Wiring in brake controller

[UtahShooting]

Time has come to tow something more than my ATV trailer. Need to haul a dump trailer full of gravel to my house. Total weight around 6000 pounds. Was just gonna install a generic controller on my 2019 Lariat, then manually shut off the auto braking, cruise control distance following etc as I'll really only tow like this about once a year. Was gonna go this route versus running wires all the way back to the rear tail light at top outside of cab, pealing back headliner, etc.

Checked back in here and saw that there's now a power solution under the dash that taps into the correct circuit in this thread:

CHMSL (3rd brake light) Strobe module | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

I've reviewed it and can't seem to figure out where he found that module or what wire he is tapping into and how. Any other how to's on this?

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[Jedadiah]

I didn't use the Ford Kit on my truck, so I'm going off of what I've seen here. If that is the correct hot wire for the CHMSL, then you could use it for the trigger of the Lumen module that comes with the Ford kit instead of pulling the interior if you're sure that the Ford Lumen module uses that wire to get its signal.

If you weren't planning on the Ford kit, then all you need is already under the dash bundled together. I have an XLT, so no adaptive cruise, but do have AEB. Honestly, I'm not worried about my trailer if AEB comes on. In the time I've had the truck, there's been no time that I haven't quickly hit the brakes when AEB kicked in. Even with a trailer, I'd be on the pedal sending a signal to my controller quick enough to get the trailer involved. The scenarios I can think of where I couldn't do so would be ones where I don't think AEB could save me anyway.

I do think the Ford kit would be good if someone used adaptive cruise since I think it would help cut down on brake wear if the truck brakes without pedal input to adjust speed. I don't usually use cruise control with a trailer anyway, so even if I add adaptive cruise, it would be a non issue for me.

I installed my Redarc Liberty before I even knew about the Ford version with the extra module, but would still use it if I did the install now. Although I can see why others go with the Ford kit.

 

[Jedadiah]

The blue plug he's unplugged in the picture is kind of up behind the headlight switch. If you pull down the dash panel and look straight up, you'll see it. it does look like it has plenty of wire to pull it down once unplugged.

 

[UtahShooting]

I didn't use the Ford Kit on my truck, so I'm going off of what I've seen here. If that is the correct hot wire for the CHMSL, then you could use it for the trigger of the Lumen module that comes with the Ford kit instead of pulling the interior if you're sure that the Ford Lumen module uses that wire to get its signal.

If you weren't planning on the Ford kit, then all you need is already under the dash bundled together. I have an XLT, so no adaptive cruise, but do have AEB. Honestly, I'm not worried about my trailer if AEB comes on. In the time I've had the truck, there's been no time that I haven't quickly hit the brakes when AEB kicked in. Even with a trailer, I'd be on the pedal sending a signal to my controller quick enough to get the trailer involved. The scenarios I can think of where I couldn't do so would be ones where I don't think AEB could save me anyway.

I do think the Ford kit would be good if someone used adaptive cruise since I think it would help cut down on brake wear if the truck brakes without pedal input to adjust speed. I don't usually use cruise control with a trailer anyway, so even if I add adaptive cruise, it would be a non issue for me.

I installed my Redarc Liberty before I even knew about the Ford version with the extra module, but would still use it if I did the install now.

I don't use the cruise control at all when towing heavy as it's all city and steep mountain roads, which is why I was just gonna go with a non-Ford controller. I shut AEB off as I don't care for it.

May still just go that route as I did find the factory wiring harness under dash for brake controller.

Any particular controller y'all recommend?

 

[Jedadiah]

I have This controller and This mount for the switch. The liberty doesn't have all the modes of the Redarc Tow Pro elite (which is what the ford kit uses) but has proportional braking and a manual override, which is all I wanted and is $60 cheaper.

I had and still have a Tekonsha P3 which I had used on my previous car. It works great, but I couldn't figure out where I'd put it in the Ranger. I liked the Redarc install enough to just buy a new controller.

The Tow Pro elite link above has an install video for our trucks.

 

[TheDo114]

I don't use the cruise control at all when towing heavy as it's all city and steep mountain roads, which is why I was just gonna go with a non-Ford controller. I shut AEB off as I don't care for it.

May still just go that route as I did find the factory wiring harness under dash for brake controller.

Any particular controller y'all recommend?

Here's a thread with multiple options for a trailer brake controller:
Crowd-sourced Trailer Brake Controller's List for 2019 Ford Ranger | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

I just installed the hopkins insight and it works great. It was pretty easy to do with the wiring harness that was already there under the dash. Already had the controller from a previous vehicle. It has progressive braking and override.

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