Ford warns that Active Cruise Control can NOT be used with an aftermarket trailer brake controller

[Hohensee]

The manual states you need a tow package to tow over 3500 lbs.

The manual (page 221) states towing a trailer with brakes, without a trailer brake, could lead to accidents, injury or death. When I called Ford to help me find a trailer brake controller harness, they told me my 2021 didn't have one and I had two choices. Hard wire an after market trailer brake controller into the truck's wiring, or buy their new Ford Ranger integrated Trailer Brake Controller. Splicing into the truck's wiring left me concerned on several fronts (warranty, liability, and time.)

And, yes you are correct about 3500 pounds in t

And your mistake is assuming that "trailer brake" implies "trailer brake controller". Every couple of months someone goes full lawyer, complaining that it isn't possible to tow the rated towing capacity with a TBC, and saying Ford lied wah wah wah. When somone points out that there are other solutions (surge brakes come immediately to mind) which provide trailer brakes without an electronic brake controller, they tend to act like it's unpossible to have any kind of trailer other than their own.

Thanks.

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[Big Blue]

The whole subject of trailer brakes and trailer brake controllers, especially for our Rangers, seems to be full of misinformation and misunderstanding. this includes the dealers non-knowledge of the vehicle they are selling. This is partly because the actual regulations vary so much dependent on state. Also what are the vehicles capabilities and what the trailer manufacturer has built into the trailer. Don't even start on home built trailers.

First question does my trailer need brakes? This depends on state regulations where you live. More than likely if your trailer needs them, it will have them from the factory. Most manufacturers build their trailers to the tightest state standards that their trailers are sold in.

Second, do I need a trailer controller? The answer is Maybe. Does the trailer have brakes? Are the brakes electrical or are they surge brakes? If they are surge, no controller required. If they are electrical, the question gets more complicated. Some trailers have or can have a controller built into them. If this is the case how are they powered? Does the trailer have a battery or are they powered from the truck? In most cases this will require at least a 12 volt supply to keep the battery charged. This means at least a 6 or 7 pin connection to the truck. The flat 4 pin won't cut it.

If you have a trailer with electric brakes and no onboard controller. your truck will require a controller, or at the very least a module that pugs between the trailer and the truck. Like the Curt Echo. This will require a 7-pin connector on the truck.

Now to the $1000 question that is this thread. What about AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) and ACC (Active Cruise Control)? First lets discuss how a brake contoller works. it needs a signal from the truck of when to apply the brakes, it then sends a voltage to the trailer brakes. The level of this voltage determines the amount of braking applied to the trailer. This initial voltage is set by the bias setting you give the controller. this is set usually set so you don't lock up the trailer brakes before the trucks. the level of this voltage is then reduced by the controller based on its internal accelerometers/inertia sensors to reduce the braking force as you come to a stop.

The key differences now is where the signal from the truck comes from. in the past it usually came from the brake peddle switch that turned on the brake lights. This was fine when the brake peddle was the only thing that applied the brakes on the truck. Now with our modern vehicles with all the new safety and convenience features the truck can apply the brakes itself. so now the signal to the trailer brake controller needs to come from someplace else. The next logical place is the brake lights. As these come on when the brakes are applied, be it manually or automatically by the truck.

This is where Fords magical/mystical Lumen module comes in. It takes a signal from the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light) and conditions it to be sent to the brake controller when the brake lights come on. Probably more likely isolates it from the BCM (Body Control Module) to protect it from back flow if current and prevent errors. the reason for having to run wires all the way to the back of the cab is because that is the easiest place to get this signal without leaving the cab and not having to spice into a huge wiring harness.

Hope this rather wordy diatribe helps some people understand better the need for a TBC and how they work. On a side now Ford really blew it by not having the right connections under the dash from the beginning. it would have been a simple as having the purple wire tied into the brake lights instead of the brake peddle switch. Then any aftermarket brake controller would work fine. As far as the weight rating those are based on the hitch and the trucks structure.

It is really your responsibility to know what you are towing or going to tow and what is needed to properly do that, not Fords. As far as our manual it is terrible and some of the CYA caution statements do nothing but instill confusion and fear in people. the dealers lack of correct information on their product does nothing to help this and it apparently goes all the way up to the corporate customer care department. Sad when the customers know more about the product then the people who we are suppose to ask.

 

[Trigganometry]

On top of what he said ? We also had major confusion from factory about towing with a Ford approved tune for towing. Seems some trannys went by the wayside because of it. I believe that got that sorted with an update. Don’t hold me to that though.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Ford could've avoided.placing that warning in the manual if they had their act together in 2019 and installed the brake controller with the trailer tow package.

 

[mark_anderson_us]

Looks to me that the Ford TBC for 2021 is the same as previous years based on the part number. Interesting that the Ford accessories site now lists it for $527 while Levittown still shows list price of $339 discounted to $280.

I called dealer in Chicago. They quoted me $527 + $600 install!

 

[alcohenusa]

I called dealer in Chicago. They quoted me $527 + $600 install!

My dealer here in Phoenix charged about $225 for the install which I thought was worth it. I could have done it myself, but I do not have a workspace with AC. It’s too hot here to spend 2-3 hours doing the install.

 

[mark_anderson_us]

My dealer here in Phoenix charged about $225 for the install which I thought was worth it. I could have done it myself, but I do not have a workspace with AC. It’s too hot here to spend 2-3 hours doing the install.

yep. I'd pay that.

 

[Alby]

yep. I'd pay that.

On top of what he said ? We also had major confusion from factory about towing with a Ford approved tune for towing. Seems some trannys went by the wayside because of it. I believe that got that sorted with an update. Don’t hold me to that though.

I started this tread in 2019.

The whole subject of trailer brakes and trailer brake controllers, especially for our Rangers, seems to be full of misinformation and misunderstanding. this includes the dealers non-knowledge of the vehicle they are selling. This is partly because the actual regulations vary so much dependent on state. Also what are the vehicles capabilities and what the trailer manufacturer has built into the trailer. Don't even start on home built trailers.

First question does my trailer need brakes? This depends on state regulations where you live. More than likely if your trailer needs them, it will have them from the factory. Most manufacturers build their trailers to the tightest state standards that their trailers are sold in.

Second, do I need a trailer controller? The answer is Maybe. Does the trailer have brakes? Are the brakes electrical or are they surge brakes? If they are surge, no controller required. If they are electrical, the question gets more complicated. Some trailers have or can have a controller built into them. If this is the case how are they powered? Does the trailer have a battery or are they powered from the truck? In most cases this will require at least a 12 volt supply to keep the battery charged. This means at least a 6 or 7 pin connection to the truck. The flat 4 pin won't cut it.

If you have a trailer with electric brakes and no onboard controller. your truck will require a controller, or at the very least a module that pugs between the trailer and the truck. Like the Curt Echo. This will require a 7-pin connector on the truck.

Now to the $1000 question that is this thread. What about AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) and ACC (Active Cruise Control)? First lets discuss how a brake contoller works. it needs a signal from the truck of when to apply the brakes, it then sends a voltage to the trailer brakes. The level of this voltage determines the amount of braking applied to the trailer. This initial voltage is set by the bias setting you give the controller. this is set usually set so you don't lock up the trailer brakes before the trucks. the level of this voltage is then reduced by the controller based on its internal accelerometers/inertia sensors to reduce the braking force as you come to a stop.

The key differences now is where the signal from the truck comes from. in the past it usually came from the brake peddle switch that turned on the brake lights. This was fine when the brake peddle was the only thing that applied the brakes on the truck. Now with our modern vehicles with all the new safety and convenience features the truck can apply the brakes itself. so now the signal to the trailer brake controller needs to come from someplace else. The next logical place is the brake lights. As these come on when the brakes are applied, be it manually or automatically by the truck.

This is where Fords magical/mystical Lumen module comes in. It takes a signal from the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light) and conditions it to be sent to the brake controller when the brake lights come on. Probably more likely isolates it from the BCM (Body Control Module) to protect it from back flow if current and prevent errors. the reason for having to run wires all the way to the back of the cab is because that is the easiest place to get this signal without leaving the cab and not having to spice into a huge wiring harness.

Hope this rather wordy diatribe helps some people understand better the need for a TBC and how they work. On a side now Ford really blew it by not having the right connections under the dash from the beginning. it would have been a simple as having the purple wire tied into the brake lights instead of the brake peddle switch. Then any aftermarket brake controller would work fine. As far as the weight rating those are based on the hitch and the trucks structure.

It is really your responsibility to know what you are towing or going to tow and what is needed to properly do that, not Fords. As far as our manual it is terrible and some of the CYA caution statements do nothing but instill confusion and fear in people. the dealers lack of correct information on their product does nothing to help this and it apparently goes all the way up to the corporate customer care department. Sad when the customers know more about the product then the people who we are suppose to ask.

The whole subject of trailer brakes and trailer brake controllers, especially for our Rangers, seems to be full of misinformation and misunderstanding. this includes the dealers non-knowledge of the vehicle they are selling. This is partly because the actual regulations vary so much dependent on state. Also what are the vehicles capabilities and what the trailer manufacturer has built into the trailer. Don't even start on home built trailers.

First question does my trailer need brakes? This depends on state regulations where you live. More than likely if your trailer needs them, it will have them from the factory. Most manufacturers build their trailers to the tightest state standards that their trailers are sold in.

Second, do I need a trailer controller? The answer is Maybe. Does the trailer have brakes? Are the brakes electrical or are they surge brakes? If they are surge, no controller required. If they are electrical, the question gets more complicated. Some trailers have or can have a controller built into them. If this is the case how are they powered? Does the trailer have a battery or are they powered from the truck? In most cases this will require at least a 12 volt supply to keep the battery charged. This means at least a 6 or 7 pin connection to the truck. The flat 4 pin won't cut it.

If you have a trailer with electric brakes and no onboard controller. your truck will require a controller, or at the very least a module that pugs between the trailer and the truck. Like the Curt Echo. This will require a 7-pin connector on the truck.

Now to the $1000 question that is this thread. What about AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) and ACC (Active Cruise Control)? First lets discuss how a brake contoller works. it needs a signal from the truck of when to apply the brakes, it then sends a voltage to the trailer brakes. The level of this voltage determines the amount of braking applied to the trailer. This initial voltage is set by the bias setting you give the controller. this is set usually set so you don't lock up the trailer brakes before the trucks. the level of this voltage is then reduced by the controller based on its internal accelerometers/inertia sensors to reduce the braking force as you come to a stop.

The key differences now is where the signal from the truck comes from. in the past it usually came from the brake peddle switch that turned on the brake lights. This was fine when the brake peddle was the only thing that applied the brakes on the truck. Now with our modern vehicles with all the new safety and convenience features the truck can apply the brakes itself. so now the signal to the trailer brake controller needs to come from someplace else. The next logical place is the brake lights. As these come on when the brakes are applied, be it manually or automatically by the truck.

This is where Fords magical/mystical Lumen module comes in. It takes a signal from the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light) and conditions it to be sent to the brake controller when the brake lights come on. Probably more likely isolates it from the BCM (Body Control Module) to protect it from back flow if current and prevent errors. the reason for having to run wires all the way to the back of the cab is because that is the easiest place to get this signal without leaving the cab and not having to spice into a huge wiring harness.

Hope this rather wordy diatribe helps some people understand better the need for a TBC and how they work. On a side now Ford really blew it by not having the right connections under the dash from the beginning. it would have been a simple as having the purple wire tied into the brake lights instead of the brake peddle switch. Then any aftermarket brake controller would work fine. As far as the weight rating those are based on the hitch and the trucks structure.

It is really your responsibility to know what you are towing or going to tow and what is needed to properly do that, not Fords. As far as our manual it is terrible and some of the CYA caution statements do nothing but instill confusion and fear in people. the dealers lack of correct information on their product does nothing to help this and it apparently goes all the way up to the corporate customer care department. Sad when the customers know more about the product then the people who we are suppose to ask.

I started this thread in 2019. This post is a great explanation of the problem. The fix is described in the attachment. Have they fixed this in the latest version of the truck

 

[towpro]

If you go on Ford accessories to buy the controller, you have the option to pay $137 for install.

Also look at the name stamped on the product? I have been TowPro since 1997 but have nothing to do with this product

 

[Dr. Zaius]

If you go on Ford accessories to buy the controller, you have the option to pay $137 for install.
...

Does this vary by dealer?

I found the Tow Controller but there is no installation option even after adding it to the cart.

Tow Controller

 

[Grumpaw]

Does this vary by dealer?

I found the Tow Controller but there is no installation option even after adding it to the cart.

Tow Controller

There is no install option....you have to find your own dealer to install, and from what I've read on the forum, it's a crap shoot as to finding one. Some won't touch it, while others charge outrageous prices to install.

 

[t4thfavor]

There is no install option....you have to find your own dealer to install, and from what I've read on the forum, it's a crap shoot as to finding one. Some won't touch it, while others charge outrageous prices to install.

The easiest option is to cut into the wiring harness under the dash to supply the second module a brake signal. The best option is to take off all the panels and plug it into the rear stop light. Option 1 will take you 45 mins but you have to splice your main harness, option 2 will take you several hours, and you’ll most likely break some clips.

 

[halligan1201]

I'm sure it's been said in the ten pages of posts in this thread but it's befuddling why Ford wouldn't have made this a plug and play option considering that it's such a safety related feature. They run and leave extra wires and connections for all manner of other options but make it so that we have to cut wiring related to our brakes and pull the interior of the truck apart in order to install something a large percentage of owners will want or need. It's interesting to see the differences in prices people are giving for dealer install labor and I'm willing to bet it's on the method the dealer used to install the controller.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

There is no install option....you have to find your own dealer to install, and from what I've read on the forum, it's a crap shoot as to finding one. Some won't touch it, while others charge outrageous prices to install.

@towpro stated that there was a $137 install option on the Ford Accessories site.

That's what I was looking for as I was thinking it was like you said, find whichever dealer and pay the piper.

 

[Grumpaw]

Personally, I'm going to be using a Tekonsha P2 controller for our upcomming travel trailer purchase, simply because I never use cruise control when towing. Can't even begin to remember all the idiots and yahoo's who have cut me off over the years. Had I been on "cruise" I would have been wiped out. I'm just used to looking ahead and scanning my line of travel.
The ACC is a nice safety feature, and at low speed I can see where having the Ford controller hooked up would be a help....but at a regular or high speed panic stop, even with trailer brakes automatically engaged or locked up, you still have the momentum/weight of that trailer pushing your truck forward.

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