Sponsored

Easiest to install Trailer Brake Controller?

TechnicallyReal

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ryan
Joined
Aug 20, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
460
Reaction score
609
Location
Eh?
Vehicle(s)
'19 Ranger Lariat 4x4
Occupation
Software Engineer / IT Admin
There are two stages to AEB. Stage 1 the dash lights up red and pre-pressurizes the brake system and Stage 2 where the AEB applies the brakes. Granted I didn't specify manually braking prior to Stage 2 so thanks for having me note that. Also Ford makes it very clear that AEB does not guarantee prevention of impact.
AEB is unrelated to trailer sway control which is active even without a brake controller..
Depending what's going on there may be no time for a stage 1 and you're right into stage 2. And as you said yourself, AEB can't guarantee prevention of an impact, so you might end up colliding with something with up to 7500 extra lbs of force that could have at least been partially slowed down or not tried to pass you had its own brakes had a chance to activate.

One possibility that comes to mind is an animal running across the road. If the animal is large enough to cause AEB to activate, your trailer might try to pass you, and what would have been a simple animal hit could end up so much worse.

There's also the very real possibly of a false alarm or other bugs in the system to consider. I personally have had AEB stage 1 activate when no one was in front of me. Last thing I want is for it to go full stage 2 and end up jackknifing or flipping my trailer for literally no reason at all

I don't think sway control is going to help in an accident. It identifies sway and brakes individual wheels and limits engine power.. but sway is identified by oscillation. Unless sway is what lead to the accident, sway control probably won't be there for you.

AEB is there to act when us mortals cannot. Having a brake controller that doesn't work with AEB can cause an accident to turn out worse than if you had no AEB at all. IMO people should either turn off AEB if their brake controller doesn't work with it, or if leaving it on, make sure to use a brake controller that does work with it (FYI to anyone reading this, the Curt Echo does work with it)
Sponsored

 
Last edited:

JohnDLG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
67
Reaction score
231
Location
South Texas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XL Supercrew FX4
If one is running a wireless brake controller, would it be best to disable AEB when actually towing?
 

TechnicallyReal

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ryan
Joined
Aug 20, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
460
Reaction score
609
Location
Eh?
Vehicle(s)
'19 Ranger Lariat 4x4
Occupation
Software Engineer / IT Admin
If one is running a wireless brake controller, would it be best to disable AEB when actually towing?
The Curt Echo uses the brake signal from the brake light wiring in the 7 pin connector, so it actually works fine with AEB and ACC. I have tested it myself. Not sure about the other wireless brake controllers, though. I they plug in like the Echo does, then chances are they will work with AEB and ACC as well.
Sponsored

 
 








Top