Aftermarket Trailer Brake Controller on 2005 Ford F-350

Question:

I recently purchased an early 2005 Ford F350 SD with an integrated brake control. I want to pull our 2013 Columbus 365rl 5th wheel. It worked well in October with a 2003 F250 when pulling it from New Mexico to Colorado. 05 continues to show trailer fault and/or trailer disconnected. Trailer has only been towed 600 miles since new. All brake wires at the wheels are well sealed and look great. I would be shocked to find a physical issue on the trailer, it has been sitting in paved storage. Sent IBC module to circuitboardmedics due to contined faults with no trailer attached. Reinstalled and no more faults while driving w/o trailer. I hook up trailer and faults when tested not attached to 5th wheel or pulling. Professionally replaced rear and bed connectors. They tested and all worked in their shop. They applied a new frame ground and tested. I hooked up the trailer and it faults when tested not attached to 5th wheel or pulling. Trailer disconnected or trailer fault. All lights work well. I inspected the wiring box on the 5th wheel and all connections appear clean, dry and secure. Frame ground is in a protected area behind the wiring box. I replaced the plug on the trailer end. Great physical connection now and I hooked up trailer and it faults when tested not attached to 5th wheel or pulling. Trailer disconnected or trailer fault. All lights work well. Ill pull the trailer ground, clean, inspect and resinstall at the same time to make sure it isnt a ground issue. Im not opposed to running even an independent ground as well. I have read all of the issues with the early 05foot IBCs so I purchased a new Tekonsha P3 and the 3065-P adapter to install. It appears that these are rated as the best on the market and have to be improved from the 05foot IBC. Is it usual to replace these early 05foot IBCs with aftermarket ones? Does this work at solving the problems I am seeing? Any other suggestions?

asked by: Bill E

Expert Reply:

Installing an aftermarket trailer brake controller like the excellent Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 with the custom plug-in harness # 3065-P may very well remedy all of the issues that you have been having with the IBC on your 2005 Ford F-350. Generally speaking, integrated brake controllers are known to have some issues and the P3 will absolutely be an improvement. You are correct in your question when you stated that this particular trailer brake controller is considered one of the best on the market.

Based on your question, it certainly appears that you have done some thorough investigative work in an effort to find the cause of your problems, both on the vehicle and trailer side, so I cannot imagine that the root of these issues is anywhere but in the brake controller itself. You have just about ruled everything else out.

Just note that when installing the P3, you will need to take your truck to a local Ford dealer to have the computer "flashed" so it will accept and recognize the aftermarket device.

expert reply by: Chris R