Do I Need an Electric Brake Controller to Tow a Trailer with Brakes if My Truck Has a Factory 7-Way

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Question:

Hi, I have 2012 Ford F-150 SuperCrew with a Tow Package. It has factory wired 7-pin trailer connector. My understanding is that 7-pin connector already carries a brake signal to a trailer equipped with electric brakes. Considering this, do I still need a brake controller if I want to tow a heavier trailer say 8000lb? Thank you

asked by: Dmitriy L

0

Expert Reply:

A factory 7-way trailer connector isn't all you need to power a trailer's electric brakes. You still need a brake controller. Some Ford F-150s are equipped with a factory integrated brake controller, which you may have. If your 2012 Ford F-150 does have the factory controller then all you need is to plug the trailer into your 7-way and you should be good to go. If you don't have one you need to add one to engage the trailer's brakes.

The good news if your truck isn't equipped with a factory controller is that it's quite easy to add one. There's a port under the dashboard kind of where the driver's knees are. It's probably gray and wrapped in tape. I've linked a video of a controller being installed into an F-150 and it shows this port being accessed at about the 20 second mark. This port allows you to plug in an adatper that operates an aftermarket brake controller. So all you need is the controller itself and an adapter. Then the install is as easy as plugging them in and mounting the controller in a good spot. This entire process is in the same video.

The controller in the video is part # 90195, the Prodigy P3. It's our top sellilng controller because of how reliable it is and how easy it is to use. The LCD makes everything a lot easier to read and it can be installed at any vertical angle.

Then the adapter to plug the P3 in you need to use is part # 22292.

expert reply by: Charles S

0

Answer 1

You're right, the mounting bracket is unique (in a good way) for the Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller #C24VV. The bracket is smaller and all you do is put the included adhesive tape on the bracket and stick it wherever you like…

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Answer 2

Any trailer brake controller that offers a custom plug-in wiring harness, like the Prodigy P3 #90195 that installs in your 2015 Silverado 3500 using custom plug-in harness #3016, can also be hardwired. Brake controllers use a standard 4-wire…

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Answer 3

For your 1993 Chevrolet Suburban, we have the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C14029. This is a class IV trailer hitch capable of towing 10,000lbs GTW, and 1,000lbs tongue weight. This hitch also supports the use of a weight distribution system. If you…

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Answer 4

Since your 2012 Ford F-150 did not come with the factory to package, the blue wire for the electric brake output can be located at the manufacturers connector in the engine compartment on the drivers side near the firewall. You will notice a dark…

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Answer 5

I can help you out, no problem. What you are going to want to look at is the towing capacities of the truck. You need to know the gross combined weight rating. This is the most the vehicle, including cargo and occupants, plus the trailer can weigh.…

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Answer 6

Brake controller wiring harness #22292 plugs into the built-in connector beneath your vehicle's dashboard. To access this connector, first locate the instrument cluster finish panel in the center of you dash, near the driver's side. Carefully…

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Answer 7

For an easy way to transport a brake controller to various trailers without physically installing the unit on your tow vehicle then we have the solution for you. The Curt Echo #C51180 is a wireless brake controller that is compatible with trailers…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you have the Lippert Ground Control Auto Leveling Landing Gear 3.0 part #LC358590 and are looking for replacement front landing gear legs. For that you would want the part #LC305340 . The part number for the rear would be #LC344792 for…

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Answer 9

You are correct, you should only be getting output when the brake is applied, or the override switch is activated. It sounds like the controller might be bad, but to make sure, you should probably bench test it before tossing it. Use a circuit…

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Answer 10

There are several different towing capacities for a 1995 Chevrolet C/K Series Pickup. These capacities will vary depending on engine size, wheel base, drive type, gear ratio, etc. Therefore, the only true way to tell what your trucks towing capacity…

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Answer 11

There are times when it is tough to locate the brake controller plug under the dash. On the 2015 Ram the factory plug is located between the brake pedal and the emergency brake pedal as shown in the attached photo. It is probably behind another…

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Answer 12

The trailer tongue weight or hitch weight is dynamic meaning that it will change as weight is added or removed from the trailer or if the weight in the trailer is moved around (front to back). You can manipulate the tongue weight by moving weight…

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Do I Need an Electric Brake Controller to Tow a Trailer with Brakes if My Truck Has a Factory 7-Way

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