Tow package and Trailer brake controller install

[Fordup]

I used to tow quite a bit with a challenging setup. An FJ40 pulling a homemade double axle trailer with a John Deere, two mowers, back blade and box full of landscaping gear. Definitely over the FJ's tow rating (never though of that stuff in the early '80s) and with it being such a short wheelbase, I'm lucky I never got into a horrific trailer sway situation.

But, as @Fordup stated, having it set up properly should mean never needing to mash it down.

Plus, I believe the Ranger has sway control where it can slow down a truck tire to correct for impending trailer sway.

well crud, there's your problem, a giant hand pushing on your trailer!

Yes, the factory controller handles everything well if you have the trailer set up and loaded right.

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[Cabose-1]

Well according to Star Trek, that hand shows up again to mess around with the USS Enterprise!! Its like godzilla or something?!? Unstoppable

 

[dstig1]

Totally agree that proper trailer loading is key. ...But "stuff" happens and I think it is better to be prepared for it than not.

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

Just a few thoughts on the Ford Accessory Trailer Brake Controller. I am towing a 4000lb. camper and wanted to get trailer brakes on it.... so I asked my dealer. I don't think they even wanted to try to install it.....gave me a $700.00 price for labor plus the $350.00 kit. The parts guy said he could get me the kit for $225.00, so I decided to try it myself. It's actually made by Red Arc... a reputable Austrailian company and packaged here for Ford by an outfit called Lumen. The kit adds a harness to connect it to the third brake light for signal..as they claim this is best location for it...doesn't interfere with Adaptive Cruise Control operation. It really wasn't difficult...and, yes, I broke a few molding clips on the sill plates... but my '21 had the feed for it up under the dash above the park brake. There are two modules/controllers with it that I firmly mounted to the steering support. I then ran the included harness back to the third brake light wiring. I gently lowered the headliner to access it.. and hooked everything up. Cautions... The included instructions are TERRIBLE !!! read them through several times to get an understanding of the whole procedure first. There are several You Tube videos about it.. I suggest watching them so you familiarize yourself with the parts...and their locations. Also...be VERY careful with the connectors supplied to hook it into the third brake light wiring. They are very flimsy, they broke apart on me and I had to hard wire all the connections. There are no color codes in the instructions... so I'm lucky I got them all correct. As for controller mounting location... I have an "active" dog too... so I mounted it under the headlight switch as the instructions suggested, and it worked out well. Also.. you have to drive the trailer through 30-40 "braking " cycles to calibrate the controller....the instructions don't really cover this either. All said, I would suggest installing it yourself. It could be done in a Saturday afternoon...doesn't take a lot of specialized tools and works well when installed.

 

[subquark]

Just a few thoughts on the Ford Accessory Trailer Brake Controller. I am towing a 4000lb. camper and wanted to get trailer brakes on it.... so I asked my dealer. I don't think they even wanted to try to install it.....gave me a $700.00 price for labor plus the $350.00 kit. The parts guy said he could get me the kit for $225.00, so I decided to try it myself. It's actually made by Red Arc... a reputable Austrailian company and packaged here for Ford by an outfit called Lumen. The kit adds a harness to connect it to the third brake light for signal..as they claim this is best location for it...doesn't interfere with Adaptive Cruise Control operation. It really wasn't difficult...and, yes, I broke a few molding clips on the sill plates... but my '21 had the feed for it up under the dash above the park brake. There are two modules/controllers with it that I firmly mounted to the steering support. I then ran the included harness back to the third brake light wiring. I gently lowered the headliner to access it.. and hooked everything up. Cautions... The included instructions are TERRIBLE !!! read them through several times to get an understanding of the whole procedure first. There are several You Tube videos about it.. I suggest watching them so you familiarize yourself with the parts...and their locations. Also...be VERY careful with the connectors supplied to hook it into the third brake light wiring. They are very flimsy, they broke apart on me and I had to hard wire all the connections. There are no color codes in the instructions... so I'm lucky I got them all correct. As for controller mounting location... I have an "active" dog too... so I mounted it under the headlight switch as the instructions suggested, and it worked out well. Also.. you have to drive the trailer through 30-40 "braking " cycles to calibrate the controller....the instructions don't really cover this either. All said, I would suggest installing it yourself. It could be done in a Saturday afternoon...doesn't take a lot of specialized tools and works well when installed.

Awesome job! I was too intimidated to do the Ford version with third brake light tie in.

So I did the REDARC Liberty instead - similar base unit and perfect for my 2WD Ranger.

My install for anyone digging into this all:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...-your-ranger-today.3511/page-1512#post-684731

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