Curt Echo vs Redarc wiring

[MarcS]

I read somewhere that the reason the Curt Echo works with AEB is that it picks up the brake light connection FROM the connection AT the rear 7 way plug. Has anyone tried hooking up a
non-Ford RedArc to the same brake light connection? Would the AEB then work? I know a wire would need to be run FROM the rear 7 way plug to the brake controller, but that should be much easier than the install of the entire Ford Redarc system.

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[Jason B]

You could do that, and it would work. But if you are going to cut into a harness to make a splice, why not just do that under the dash? Or as post #19 in this thread:
Ford licensed TBC Install Instructions | Page 2 | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[MarcS]

Thanks. Would this approach allow the use of a non-Ford Redarc (without the extra module), and would it then function WITH the AEB? I think it would be easier to run a brake trigger wire along the frame and into the cab than extra work under the dash.

 

[BassRanger]

There is no dedicated brake lamp line in the trailer harness. The 7 pin uses a left signal/brake and right signal/brake. The Echo activates only when both of these lines are active. This is so the unit is not activated by the signals, however because of this the unit can be activated by the hazards. The only way you could do this if you setup a dual input, single output relay from both L/R(brake) lines on the trailer harness.

Also you cannot simply splice into the CHMSL for a signal without the Lumen unit because I believe that line presents a PWM signal.

 

[EJH]

There is no dedicated brake lamp line in the trailer harness. The 7 pin uses a left signal/brake and right signal/brake. The Echo activates only when both of these lines are active. This is so the unit is not activated by the signals, however because of this the unit can be activated by the hazards. The only way you could do this if you setup a dual input, single output relay from both L/R(brake) lines on the trailer harness.

Also you cannot simply splice into the CHMSL for a signal without the Lumen unit because I believe that line presents a PWM signal.

This is all correct.
If you want AEB and/or ACC to work with the trailer brakes, your options are the Echo or OEM TBC. There isn't a short cut as Ford screwed up the design of our Rangers when moving to the US market by not having a clean brake signal under the dash. The work around is the CHMSL, but it is a PWM signal and needs processing to be fed into a brake controller. In theory, you could use the Lumen unit to fed another other brake controller, but since the Lumen comes with the Redarc Tow Pro, no reason to buy anther TBC....

 

[Cabose-1]

When the time comes, i am getting the echo. Just ease of use and it works just fine. Yes i have heard all the arguments about emergencies and so on, but have never heard anyone say

"Thank god i missed that wreck, just reached down at my ebc and hit the emergency brakes and avoided the whole wreck! All at the very last second without even being prepared for it!"

So i am going echo. I do not want to hassle with wiring. Thats me.

 

[BassRanger]

When the time comes, i am getting the echo. Just ease of use and it works just fine. Yes i have heard all the arguments about emergencies and so on, but have never heard anyone say

"Thank god i missed that wreck, just reached down at my ebc and hit the emergency brakes and avoided the whole wreck! All at the very last second without even being prepared for it!"

So i am going echo. I do not want to hassle with wiring. Thats me.

AEB is a system that brakes the truck without your input. There is no reaching for anything, the Ford/Redarc TBC just insures that if this happens that the truck will apply the trailer brakes as well. The Echo using the brake lamps as the signal will brake just the same since it's using the brake lamps as the signal.

 

[VAMike]

AEB is a system that brakes the truck without your input. There is no reaching for anything, the Ford/Redarc TBC just insures that if this happens that the truck will apply the trailer brakes as well. The Echo using the brake lamps as the signal will brake just the same since it's using the brake lamps as the signal.

I believe he is referring to the argument that the curt echo can only be manually activated via bluetooth/app, vs regular brake controllers that have a button. I'm also unconvinced that this is a real limitation.

 

[BassRanger]

Ahh! Makes sense. The only limitation to the Bluetooth units I would see would be in an instance of sway where you need activate only the trailer brakes, and that's only if the app wasn't open/available

 

[Cabose-1]

Ahh! Makes sense. The only limitation to the Bluetooth units I would see would be in an instance of sway where you need activate only the trailer brakes, and that's only if the app wasn't open/available

I second the motion. I never go past 70mph when towing, but i can see this situation. That being said, i am that slow guy towing, not because the ranger cant tow,(i see heavy dutys pass me at 80mph when i am empty at 75 because they have something to prove) but because i am just overly cautious. I just wake up extra early and tow safe. I can't predict every emergency situation, but i do what i can to prevent them.

So sway is something that can happen with wind and so on. I do not tow tt's, but i do tow small tractor equipment, and small cargo trailers. So.....thats my experience. When i think tow, i think all kinds of stuff except tt.

My experience.

 

[Cordell]

I read the red arc elite instructions, and in there it states the controller has a sensor that can tell when you are slowing down abruptly. Accelerometer… It automatically does it…
Applies trailer brakes that is.

 

[John Earley]

Love my Ranger Tremor

but Ford shit the bed when releasing such a capable truck with no brake controller. It’s quite disappointing really

 

[Jason B]

I read the red arc elite instructions, and in there it states the controller has a sensor that can tell when you are slowing down abruptly. Accelerometer… It automatically does it…
Applies trailer brakes that is.

So does the Curt Echo wireless:

"Once the Echo is installed, it will sense - via an internal 3-axis accelerometer - how your tow vehicle brakes. This inertia-based sensor responds to the deceleration of your tow vehicle as you brake by signaling the controller to send out enough power to your trailer brakes so that they are activated with an intensity that matches. The result is uniform braking across your towing setup. No push-pull action - just smooth, proportional braking every time."

 

[Big Blue]

I read the red arc elite instructions, and in there it states the controller has a sensor that can tell when you are slowing down abruptly. Accelerometer… It automatically does it…
Applies trailer brakes that is.

All proportional brake controllers have these. They are to reduce the braking force on the trailer as you come to a stop. But, none will apply trailer brakes unless the get a signal from either the brake pedal or the brake light. The Ford kit uses the CHMSL to get this signal and the Curt uses the trailer brake light signal to get it. So they will brake the trailer when AEB kicks in.

I'm still believe the Ford kit is better for frequent towing over the Curt Echo, for the availability of manual trailer braking. If your going to own and pull a TT frequently, get a proper hard wired controller.

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