Does Curt Echo Mobile Brake Controller # C51180 Require 12 Volt Accessory Circuit Active on 7-Way

Question:

I had a 7-pin trailer harness and hitch installed in my 2018 F-150 after buying the truck. It did not come with a tow package. I have a 18’ Starcraft travel trailer with electric brakes. I recently bought and received the Curt Echo brake controller with Bluetooth to connect to my camper’s brakes. The green light did not come on when truck was running and tow/haul mode activated. I’m assuming I have no 12V power going to my 7-pin harness, but not sure how to check it. Also, I assume I will need 12V power in order for this Curt Echo brake controller to work? Please advise on how to check for power to my 7-pin harness, and if I need it and turns out I don’t have power, how do I get power to it on my 2018 Ford F-150? Thanks!

asked by: Preston J

Expert Reply:

Since not every 7-way towing scenario requires the 12 volt circuit to be active and since it requires running a wire from the battery to the back of the vehicle I can almost guarantee that your circuit just isn't active due to this. You can test this though by using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 on the pin in the 1:00 position as this is the circuit.

Had your 7-way been installed from the factory and the circuit wasn't active it would actually be due to settings you'd need to tweak on your truck. The Echo actually mentions your truck in the install manual.

• Requires tow / haul mode activation and / or load detection on 7-way before the +12V output is activated on the 7-way connector. Activate tow mode and connect trailer before attempting Bluetooth connection to the Echo. The LED on the Echo must be on.

The Curt Echo Mobile part # C51180 does require this circuit to be active so to do this what you'll need are 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 (sold by foot) and then a circuit breaker part # 9510. You'll run the wire from the positive post of the battery through the breaker to the pin on the 7-way and the circuit will be complete.

expert reply by: Jameson C