Aftermarket Trailer Brake Controller?

5080 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by towtruck, Dec 11, 2020

Geoman

Discussion Starter · Sep 21, 2015

Hi All,

Just finalizing my order this week... I would like to get the factory trailer brake controller for possible future towing use, but I really don't want to give up the 2nd cupholder. Since I have no need for a trailer brake at this point, does anybody know if there is a plug and play aftermarket controller that can be added? I am not really looking for details about installation, just whether it is a possibility down the road.

Thanks,
Adam

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PeterR

· #2 · Sep 21, 2015 (Edited)

Geoman said:
Hi All,

Just finalizing my order this week... I would like to get the factory trailer brake controller for possible future towing use, but I really don't want to give up the 2nd cupholder. Since I have no need for a trailer brake at this point, does anybody know if there is a plug and play aftermarket controller that can be added? I am not really looking for details about installation, just whether it is a possibility down the road.

Thanks,
Adam

This has been discussed a lot. If you search for "brake controller" [ ------ > ] you will find the threads I think. I will also edit and post links.

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...hp?page=active_topics&ref=&ss=4154j1289510j16

kenjent's thread was for the whole trailer harness, but it gives a good idea of how Ford has made it nearly impossible for the average person to add on things like brake controllers into the rolling computer which the new Transit is. Better to miss the cup holder IMO than INTENTIONALLY buy a new $50k can of worms . . . ?

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/towing/10274-installing-tow-trailer-hitch-wiring-harness.html

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thebestguy02

· #3 · Jun 13, 2016

2016 brake control harness

hello everyone, im new to this so sorry if i screw it up a bit or ask in the wrong section ? i had one question, its about the trailer brake controller adapter harnes for a p3 tbc and my 2016 transit . I found the connector under the cup holder but only 3 of the 4 wires from the controller harnes connect to he vans 6 wire connector . the red wire (from the tbc) is not connected to anything, and im not getting read out put on the controller when i press on the brakes. so that leads me to ask if anyone knows or have the wiring diagram for the van connector so i can find what wire to connect the red wire (from the tbc) to the van .

hope you peeps can help

tks

manny

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kenjent

· #4 · Jun 13, 2016

Geoman said:
Hi All,

Just finalizing my order this week... I would like to get the factory trailer brake controller for possible future towing use, but I really don't want to give up the 2nd cupholder. Since I have no need for a trailer brake at this point, does anybody know if there is a plug and play aftermarket controller that can be added? I am not really looking for details about installation, just whether it is a possibility down the road.

Thanks,
Adam

I second the recommendation from PeterR to just order the Ford factory brake controller. There are other benefit such as the display of the factory brake controller setting on the dash display.

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DrJean

· #5 · Oct 3, 2016

I too am considering whether to order it or not. $230.
I was going to order van today..but I can wait another day...

What exactly does it do (or rather) how does this work, what is the hook up for it?

I do not plan on towing anything.

But then, if it's really necessary then if someone wants to tow a tiny car.. I guess I would need it?

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RandomJoe

· #6 · Oct 3, 2016

You need trailer brakes if you are going to tow over a certain weight. That weight varies a bit by state, but in general if your total trailer / load weight is greater than 3,000 lbs it has to have brakes. Of course you can use brakes with lighter trailers / loads but many smaller trailers don't even have brakes so the brake controller goes unused with them.

You can add an aftermarket brake controller to your Transit, but you probably won't be able to integrate it into the vehicle's computer. That would be *nice* but it isn't *essential*. The aftermarket controllers can get the job done without it.

The factory controller, fully integrated with the computer system, can do fancier functions since it has access to the transmission and traction control system and everything else.

I went ahead and added it to mine even though I'll probably never tow anything with brakes. It wasn't a significant percentage of the purchase price and hey, I might change my mind some day...

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DrJean

· #7 · Oct 4, 2016

Ok .. then this connects to say, the brakes on a car or a heavy duty trailer and works them in conjunction with the van braking. Kewl.

Well even a small car weighs enough to give ya trouble. Sigh. Everyone says I will want a small tow to get around little towns as some might not even let the EL HR into their city streets... or for when I'm set up and need something from the store. I usually just get by with what I have... it will be good for resale though... for the guy who does have that boat or trailer etc... funny how those hundreds add up

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Michael Ophus

· #8 · Oct 4, 2016

DrJean said:
Ok .. then this connects to say, the brakes on a car or a heavy duty trailer and works them in conjunction with the van braking. Kewl.

if you are going to tow a small Car you may need something completely different because you may not be able to put trailer brakes on a car? trailer brakes are 12 volt DC operated brakes! your car has hydraulically operated brakes! (a trailer brake controller controls electric trailer brakes, it does NOT control hydraulic car brakes!)

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joefromga

· #9 · Oct 4, 2016

Rv companies have boxes that go in a car and physically push the brake pedal and are controlled by the trailer brake connector. Check campingworld.Com

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DrJean

· #10 · Oct 4, 2016

Then I won't need the brake controller... and it's only resell value to a contractor.

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towtruck

· #11 · Dec 11, 2020

See Curt ECHO. Works through a smartphome. Make sure your phone is compatible.

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