[Adv]

Hi everybody. First post!

I'm interested in buying a transit and I have one picked out. It has the 53B HD trailer tow package but no trailer brake controller. I need this option and I want the OEM one. I searched through some old posts here and it seems there was a problem with adding the ford brake controller to some early 2015 models.

Can anybody confirm that it is indeed possible to add the ford brake controller to a 2016 with the factory installed HD tow package?

 

[blakej59]

I purchased a 2015 with trailer tow package but no controller (same as you). Dealer stated that they were unable to purchase and install the factory controller. Said that ford only sells it as a factory-installed option. In the end, dealer had to purchase an after-market unit.

Jim

 

[larry8061]

Hi everybody. First post!

I'm interested in buying a transit and I have one picked out. It has the 53B HD trailer tow package but no trailer brake controller. I need this option and I want the OEM one. I searched through some old posts here and it seems there was a problem with adding the ford brake controller to some early 2015 models.

Can anybody confirm that it is indeed possible to add the ford brake controller to a 2016 with the factory installed HD tow package?

Yes, this been discussed to death. A very small clique on here will now try and control the thread and label the rest of us preachers (while using our information and not bothering to say thank you - yes I noticed and, with the irony being that our information has proven out to be true).


There is only one opinion on this subject that matters and that is your Ford Dealer. Talk to one or two FORD DEALERS and see what they say - they are the only ones with REAL information. If they say it can be done get the part numbers....and confirm elsewhere.


Be safe,


Larry

 

[Thinksnow]

I use the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 on my F250 diesel. While it doesn't have the capability to control the tow vehicles braking system like the factory system does, it works incredibly well; 5 stars...

 

[asdrew]

What Larry said, check with your dealer and then check with some others. There is a lot of non-firsthand information flowing about the factory brake control on forums and even at dealers. On the ford-trucks.com forum it is the same thing for my Super Duty truck.

Further, most of us have discovered that many dealers have not chosen to inform themselves of the ins and outs of the Transit. My example is the salesman, sales manger, and service writer insisting that it is not possible at all to have more than one keypad when I have THREE as some others here do (I remind the service guy about it every time I take my Transit in).

fwiw, print this out when you ask your dealer if they can add the factory controller:
http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/P...ch=true&year=2016&make=Ford&model=Transit-350

And as Thinksnow indicated, there are many good aftermarket controllers available that will work fine (just not as integrated as the Ford one).

 

[Adv]

My dealer got the ford brake controller installed and I wanted to update everybody on my experience with it.

My van had the 53B HD trailer tow package so dealer told me I could add the OEM unit. You also need to have a place to mount it. There are a few different center console configurations and my van did not have the correct one so they had to order a different console and swap it out. Trim parts take a week to get in. I did some towing and it works great. Much better feel compared to my old tow rig with a time delay brake controller. The problem is there is no way to tell which gain setting I have it set at. According to my owners manual, when I push the + or - buttons the gain setting should be shown on the information display above the steering wheel. It should also beep when I disconnect the 7-pin but mine does not. The brake controller display is supposed to be in "menu/settings/driver assist" but it is not there for my van. I can sense the + and - buttons do change the braking power so I can just set it by feel but it would be nice to know if they can add the menu or not. I called the dealer to ask if they can add this menu but they have not called me back so I figure they don't know.

 

[Transitfan2016]

ADV
Do you have an invoice or any documents to show the part numbers for the replacement center console parts.
I have gone thru the same thing with my van. Dealer sent me a controller but my console doesn't have the
configuration for it. Trying to figure out part numbers for the console to make this fit properly.
Thanks in advance...

 

[Michael Ophus]

it looks like the second number 1 for with trailer brake? http://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...ine/body-cat/instrument-panel-components-scat

 

[smokster]

I thought all tow packages included electric brakes....???

 

[bicyclist]

Nope. It's important to spend time going over the ordering guide very carefully so that you don't miss anything.

 

[Adv]

ADV
Do you have an invoice or any documents to show the part numbers for the replacement center console parts.
I have gone thru the same thing with my van. Dealer sent me a controller but my console doesn't have the
configuration for it. Trying to figure out part numbers for the console to make this fit properly.
Thanks in advance...

Sorry no paperwork on it. They did the work before i took delivery. A few months later I had the dealer check with the Ford tech hotline to see if they can add the brake controller menu and was told it cannot be added.

 

[CrewVanMan]

When you order the Trailer Brake Controller as one of the options on the Transit, you get the upgraded instrument cluster that has the menu in the dash cluster. I have found a lot more Ford dealers ordering this option with the Trailer Tow package especially on the medium and high roof models. For the $230 MSRP sticker price, it is well worth it if you plan to tow any type of trailer.

 

[bajaherbie]

Are there any aftermarket brake controllers that will work?

I am going to buy a used Transit and figure I will have to add a hitch.

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