EJH
Well-Known Member
Only with the Ford OEM Redarc controller. If you have an aftermarket TBC, you are getting the brake signal from the brake pedal, which will not activate on EB or ACC braking.
Sponsored
Sponsored
BassRanger
Well-Known Member
BassRanger
Well-Known Member
The Ford/RedArc trailer brake controller changes absolutely nothing with trailer's indicator lamp functionality. If you have the Ford/Redarc TBC, an aftermarket, or no TBC at all. If the trucks brake lights are on for any reason, the trailer's will also be on.No true with an aftermarket controller. Blame the way Ford wired the connections under dash
- Banned
- #35
That's my whole point. They're nice. I didn't buy a brand new truck with all kinds of nifty features to have to turn them off sometimes. Nobody is saying that any of that stuff should take the place of proper driving. But they're a nice addition to it.
I certainly wouldn't recommend to a flyby poster who seems to be very unknowledgable about towing with a Ranger to just use "any controller." While you have the sense to turn those features off, he may not. For all we know he could be rolling down the road now using ACC and a old Hayes Engage.
It's not a matter of "depending" on them. It's a matter of using all the tools in your toolbox.
If you change a tire do you skip the torque wrench too?
No true with an aftermarket controller. Blame the way Ford wired the connections under dash
But the brakes themselves might not if you're using an aftermarket controller and the truck is doing the braking instead of you.
That's all he is saying.
Who cares if the trailers brake lights are on if it's coming around beside you because the truck braked before you could?
BassRanger
Well-Known Member
Unless I'm lacking reading comprehension, he very clearly stated that the trailer's lights would not indicate with AEB or ACC braking. That is incorrect. That's all I'm saying.
- Banned
- #37
Yes, that was incorrectly stated in the first post.
But that was not at all the point of the post. It was two words in a multi paragraph post that was otherwise correct.
As a third party I even read your corrections as "brakes" not "lights" for a bit. Because, again, who cares if the lights come on if the trailer is towing you?
bfastr
Well-Known Member
come on down to Tennessee and watch Skeeter and Bubba in their 25 year old pickup pulling a horse trailer at 85 in the car pool lanes with no trailer lights.
TN doesn't require registration for personal trailers, or inspections. I bet 75% of the trailers here have no connection to the lights, no trailer brakes and usually no two tires match , if you are lucky a trailer will have one brake light working, just one. yet somehow these rubes end up in the ditch less often than the idiot cutting and weaving thru traffic updating his social media.
TN doesn't require registration for personal trailers, or inspections. I bet 75% of the trailers here have no connection to the lights, no trailer brakes and usually no two tires match , if you are lucky a trailer will have one brake light working, just one. yet somehow these rubes end up in the ditch less often than the idiot cutting and weaving thru traffic updating his social media.
Fritz
Well-Known Member
I don't understand why I would need the special ford brake controller to get the AEB to work. Normally you use the cold side of the brake switch to trigger the trailer brakes. If I tap into the third brake light wire(or any brake light wires) instead wouldn't that work to make the AED work on the trailer?
BassRanger
Well-Known Member
IIRC the signal going to the CHMSL is not a steady current +12V. I believe it is a PWM signal, so the lumen unit converts that modulated signal to a basic +12V/0V on/off signal that the TBC needs.
edit.
....on that same note, I'm pretty sure that the wireless controllers will work with the AEB, ACC systems since they simply rely on the brake lamps for a trigger signal. Unfortunately because of this the hazards also trigger the trailer brakes on those units.
fslec
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Rob
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2020
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 63
- Reaction score
- 92
- Location
- Clarence New York
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 Ranger XLT Sport Livernois Tune
Another point is trailer brake lights are in no way linked to the actual trailer brakes which have a circuit all by themselves. Using a standard controller hooked to the 3rd brake light should activate trailer brakes if the 3rd light comes on, but it will NOT turn on the trailer brake lights if activated by EB or ACC. Things are not always "HARD WIRED" the way they used to be.
There is really on 2 solutions...
A) install Ford controller or
B) install regular controller and NEVER tow with EB or ACC.
There is really on 2 solutions...
A) install Ford controller or
B) install regular controller and NEVER tow with EB or ACC.
BassRanger
Well-Known Member
Yes, A standard trailer brake controller absolutely will not turn on the trailer brake lights...... Neither will Ford's TBC, because they trailer brake controller does not control the trailer's brake lights. The trailer's brake lights will come on with the truck's brake light, as they normally do.
CoMtnRanger
Active Member
I have the tow package, it's more than a receiver hitch and larger plug. It has drivetrain management (tow mode) that provides engine braking during downhill via transmission management, and the package also adds trailer sway control via brake management. I have towed with and without the tow mode engaged. The tow mode makes a huge difference in handling and stability, especially downhill, in cross-winds, curves and lane changes.
Jedadiah
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Jed
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2021
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 366
- Reaction score
- 964
- Location
- Central Kentucky
- Vehicle(s)
- Former '21 SuperCab Owner
I don't have the tow package and my Ranger has these things too. As far as I know, every Ranger has Tow/Haul since hauling could be a bunch of heavy stuff in your bed or your trailer can have surge brakes.
Tow package is the factory hitch and a 7way plug. Nice stuff, but that's it.
Last edited:
