8492 - 2019 Ranger - Trailer Brake Controller Availability

[shelbygt350]

Same here, then too, my dealership said that if my truck came with the tow package, that FORD should be covering the cost to install this. Waiting to hear back for confirmation.

hi Ray I got the chrome package never got off road package or hard cover did have ford spray in bed liner

Sponsored

 

[t4thfavor]

I just received mine, the instructions to install do not use all of the pre-wires, just the Blue & Yellow. This interesting thing is that you have to run and tap into the high mount brake lamp. The set up uses a separate electronic box in use after the Redarc control box.

Did I read this correctly that those stupid bastards at For (No offense Phil) installed 4 wires for a brake controller, then determined it was unsafe to use, so they have their installers tap the high mount stop light and capture a ground from another unrelated fastener somewhere in the footwell? Now I've seen it all.

First time someone gets killed because the brakes go full retard, I'll be making popcorn to watch the class action lawsuit.

 

[JonB]

It is my understanding that the electric brake controller must be purchased separately and is not part of the trailer tow package. Seems strange to me, but when you consider that Ford is marketing this to the sport crowd that might only pull a wave runner or a bike trailer it might make sense. But then, who knows.

I chose to have mine installed by the dealer for two reasons - one, I negotiated it into the purchase price and two, if something did go wrong it's on them not me. I know I could have done it (retired mechanic) and done it cheaper, but I decided to play it safe.

 

[t4thfavor]

It is my understanding that the electric brake controller must be purchased separately and is not part of the trailer tow package. Seems strange to me, but when you consider that Ford is marketing this to the sport crowd that might only pull a wave runner or a bike trailer it might make sense. But then, who knows.

I chose to have mine installed by the dealer for two reasons - one, I negotiated it into the purchase price and two, if something did go wrong it's on them not me. I know I could have done it (retired mechanic) and done it cheaper, but I decided to play it safe.

I'm well aware of that, I've had my brake controller installed since March... What I'm asking is this: They install 4 wires to hook a brake controller to as part of the factory trailer package, then they only use two of them when installing the "factory" brake controller because they need to get a brake signal somewhere other than the violet with green stripe wire that they literally provide as part of the trailer package...

I can only think it has something to do with the TSB that says something like "Aftermarket brake controllers will kill you if the emergency braking feature comes on".

 

[JonB]

t4thflavor - That TSB is another reason I had the dealer do the install. And sorry, can't answer your question since I had nothing to do with the installation other than paying for it.

 

[Ray Miller]

I haven't heard back yet from the dealership in contact with the regional FORD rep. I had been told that FORD may be installing this free if you have the tow package installed from manufacturing.

 

[JonB]

I haven't heard back yet from the dealership in contact with the regional FORD rep. I had been told that FORD may be installing this free if you have the tow package installed from manufacturing.

Ray - let us know what you find out about this. I'm very interested since I got the tow package but still had to pay to have the brake controller installed

 

[Aliby]

I installed the P3 and have about 5700 miles of towing on it. Trailer is about 6000 pounds. Never had any issue, the P3 works well.
EDIT: Now have 9,300 miles, over 8,000 towing. Absolutely NO problems with the P3.

Can you post a photo showing where you mounted the P3? I wanted to mount my P2 below the steering column, but to get it facing square forwards in a place I can see and reach is not easily.

 

[Ray Miller]

Ray - let us know what you find out about this. I'm very interested since I got the tow package but still had to pay to have the brake controller installed

Talked to the dealership again today and was told this could take some time. They said the have to go through the proper channels starting with the Regional Rep whom isn't even in the PNW. I'll update new information when I receive any.

 

[RangerJeff]

I installed the P3 and have about 5700 miles of towing on it. Trailer is about 6000 pounds. Never had any issue, the P3 works well.
EDIT: Now have 9,300 miles, over 8,000 towing. Absolutely NO problems with the P3.

Has your emergency braking ever engaged while towing? Also where did you mount the box??

 

[J Haggerty (RADAR1)]

I just received mine, the instructions to install do not use all of the pre-wires, just the Blue & Yellow. This interesting thing is that you have to run and tap into the high mount brake lamp. The set up uses a separate electronic box in use after the Redarc control box.

My guess is that the extra box gets a signal from both the Autonomous Emergency Braking and the brake pedal input, and sends which ever one it receives to the brake controller, whereas an aftermarket unit will only get the trailer activation signal from physically pressing the brake pedal.

If true, that means that if the AEB kicks in, then your trailer brakes will not activate properly until you realize you need to brake and hit the brake pedal. If the AEB only sends a pulsing/flashing signal to the brake lights then that's what your trailer controller would see unless the extra box magically transforms that into a solid signal.
Fortunately, I always allow extra distance in front of me, and if the AEB did kick in for some emergency reason I hope I would realize it quickly enough to actually apply the brake pedal myself.

 

[t4thfavor]

Can you post a photo showing where you mounted the P3? I wanted to mount my P2 below the steering column, but to get it facing square forwards in a place I can see and reach is not easily.

I stuck mine to the handle that you pull in order to open the in cabin fuse panel with a giant magnet. I posted lots of pics in another thread.

If that is the case with the aeb, then ford will be in deep shit if someone gets squished because they used a brake controller connected to the factory wiring harness.

 

[Fordstanger]

Interesting about the contingency if the truck came with a tow package.

This would be be a good one to ask the rep at the upcoming auto show circuit. Probably won’t get a good answer but I wonder if the reps are armed with anything to tell a potential customer why they can’t tow something (needing a brake controller) with a truck that has a tow package?

 

[Montana Ranger]

Interesting about the contingency if the truck came with a tow package.

This would be be a good one to ask the rep at the upcoming auto show circuit. Probably won’t get a good answer but I wonder if the reps are armed with anything to tell a potential customer why they can’t tow something (needing a brake controller) with a truck that has a tow package?

What gets me is that Ford markets the Ranger as having "best in class" towing capability and documents the requirement for a brake controller, but then sends out a service bulletin admonishing the installation of any non-Ford controller when a genuine Ford controller is not even available, meaning that you can't actually tow anything more substantial than a U-Haul.

Major screw-up.

 

[JonB]

In terms of towing weight, the Ranger can tow more than other mid-size trucks. There is a Ford trailer brake controller, or at least one that Ford says is theirs. I had it installed by the dealer.

Sponsored