Time to bug ya'll again. Brake controller.

[SteveH]

Looks interesting. Though I doubt it will link to the collision avoidance system in the Ranger. Thoughts please?
Echo: A Wireless Brake Controller for Your Smartphone (curtmfg.com)

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[Trigganometry]

Looks interesting. Though I doubt it will link to the collision avoidance system in the Ranger. Thoughts please?
Echo: A Wireless Brake Controller for Your Smartphone (curtmfg.com)

Do a search on here. Think these have been discussed already. Personally I would prefer a wired version so when it hits the fan I know it’s going to work. Pretty difficult when your in pucker mode to pull over and reboot to try again! ?

 

[Fordup]

I had Vanbortel install the Ford controller before I picked it up and that one has been great so far plus it's warrantied to work with the truck. Just plug and play with anything that has electric brakes.

 

[SteveH]

I had Vanbortel install the Ford controller before I picked it up and that one has been great so far plus it's warrantied to work with the truck. Just plug and play with anything that has electric brakes.

I'm waiting for a quote from Vanbortel. Mind telling me what they charged?

 

[Fordup]

$449.00 Installed before delivery plus tax. I think the controller was $349.00 and Install$100.00. It really has worked great with my dump trailer so far.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I had Vanbortel install the Ford controller before I picked it up and that one has been great so far plus it's warrantied to work with the truck. Just plug and play with anything that has electric brakes.

Same here, works great ( after it took dealer 4 tries to get it right)

 

[TheDo114]

Insight by Hopkins: nSIGHT™ Flex-Mount™ Brake Control (hopkinstowingsolutions.com)

Easy to install and really modular.

 

[SteveH]

$449.00 Installed before delivery plus tax. I think the controller was $349.00 and Install$100.00. It really has worked great with my dump trailer so far.

Can you take a pic of it when you get time?

 

[deleriumtremor]

When I bought the Ranger, I didn’t plan on pulling anything heavy enough to require a trailer brake controller. Of course now we are tossing around travel trailers again, so I will have the factory unit installed.

In my last truck 1/2 T GMC, came with the factory controller and while I never used it, I loved the fact that it looked like it was part of the original design of the truck, which itself was pretty nice, not unlike my new Ranger.

The truck before that was also a GMC and while it had the receiver hitch etc. from the factory, it didn’t have a brake controller. I bought that truck to tow a pretty heavy enclosed trailer, so the first thing I did was buy the top end Tekonsha controller. I installed it myself and mounted on the lower panel of the dash, left of the steering column.

The Tekonsha controller was fabulous controller, always worked great for the 14 years I owned it, maybe half of those towing a close to the limit enclosed car hauler.

Even with that great experience operationally with the Tekonsha, I always hated the occasional knee clip getting in and out, the having to look to miss it when trying to set the parking brake, etc.

From that time on, I vowed to get a factory controller and avoid the aftermarket kits. Integrated design really pays off in my book.

 

[brroberts]

I love the P3 and still use it in my C2500. For the Ranger I bought the Ford branded Redarc. I prefer the P3, but wanted the Ford because it ties into the AEB.

 

[raytwntrvlr]

I know my post is not directly tied to your question but as a point you might consider as long as you are thinking about braking issues... four wheels braking is much better than two. When I downsized to a Ranger sized travel trailer, I put tandem axle as a must have on my new trailer. BTW, I installed a Hopkins nSight controller and I've been very happy with it.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Insight by Hopkins: nSIGHT™ Flex-Mount™ Brake Control (hopkinstowingsolutions.com)

Easy to install and really modular.

I like the look of this one.

Amazon shows it as not compatible with the Ranger.

Did you have to do anything special to get it to work with your truck?

 

[Jason B]

I like the look of this one.

Amazon shows it as not compatible with the Ranger.

Did you have to do anything special to get it to work with your truck?

My guess is that is says not compatible is because it doesn't integrate with the Pre-collision and AEB.

 

[SteveH]

I know my post is not directly tied to your question but as a point you might consider as long as you are thinking about braking issues... four wheels braking is much better than two. When I downsized to a Ranger sized travel trailer, I put tandem axle as a must have on my new trailer. BTW, I installed a Hopkins nSight controller and I've been very happy with it.

The rig I'm looking at is dual axle. That was one of many specs I wanted in in choosing a camper.

 

[Big Blue]

Lots of threads on this subject. Most aftermarket controllers will work just fine in the Ranger. But they will not tie in the ACC and AEB systems, like the Ford kit.
The problem I have with the Curt Echo Bluetooth unit is it requires your phone to be connected to give you access to manually apply trailer brakes if necessary. I like a hardwired controller for this reason alone. I have heard it does work with ACC and AED because it uses the trailer brake light signal to trigger the brakes. evidently they have done some programing wizardry so turn signals don't affect it but 4-ways do. probably an OK option for infrequent towing, but I would not use for a travel trailer.
All in all the Ford kit is your best option. it is very unobtrusive works well and works with all the safety features. And, it is approved by Ford if that matters to you.

All that said I have the Redarc controller in my truck without the added module to tie in ACC and AED. This is because Ford did not have their kit ready when I bought my 2019 XLT and needed a controller to tow my TT. I had a Tekonsha in my 2011 Ranger and loved it but did not want a knee knocker in my new truck. So I researched and found the Redarc unit. My truck does not have ACC. So, the only thing I'm missing is AED, would love to have it but not going to spend the money on a complete new kit just for the module to tie it in. If Ford would sell a retrofit kit, I would be all over it.

Let's hope Ford does a better job on integrating a brake controller with the 6G rollout.

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