineer is discussing that Ford Service has a brake controller, (start at the 6:30 mark) and I told them that for a brake controller you needed the 7 pin connector. I also gave them the Ford part number for the wiring harness for the 7 pin connector. I brought up that they told me before I bought the truck that the trailer tow package would include the 4 pin and 7 pin connectors and be just like factory, and ee actually looked at one on the showroom floor and pointed to the connectors as we discussed it.

So again, I had to inform them they had bad information. I've asked for the warranties in writing along with my towing capacities with and without a brake controller on either Ford letterhead or dealership letterhead. I don't have that yet.

The AER guy replied back that yes there will be one available. It is currently going thru the safety and crash testing. It should be available soon but is not currently available for sale. I'm not sure if he meant the brake controller, wiring harness, or trailer hitch.

I ended the call today with questioning whether we could "unwind" the deal and I would take the Ranger that I ordered with the factory trailer tow package when it arrives in a couple of weeks. They said they would get back to me within the hour, and I am still waiting several hours later tonight.

More later...

 

[VAMike]

I'm gonna say they're crash testing the wiring harness. Because that's the most amusing answer.

 

[Jason L]

More later...

You more than likely have the 4 pin. It was installed on the truck from the factory, it would have been under the bumper just left of center. When they put the new receiver on, the wire is too short to clear the added girth, so it's probably hanging just behind the bumper. Someone posted a pic further up. That is where mine is now, and I am towing just connecting it there (I only need 4 pin for now).

The wire harness needed is on backorder. There is nothing "being created or tested" they just don't have enough stock. Wire harness is super easy to pop in. You also need the "outlet sleeve", the black cover you see on the bumper, that part is available (I already installed it) just cut the outline imprinted on the bumper with a utility knife and snap it in.

Long story short, the parts exist, 2 that you need are available, 1 is on backorder.

 

[Jason L]

I noticed in the other thread you have a pic of the outlet outline. You cut on that outline (thin plastic) and the outlet pops in and clips to the metal frame behind it that is already there (it's part of the receiver they installed).

The 4 wire connector will be behind that point, it was mounted under the bumper. You can still use it, it's just inconvenient to dig under bumper to connect.

There is a connector under the bumper that the 4 pin connects to. It's about 4ft of wire in total. You disconnect the harness and replace it with one that plugs into the back of the 7 pin. There are a few other "snap on connections" on the harness, 4 for backup sensors and 2 for license plate lights. There are 8 snap connections in total, all reachable without removing the bumper.

I am hopeful the harness will be stocked by the 6th (latest estimate I heard).

 

[Jason L]

Here's a picture of roughly what the 2 parts you need look like (not exact part numbers). No tools required.

 

[Jason L]

Here is a pic of what the 4 pin connector looks like (taken from another user who had dealer swap the hitch) and you can see it zip tied under bumper lower left corner, has a rubber cover on it..

Check out the "trucks w/o tow package" thread for more images and part numbers.

 

[One Ranger]

Thanks for the info. The aftermarket sales manager called today and I'm taking it in Monday to finish the job (hopefully). They are sticking with their story that Ford does not offer a 7 pin connector except on factory installations. So, they are going to have an aftermarket company complete the tow package installation of the 7 pin and 4 pin wiring, sockets, etc. to the bumper.

 

[One Ranger]

Thanks for the info. The aftermarket sales manager called today and I'm taking it in Monday to finish the job (hopefully). They are sticking with their story that Ford does not offer a 7 pin connector except on factory installations. So, they are going to have an aftermarket company complete the tow package installation of the 7 pin and 4 pin wiring, sockets, etc. to the bumper.

So, went back to the dealer this afternoon and they did finish the job. The dealership sent it out to an aftermarket company that does all sorts of custom work--lift kits, bumpers, performance mods, and of course trailer hitches and wiring. Took less than an hour including 5 minute drive each way. It's amazing what competent folks can do.

They installed an aftermarket 4 pin and 7 pin connector under the bumper and screwed it into the receiver hitch, The dealership is sticking with their line that "only Ford can install the wiring on the bumper." I'm tired of working with them, so I took it immediately to a H-Haul dealer and the let me test it by hooking up to a trailer with a 4 pin connector. Trust but verify. Everything worked fine. I will probably never tow a trailer big enough for a brake controller or 7 pin connector. But, its there if I need it.

Photo below--and no, the connectors are not attached to the spare tire, but it does look like that from the angle I took the photo.

 

[tombdmot]

Still waiting for the factory tow package to arrive: Bought a 19' without the tow package because it had all the other features we wanted minus the towing and part of the deal was installation of a complete tow package. 2 months on with no known time of delivery in sight. Could be weeks or months or? Reading this thread makes me wonder if they ever do get the parts, will they add the 7-pin as part of the "package". I do need the extra three pins to pull what I'm hoping to eventually pull with the truck I bought to pull it with. Dealers made it sound like the install would be no big deal and take no time at all if I buy the truck. Dealer is now saying it is a nationwide issue and nothing they can do. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[joeb427]

Still waiting for the factory tow package to arrive: Bought a 19' without the tow package because it had all the other features we wanted minus the towing and part of the deal was installation of a complete tow package. 2 months on with no known time of delivery in sight. Could be weeks or months or? Reading this thread makes me wonder if they ever do get the parts, will they add the 7-pin as part of the "package". I do need the extra three pins to pull what I'm hoping to eventually pull with the truck I bought to pull it with. Dealers made it sound like the install would be no big deal and take no time at all if I buy the truck. Dealer is now saying it is a nationwide issue and nothing they can do. Anyone else experiencing this?

I've been waiting too. Someone here mentioned the tow pkg backorder will end 1/31. If true, we're looking at around 3 weeks.

 

[tombdmot]

I called Ford Parts and they confirmed no availability at this time. Hoping the 1/31 date is good info. Other option is to order receiver and wiring from etrailer.com. Looks like they have Ford Ranger parts ready to ship in about a week and install would take about 4 beers. Would have to get the dealer to reimburse me though.

 

[joeb427]

I called Ford Parts and they confirmed no availability at this time. Hoping the 1/31 date is good info. Other option is to order receiver and wiring from etrailer.com. Looks like they have Ford Ranger parts ready to ship in about a week and install would take about 4 beers. Would have to get the dealer to reimburse me though.

I like the stock set up look.
Yes, they should reimburse you.

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

I've been waiting too. Someone here mentioned the tow pkg backorder will end 1/31. If true, we're looking at around 3 weeks.

I called Ford Parts and they confirmed no availability at this time. Hoping the 1/31 date is good info. Other option is to order receiver and wiring from etrailer.com. Looks like they have Ford Ranger parts ready to ship in about a week and install would take about 4 beers. Would have to get the dealer to reimburse me though.

Unfortunately it looks like the manufacturing source has been changed AGAIN and there is still no current ETA for the KB3Z-19D520-A. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[joeb427]

Unfortunately it looks like the manufacturing source has been changed AGAIN and there is still no current ETA for the KB3Z-19D520-A. Sorry for the bad news.

Thanks for the update. I can wait. No biggie.

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