Ford warns that Active Cruise Control can NOT be used with an aftermarket trailer brake controller

[TechnicallyReal]

Personally, I'm going to be using a Tekonsha P2 controller for our upcomming travel trailer purchase, simply because I never use cruise control when towing. Can't even begin to remember all the idiots and yahoo's who have cut me off over the years. Had I been on "cruise" I would have been wiped out. I'm just used to looking ahead and scanning my line of travel.
The ACC is a nice safety feature, and at low speed I can see where having the Ford controller hooked up would be a help....but at a regular or high speed panic stop, even with trailer brakes automatically engaged or locked up, you still have the momentum/weight of that trailer pushing your truck forward.

To each their own but I wouldn't want my family anywhere near you on the highway with thousands of pounds of trailer behind you and potentially no brakes in an emergency. Not to mention if you're not driving straight at the time and trailer decides that it's easier to pass you than to push you. There's also insurance to consider - will they decide not to cover you if you didn't meet Ford's requirements and get into an accident? There are also false alarms / AEB activating by mistake out of the blue, animals running across the road, and all kinds of other things that can happen. Everyone says these things will never happen to them, until it happens to them. I don't want to be preachy but I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to everyone by not bringing this stuff up.

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[Grumpaw]

I have no idea where your getting your info, and you may get down from your pulpit now.
You do realize that things like that ACC are relativity new, and that people have been towing trailers, and travel trailers for decades and decades using regular old brake controllers.
When I started towing we used hydraulic controllers that tied into the vehicles brake reservoir.
When the electrics came out, most were manually controlled...you had to hit it every time you came to a stop.
All I am doing is using a regular proportional brake controller that works just fine, as any of the same type controller will/would work. It is just that it will not control the trailers brakes when the ACC system is on.
I never use any type of cruise control when I am towing, anything, which means the ACC is OFF, and therefor it doesn't make a tinkers damn what type of controller I am using.
Since I and probably many others tow without using the ACC, it is no problem at all to use a regular controller.
Additionally, while there are many owners who tow and use the Ford version of the Tow Pro, there are probably just as many that are using regular non Ford controllers and like me just don't use the ACC when towing. As said, ACC is relatively new, and that means there are millions of people towing with perfectly good controllers in vehicles that are decades old, before ACC was even a thought in an engineers eye.
Ford is NOT saying you must use their controller...they are stating that a controller that is not of their design will not work with the ACC. They are NOT saying that a regular controller will not work, and in fact do supply the 4 wire hook up with the tow package, that will work with ANY regular control.
If Ford mandates that you MUST use their version of a brake control, and that the use of any non Ford control will damage or void warranty, than by law, they must supply that control free of charge.

 

[Floyd]

To each their own but I wouldn't want my family anywhere near you on the highway with thousands of pounds of trailer behind you and potentially no brakes in an emergency. Not to mention if you're not driving straight at the time and trailer decides that it's easier to pass you than to push you. There's also insurance to consider - will they decide not to cover you if you didn't meet Ford's requirements and get into an accident? There are also false alarms / AEB activating by mistake out of the blue, animals running across the road, and all kinds of other things that can happen. Everyone says these things will never happen to them, until it happens to them. I don't want to be preachy but I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to everyone by not bringing this stuff up.

By definition AEB is for people who fail to pay attention when driving.
Adaptive cruise control should never be used as an excuse to ignore the traffic in front of you.
When that alarm sounds you should be prepared to respond, not just look up and watch the collision.

Of course you have trailer brakes, AEB does not mean the brakes don't work any more than "lane keeping" means the steering wheel doesn't work, or that "adaptive cruise control" means the throttle doesn't work.
I don't have adaptive cruise control but I do have AEB and its purpose it NOT to to allow me to text and drive or take a nap behind the wheel.

"To each his own" but I wouldn't want my family anywhere near you on the highway with thousands of pounds of trailer behind you and you not paying attention to the traffic in front of you.

Cruise Control requires driver input to avoid a collision, but so does "Adaptive Cruise Control"
The AEB should never get beyond the warning stage without subsequent driver input.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

AEB isn't just for when drivers aren't paying attention.

Mine has kicked in twice when the vehicle in the lane to my right decided that they wanted to be in my lane with inches between the rear of their vehicle and the front of mine (good ol' Atlanta drivers) and nary a thought about a turn signal was given. After all, why warn someone when you're about to cut them off?

 

[THLONE]

AEB isn't just for when drivers aren't paying attention.

Mine has kicked in twice when the vehicle in the lane to my right decided that they wanted to be in my lane with inches between their vehicle and mine (good ol' Atlanta drivers) and nary a thought about a turn signal was given. After all, why warn someone when you're about to cut them off?

If you warn them that you want to change lanes then they will speed up so you cant get ahead of them. It is just hard racing you know.

 

[TechnicallyReal]

I have no idea where your getting your info, and you may get down from your pulpit now.
You do realize that things like that ACC are relativity new, and that people have been towing trailers, and travel trailers for decades and decades using regular old brake controllers.
When I started towing we used hydraulic controllers that tied into the vehicles brake reservoir.
When the electrics came out, most were manually controlled...you had to hit it every time you came to a stop.
All I am doing is using a regular proportional brake controller that works just fine, as any of the same type controller will/would work. It is just that it will not control the trailers brakes when the ACC system is on.
I never use any type of cruise control when I am towing, anything, which means the ACC is OFF, and therefor it doesn't make a tinkers damn what type of controller I am using.
Since I and probably many others tow without using the ACC, it is no problem at all to use a regular controller.
Additionally, while there are many owners who tow and use the Ford version of the Tow Pro, there are probably just as many that are using regular non Ford controllers and like me just don't use the ACC when towing. As said, ACC is relatively new, and that means there are millions of people towing with perfectly good controllers in vehicles that are decades old, before ACC was even a thought in an engineers eye.
Ford is NOT saying you must use their controller...they are stating that a controller that is not of their design will not work with the ACC. They are NOT saying that a regular controller will not work, and in fact do supply the 4 wire hook up with the tow package, that will work with ANY regular control.
If Ford mandates that you MUST use their version of a brake control, and that the use of any non Ford control will damage or void warranty, than by law, they must supply that control free of charge.

I never once mentioned ACC. I also never mentioned warranty. AEB (automatic emergency braking) is what you should worry about as it can turn from a safety feature into an even more dangerous situation if your equipment doesn't match. If you're not going to use compatible equipment, then turn off AEB when towing. Hiding from safety-related information won't make you safe.

By definition AEB is for people who fail to pay attention when driving.

AEB is absolutely not just for people who aren't paying attention. Animals, people, and vehicles do things that are unexpected regardless of how much attention you're paying. Not to mention false alarms where it potentially activates by mistake.

AEB isn't just for when drivers aren't paying attention.

Mine has kicked in twice when the vehicle in the lane to my right decided that they wanted to be in my lane with inches between their vehicle and mine (good ol' Atlanta drivers) and nary a thought about a turn signal was given. After all, why warn someone when you're about to cut them off?

This.

 

[Floyd]

AEB isn't just for when drivers aren't paying attention.

Mine has kicked in twice when the vehicle in the lane to my right decided that they wanted to be in my lane with inches between the rear of their vehicle and the front of mine (good ol' Atlanta drivers) and nary a thought about a turn signal was given. After all, why warn someone when you're about to cut them off?

So what do you do when you drive an older vehicle? Pay attention in traffic??

AEB is a safety enhancement unless you depend on it, then it is a liability.
Still it may be "better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"

 

[THLONE]

My guess is Ford engineers didnt think that so many people would use a little truck to tow heavy loads that need trailer brakes. But, the marketing people said we need to beat Chevy. I dont think that a 1/2 ton is really up to the task.

 

[TechnicallyReal]

You bring up a good point... proportional trailer brake controllers activate trailer brakes from rapid deceleration, independent of brake lights or tow vehicle brake input. So even without the Ford specific controller, any pendulum proportional controller will activate the trailer brakes when AEB is activated, not to mention the ABS vectoring and anti-sway control which helps keep the trailer behind where it belongs, and all of this should be in addition to, not in lieu of, driver competence and attention.
Should be safer than anything form the past with or without Ford's CYA afterthought.

Trailers with surge brakes are inherently AEB-safe regardless, which is nice.

So what do you do when you drive an older vehicle? Pay attention in traffic??

Older vehicles don't have the ability to slam on their brakes without your input. If something runs out in front of you while you're doing 70 mph on the highway, they just plow through it.

Vehicles with AEB will slam on their brakes and could potentially reach a full stop before hitting whatever ran out. With the wrong brake controller setup, those vehicles will try to stop, but perhaps the trailer doesn't want to and instead tries to pass the vehicle and jackknifes. Maybe it takes out the family in the next lane. The older vehicle without AEB probably only ends up with an animal in the grille. The one with AEB (but non-AEB-compatible brake controller) has increased odds of being totaled, or the trailer being totaled, or someone dying.

Fortunately you simply turn off AEB if they don't want to use a compatible brake controller. I urge anyone who isn't using the Ford controller to please turn off AEB while towing. It costs you nothing.

My guess is Ford engineers didnt think that so many people would use a little truck to tow heavy loads that need trailer brakes. But, the marketing people said we need to beat Chevy. I dont think that a 1/2 ton is really up to the task.

My guess is that they kept the wiring from the Euro/AUS model, slapped on AEB, and forgot to update the wiring.

 

[Grumpaw]

I never once mentioned ACC. I also never mentioned warranty. AEB (automatic emergency braking) is what you should worry about as it can turn from a safety feature into an even more dangerous situation if your equipment doesn't match. If you're not going to use compatible equipment, then turn off AEB when towing. Hiding from safety-related information won't make you safe.


AEB is absolutely not just for people who aren't paying attention. Animals, people, and vehicles do things that are unexpected regardless of how much attention you're paying. Not to mention false alarms where it potentially activates by mistake.


This.

My intent never was/is not to get into a pissing match over what is or isn't safe, but, you seem to place a lot of what always was/is a drivers responsibility to pay attention to what's going on when driving or towing, on "driver assist" mechanisms that, until just a few years ago, were non-existent.
Having driven aver approx. 2 million miles, and approx 200,000 miles towing, everything from a 6 foot utility trailer to 36 foot 5th wheel trailers, all with "regular" controllers, I am a firm believer in the "mark one eyeball" and paying attention to my and others driving. I will not ever depend on a device to take the place of common sense and safe driving practices.
And, in all those miles, and 55 years of driving and towing, I still have yet to be involved in an accident, not counting being rear ended or broad-sided by someone else.
If your not comfortable using anything other than the Ford controller, than by all means, use it...
But, I feel just as comfortable and confident using a regular controller, and turning off the ACC and AEB.
Your choice, and my choice.
And, although in the past we have traveled to Ontario several times, in the future, if our plans take us there, I will be sure to PM you our route and time period so you can avoid the roads while we're there.

 

[Floyd]

My guess is Ford engineers didnt think that so many people would use a little truck to tow heavy loads that need trailer brakes. But, the marketing people said we need to beat Chevy. I dont think that a 1/2 ton is really up to the task.

It certainly is "up to the task" but like all trucks, it may be less so as you approach the rated limits.
The Ranger is a better choice for anything under 4000 pounds and I run brakes on my Scamp13D which weighs half that.
NY requires brakes at 1000 pounds, that's less than a 7TH of the Ranger's tow rating.

A Ranger with a 7500pound trailer is just as "up to the task" as an F150 is with an 11000 pound trailer.

Not sure what the settings are on Adaptive Cruise Control, but I do know that following distances should be greatly increased and speed decreased when towing with any trailer.

 

[Floyd]

Trailers with surge brakes are inherently AEB-safe regardless, which is nice.


Older vehicles don't have the ability to slam on their brakes without your input. If something runs out in front of you while you're doing 70 mph on the highway, they just plow through it.

Vehicles with AEB will slam on their brakes and could potentially reach a full stop before hitting whatever ran out. With the wrong brake controller setup, those vehicles will try to stop, but perhaps the trailer doesn't want to and instead tries to pass the vehicle and jackknifes. Maybe it takes out the family in the next lane. The older vehicle without AEB probably only ends up with an animal in the grille. The one with AEB (but non-AEB-compatible brake controller) has increased odds of being totaled, or the trailer being totaled, or someone dying.

Fortunately you simply turn off AEB if they don't want to use a compatible brake controller. I urge anyone who isn't using the Ford controller to please turn off AEB while towing. It costs you nothing.


My guess is that they kept the wiring from the Euro/AUS model, slapped on AEB, and forgot to update the wiring.

I see this has degenerated to nonsense and Hyperbole... OK, I guess all Salient points have been addressed.
Can you actually turn off the AEB?? or are you confusing it with Adaptive Cruise Control?

From my owner's manual...

WARNING: When following a
vehicle, your vehicle does not decelerate
automatically to a stop, nor does your
vehicle always decelerate quickly
enough to avoid a crash without driver
intervention. Always apply the brakes
when necessary. Failing to do so may
result in a crash, serious injury or death.

WARNING: Adaptive cruise control
only warns of vehicles detected by the
radar sensor. In some cases there may
be no warning or a delayed warning. You
should always apply the brakes when
necessary. Failure to do so may result in
a crash, serious injury or death.

 

[VAMike]

You bring up a good point... proportional trailer brake controllers activate trailer brakes from rapid deceleration, independent of brake lights or tow vehicle brake input. So even without the Ford specific controller, any pendulum proportional controller will activate the trailer brakes when AEB is activated

I don't believe that is true--the proportional controller varies the current sent to the brakes but doesn't send anything if the vehicle brakes aren't engaged. If the trailer brakes came on every time they sensed deceleration there would be too many false positives/undesired trailer brake applications.

 

[TechnicallyReal]

My intent never was/is not to get into a pissing match over what is or isn't safe, but, you seem to place a lot of what always was/is a drivers responsibility to pay attention to what's going on when driving or towing, on "driver assist" mechanisms that, until just a few years ago, were non-existent.

I think you're missing the point. The problem isn't that people rely on AEB. That's all you seem to be fixated on. The problem is that AEB happens automatically. If it happens automatically when you are not expecting it to (which is exactly the situation when it would happen, otherwise you would have hit the brakes yourself!) then your non-AEB brake controller now poses a risk to you and those around you. That's it. If you think you can avoid every emergency situation on your own, or that you can beat AEB in a race in every emergency situation, then congratulations for being superman. Brag all you will about it.

I see this has degenerated to nonsense and Hyperbole... OK, I guess all Salient points have been addressed.
Can you actually turn off the AEB?? or are you confusing it with Adaptive Cruise Control?

It may sound like hyperbole until you're the one who its happening to. I've seen enough of it myself to know. There's no shortage of dashcam footage either. AEB is meant to happen in the more emergent of situations. Not just the most mundane boring of accidents that you're imaging.

Yes I've checked myself when this came up in another thread, and you can turn off AEB (not confusing it with ACC).

I don't believe that is true--the proportional controller varies the current sent to the brakes but doesn't send anything if the vehicle brakes aren't engaged. If the trailer brakes came on every time they sensed deceleration there would be too many false positives/undesired trailer brake applications.

This. The brake controller does nothing until the brake signal feeding it is activated. This is why the brake signal on AEB vehicles needs to be sourced from the brake lights instead of the brake pedal. If AEB activates, then reality is you've already failed to press brake pedal, and your trailer won't be stopping if it was wired to the pedal signal instead of the lights.

 

[Floyd]

I don't believe that is true--the proportional controller varies the current sent to the brakes but doesn't send anything if the vehicle brakes aren't engaged. If the trailer brakes came on every time they sensed deceleration there would be too many false positives/undesired trailer brake applications.

I had checked with Tekonsha several years ago when installing a P3 and I was told by their tech department that hard deceleration (even downshifts) would activate the trailer brakes due to the pendulum movement.
I checked the owners manual for that P3 just now and it was still a bit vague on the subject.
So I called Tekonsha once again to confirm and got electronic telephone run around.

Upon reflection however, I believe you are right and I was misinformed.
My Bad
(I have deleted that post)

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