Dealer Installed brake controller

[Flyer]

Yes, that's at the heart of all of this. Ford was quite clearly driving rangers around with redarc controllers before the lumen module was available, and it wasn't a problem until (presumably) someone in legal freaked.


At a certain point "liability" is just FUD. Ford almost certainly would have liability if they advertise that the truck has AEB but don't make it clear that it doesn't work with a trailer except in a specific configuration. But for an end user, who isn't required to have AEB in the first place? I don't see it. This isn't a situation where you'd sue Ford claiming that you wouldn't have had an accident if AEB was working, this is a case where you have an accident and you're already liable--how does any of the agonizing over brake controllers change anything? If you want to avoid liability for an accident with your trailer, load it properly, keep your speed down, and leave plenty of space. If AEB doesn't come on none of this matters, and if it does come on while towing you were probably screwed anyway (and based on general observations, nothing personal, if AEB comes on while towing the guy pulling the trailer was probably driving like an asshat.)


My last new car just barely avoided being totalled after being hit from behind and slammed into something else. Over the years, long after there was any chance of getting the body shop to admit it was their fault, all sorts of things cropped up. Nothing ever goes back as well as it came from the factory. If I planned to dump it a year or two it wouldn't matter, but no way any dealer I've ever delt with would fix a broken clip years after they pulled on it but sometimes things can fail prematurely even if not immediately. Or the half-assessed tape that papered over the issue wears out.

With all the info provided on the site here regarding TBC's whether aftermarket installs before the Factory kit with the Tow Pro was released and those that redid installs or new with the factory kit, I decided to go factory kit and do install myself. This site and everyone's shared experiences really laid out the direction I'm going for the tbc.
Also as others mention, prices are coming down.
I order Factory kit online from Varsity Ford as they were selling them for $263.01 + shipping.
Came in on Saturday, so my project for next weekend, weather permitting.

A thank you to all that provided info about the tbc installs.

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[t4thfavor]

It's only a legal problem when the first person crashes because their AEB enabled while towing, and they end up crashing themselves because the trailer doesn't brake (and they don't hit anyone else).

I had been towing for 6 months with a Prodigy P3 hooked up to the factory provided wires before anyone even mentioned that it didn't work with AEB (I had a suspicion that it wouldn't).

It's nuts to me that they can sell a truck where half the marketing touted the tow capacity, and the only brake controller that's ford approved is available from Ford, and only ford. At a minimum they should have to retrofit customer trucks that were purchased prior to the Redarc being available with the ECU module hooked up to the factory provided wires under the dash.

I want to be able to unplug my brake controller and move it to another vehicle in 5 seconds (which I have several that have the Prodigy harness installed). Instead of having to pay triple for a built in controller, and a 100$ more for a portable one.

 

[MXGOLF]

Ok then what should I do? I ordered from Ford the Ford Brake controller. They then installed one off the shelf the CURT Triflex Brake Control. I didn't realize what they did until I got home. Should I have them install the correct Factory Brake Controller? I am going on vacation at the end of May and will be towing my new tent trailer. Is there any comments on the CURT model? Should I have them still install the factory one? This whole deal really made me mad as I mentioned when I dropped off my truck that they already had the factory controller in under my name. IDIOTS. I have not towed yet with the CURT one.
Thanks,

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Ok then what should I do? I ordered from Ford the Ford Brake controller. They then installed one off the shelf the CURT Triflex Brake Control. I didn't realize what they did until I got home. Should I have them install the correct Factory Brake Controller? I am going on vacation at the end of May and will be towing my new tent trailer. Is there any comments on the CURT model? Should I have them still install the factory one? This whole deal really made me mad as I mentioned when I dropped off my truck that they already had the factory controller in under my name. IDIOTS. I have not towed yet with the CURT one.
Thanks,

Hi Mark,

Unbelievable!...tell these single cell amoeba brain techs to do it right and put in the Ford version of Red Arc... !

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[MXGOLF]

Thanks Phil, I will be doing that on Fords dollar.

 

[t4thfavor]

Ok then what should I do? I ordered from Ford the Ford Brake controller. They then installed one off the shelf the CURT Triflex Brake Control. I didn't realize what they did until I got home. Should I have them install the correct Factory Brake Controller? I am going on vacation at the end of May and will be towing my new tent trailer. Is there any comments on the CURT model? Should I have them still install the factory one? This whole deal really made me mad as I mentioned when I dropped off my truck that they already had the factory controller in under my name. IDIOTS. I have not towed yet with the CURT one.
Thanks,

Go wreck your truck and blame it on the lack of auto emergency brake integration, then sue the dealer for negligence.

 

[cory1848]

Yea thats crazy, I would be letting corporate know about that as well. The dealer installed mine and now I have to figure out how to remove it since they are in process of a buyback with my Ranger. Should be fun....

 

[PhilG]

Was it awful because it was the first one and it was a learning experience? After doing a few do you think techs will get it down to that half hour?

I just installed the Ford (Redarc) module and lumen module in my 2021 Ranger. It took me 5 hours. I think with practice I could get it down to 2-3 hours, but never 30 min. I drilled holes in the metal frame to hold the modules ... that alone took 20 min, but it is very secure.

 

[alcohenusa]

Had my dealer install the Ford TBC a couple of weeks ago. Was supposedly tested but I found today that it does not work (with a trailer or any other method of testing). The only response we get out of the unit is the pulsing blue light when pressing in on the knob. Acts the same with or without a trailer. The truck knows when a trailer is connected.

They looked at it today and are assuming a bad unit. Ordered a new one and we’ll see what happens when it arrives next week.

If the next one doesn’t work, will try the standard Tow Pro Elite or the Curt wireless TBC.

 

[alcohenusa]

Had my dealer install the Ford TBC a couple of weeks ago. Was supposedly tested but I found today that it does not work (with a trailer or any other method of testing). The only response we get out of the unit is the pulsing blue light when pressing in on the knob. Acts the same with or without a trailer. The truck knows when a trailer is connected.

They looked at it today and are assuming a bad unit. Ordered a new one and we’ll see what happens when it arrives next week.

If the next one doesn’t work, will try the standard Tow Pro Elite or the Curt wireless TBC.

Decided to go try it again as this has really been bugging me. Well, out of nowhere it is working. Will test it again over the next few days and if it consistently works, will tell the dealer to leave it be. We have a trip coming up in a few weeks and cannot go without working trailer brakes.

 

[Jason B]

I just checked Ford Ranger accessories Trailer Brake Control - Towing Pack 2 | Customize Your Ford. It is labeled as TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL - TOWING PACK 2
and the list price is $527.33.
Is this an updated system or has it always been called that?

 

[WhyNot21]

I just checked Ford Ranger accessories Trailer Brake Control - Towing Pack 2 | Customize Your Ford. It is labeled as TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL - TOWING PACK 2
and the list price is $527.33.
Is this an updated system or has it always been called that?

Same as this one. Maybe the Pack 2 means 2x the price? ?

https://www.levittownfordparts.com/...xas0m-Jvxhjdst5D3XjWR2S_NLH0c6lkaAhmnEALw_wcB

 

[alcohenusa]

I just checked Ford Ranger accessories Trailer Brake Control - Towing Pack 2 | Customize Your Ford. It is labeled as TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL - TOWING PACK 2
and the list price is $527.33.
Is this an updated system or has it always been called that?

I think it’s always been called ‘pack 2’. Part number has not changed. I would get it from Levittown before the price goes up there too!

 

[mark_anderson_us]

So why not just tack on another $300 to the tow package to include the controller? I dont mind paying for it but if I am being charged for a tow package and sold a vehicle with a 7500lb rating, include the controller.... Marketing may have missed this but engineering/design dropped the ball as well by thinking a truck didnt need this to safely tow that weight. Someone had to sign off on it... Either way, as long as this controller does what it states, I am good to go. I didn't pay labor so my dealer made it right. I hope Ford makes the dealers right.

They could have least run the wire and put a plug on under the dash.

 

[jblc]

Decided to go try it again as this has really been bugging me. Well, out of nowhere it is working. Will test it again over the next few days and if it consistently works, will tell the dealer to leave it be. We have a trip coming up in a few weeks and cannot go without working trailer brakes.

How were you testing this without a trailer?
I installed mine, and don't have a trailer to test with -- I get no lights, unless I double click on the knob, which brings about the pulsing blue glow you were referring to. I can't get it to do anything else.

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