Crowd-sourced Trailer Brake Controller's List for 2019 Ford Ranger

What Brand of Confirmed Working Trailer Brake Controller Do You Have Installed?


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mark_anderson_us

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Really need to have a separate option in the survey for the Ford/Redac system. Many of us put in the Redarc before Ford came out with its "approved" setup because we needed a brake controller.
So is the redarc and ford now the same thing?
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Big Blue

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So is the redarc and ford now the same thing?
No, the Ford uses a Redarc controller with an extra module to tie in the AEB and ACC functions. Just a Redarc controller that some of us have does not have the extra module. Visually looks and functions the same except for the AEB and ACC tie in.
 

mark_anderson_us

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No, the Ford uses a Redarc controller with an extra module to tie in the AEB and ACC functions. Just a Redarc controller that some of us have does not have the extra module. Visually looks and functions the same except for the AEB and ACC tie in.
Thanks a lot

IS the Ford unit easy DIY?
 

Big Blue

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Thanks a lot

IS the Ford unit easy DIY?
The people that have it will vary on that question. I do not have it, so can only go by what I've seen in posts here. It is more involved than any other controller, due to the need to run a wiring harness back to the high mounted stop light. Some have said you need to remove the headliner, others say to only pull it down at the back. It does require removing some trim panels to route the wire along the door sills and up to the light. Once you've done that you need to assemble a couple connectors based on what color connectors your truck has. So, easy is a relative term. What I would consider easy may be difficult for someone else.
 

Adventure Ranger

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Thanks a lot

IS the Ford unit easy DIY?
I have the RedArc Tow Pro FORD version with the extra module. The harness' provided make the install fairly simple. The hardest part was figuring out how to remove the sill plates and pull down the rear edge of the headliner. Actually hooking up the wiring was very easy. My install took me 1.5 hours on a Sunday morning. We tow our camper and a flat deck quad / sled trailer, brake works great with both. Never had a fault with it.
 


mark_anderson_us

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I have the RedArc Tow Pro FORD version with the extra module. The harness' provided make the install fairly simple. The hardest part was figuring out how to remove the sill plates and pull down the rear edge of the headliner. Actually hooking up the wiring was very easy. My install took me 1.5 hours on a Sunday morning. We tow our camper and a flat deck quad / sled trailer, brake works great with both. Never had a fault with it.
Thanks a lot. Some folks removed the entire headline. Did you? (I have the Lariat with rear sliding window that seems to complicate things)
 

Adventure Ranger

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Thanks a lot. Some folks removed the entire headline. Did you? (I have the Lariat with rear sliding window that seems to complicate things)
I actually slid open the rear window and was able to get my head back far enough to see up above the headliner with a little downward pull on it to find out how it was attached. Basically just 4 large push-pin mounts along the rear edge. I slid my hand along to them and gave a quick downward pull, this released them and provided enough clearance to access the required wiring, and tuck the new harness up into place. Snapped right back in after.
 

mark_anderson_us

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I actually slid open the rear window and was able to get my head back far enough to see up above the headliner with a little downward pull on it to find out how it was attached. Basically just 4 large push-pin mounts along the rear edge. I slid my hand along to them and gave a quick downward pull, this released them and provided enough clearance to access the required wiring, and tuck the new harness up into place. Snapped right back in after.
Awesome. thanks
 

2020FRL

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I just used the Bluetooth version ... had it on two vehicles (three if you count letting my neighbor borrow it while his was on order), no issues, works well

Echo Smart Controller.jpeg
 

BOB RAD

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Just had a prodigy P2 installed. At first I didn’t think it was working because the brakes would not lock up when I followed instruction on setting it up. Went to a guy who delivers lots of travel trailer and he did some testing and drove my truck with trailer attached, told me everything is working as it should and he would not be afraid to take off across country with my truck and 3200 lb. Winnebago Mini Drop TT. Feel better now and will head for the Southern California beaches in the morning. And yes I know a couple of safety features won’t work with the Prodigy but I have those two systems turned off. Also have to remember to turn off the auto start/stop as it is driving me crazy.
 

mark_anderson_us

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Thanks.

I thought the linen controller did Dan us to 12v. With the mod you did, you’re getting 12v from the that tap?
Yes, it's the control from the brake pedal switch, or what ever controls the center brake light.
 

omniphil

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I might be missing something here, but I installed a Tekonsha brake controller on the camper a few years ago and we have a hand held unit the just plugs into the cig lighter socket. When we traded the Jeep for the Ranger recently there was nothing to do, it just all works. no wiring or anything complicated, so I'm not sure why Ford needed to included a brake controller since we just used our existing one with no hassle at all.
 

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Draw Tite ICommand.

A local hitch shop (Lampert Hitch) that is well regarded in the region and that I have used a few times in the past strongly recommended this TBC. I went with their advice and installation, $243 total. I don't use cruise control while towing, and my XLT doesn't have ACC anyway, so that was not an issue. No complaints with the TBC so far. My previous tow vehicle had a Prodigy P3 that was quite a bit more expensive, this ICommand seems to function the same.
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