Brake Controller And Wiring For A 2017 Ford F-150 With A Factory 4 Pole Plug

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Question:

I have a 2017 f-150 XLT with factory 4 pin trailer connections. I have a 7 pin connection to install on the bumper already. The truck does have a tow-haul mode but I’m unsure if I need to order any additional wiring or connections to ensure that the parts Part Numbers: RED24FR,331-TPH-007 will plug in and operate properly once I install the 7 pin trailer connection on the truck. I’m only looking to tow a 14’ dual axle trailer occasionally with my UTV on it but some of that travel will be off-road so I wanted to ensure I would have full functionality of this Redarc brake controller.

asked by: Sean

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you have a factory 4 pole on your 2017 Ford F-150, in order to get a 7 pole plug to work with your wiring I recommend the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way Trailer Connector Item # 118283. You mentioned that you have a 7 pole however, the back of the 7 pole will not be compatible with the way your factory wiring adapts from the truck to the plug. This kit provides the adapter for the 7 pole plug. One end of the wiring has pins to snap into the adapter for the 7 pole. The other end has two adapters. Once you follow the factory 4 pole to the adapter on the factory wiring, disconnect the two ends and add the new wiring in place. This allows you to maintain your factory 4 pole and provides you with the 7 pole with out having to splice into any factory wiring. As far as the brake controller, the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Item # RED24FR is a great option and the Redarc Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers Item # 331-TPH-007 is the correct brake controller adapter to fit your vehicle. I also recommend a Mounting Bracket and Installation Hardware - Pollak 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Vehicle End Item # PK12711U and a No-Drill Mount Bracket, Long Item # 18136 to give your 7 pole a more permanent mounting location.

I have provided a link to a video to walk you through how to install the wiring for your 7 pole plug

expert reply by: Shane H

1

Sean

11/11/2020

I have a 2017 f-150 XLT with factory 4 pin trailer connections. I have a 7 pin connection to install on the bumper already. The truck does have a tow-haul mode but I’m unsure if I need to order any additional wiring or connections to ensure that the parts Part Numbers: RED24FR,331-TPH-007 will plug in and operate properly once I install the 7 pin trailer connection on the truck. I’m only looking to tow a 14’ dual axle trailer occasionally with my UTV on it but some of that travel will be off-road so I wanted to ensure I would have full functionality of this Redarc brake controller.

Reply

Shane H.

11/11/2020

The 2017 F-150 does not require any additional fuses for adding an aftermarket brake controller. That actually changed in the 2018 models which now do require an additional fuse. As far as an instillation video, we do not have one for the Red Arc brake controller however, I have linked a video of a brake controller instillation on a 2017 F-150 to help you locate the plug behind the dash. In the video I just reach up under the dash to grab the plug. It may be easier if you remove the panel under the steering column and the metal plate behind it first. As far as mounting the control module, it can be mounted anywhere under the dash in any orientation as long as it is mounted to a solid surface. Make sure it is not zip tied to any wiring. Be sure to determine a location on the dash where you will be mounting the actual controller knob so the cable from the control knob can reach the control module mounting location under the dash. As far as mounting the control knob, you want to make sure the location you choose, the dash is not too thick and there is enough room behind it for the knob and cable when they are connected together. The long vertical panel to the left of the stereo, in front of the location where the plug is, may be a good spot to mount the knob. Those panels are typically not very thick and make it easy to mount. That panel can be popped off. Following the instruction for drilling the holes for the knob. Before you do any drilling double check behind the panel once it is removed to make sure the control knob and wire is not going to make contact with anything once the panel is reinstalled. Once the control knob is installed onto the panel and the nut is put on, put the dial on and push it, you should feel a slight click, that is your manual override. If you cannot push the dial down, remove it and tighten the nut until you are able to push the dial for the manual override. After reinstalling the panel route the cable from the control knob to the module, it will only plug in one place and one way. Route your wiring from your factory plug to the control module, it will only plug in one place and one way. Once all the wires are plugged into the module, push the dial down as if your were using the manual over ride function. You should see the LED light come on. Once you see the light the brake controller is functioning but the control module needs to be calibrated. I like to connect a trailer and adjust the dial to the weight. A good starting number is usually between 4 and 5 on the dial. Drive your truck and trailer down the street, you will need to apply the brakes several times for the module to calibrate the direction of travel. Refer to the instruction for the LED light flashes during calibration.

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Answer 1

There should be a factory brake controller plug on your 2015 Ford F-150, whether it came with a 4-Way or 7-Way connector at the back of the truck. The plug will be located beneath the dash inside your cab. You may need to remove some shroud around…

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Answer 2

I would be happy to help. Since you replaced the Trailer Tow Parks Lamps Fuse 53 in your 2019 Ford F-150 and are now not getting any power to your 7-way connector, I recommend checking fuse 43 as it is for the trailer tow park lamps module. If that…

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Answer 3

I took a look in the online version of the owner's manual for a 2016 Ford F-150 and there is a fuse for the trailer brake control module in position 49 in the fuse block in the engine compartment, which is a 30 amp fuse that I recommend taking a…

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Answer 4

In order to install a 7-way trailer connector on your 2017 Ford F-150, you are first going to need to install a 4-way trailer connector and then a 4 to 7-way trailer connector. For this, I recommend using the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Wiring Harness…

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Answer 5

The Hopkins Agility Trailer Brake Controller #HM47294 will install in your 2017 Ford F-150 by using the Plug-In Adapter #HM47845. The adapter will plug into the connector which is installed behind a side panel between your steering wheel and your…

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Answer 6

The connector for installing your brake controller is located under the dash. Directly under the steering column, you will see the diagnostic port. The port for the controller is located above and behind, as you can see in the photo I've…

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Answer 7

To re-wire your 18 foot car hauler with electric brakes on one axle, I recommend using a wiring junction box like #38656 in order to make the connections from the lights and brakes. Then for a 7-way trailer plug, you can use the Hopkins #H20046. This…

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Answer 8

It could be a tow package fuse on the vehicle. Use the owners manual to find the locations of fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring to check them and replace as needed. If the issue is not a fuse or relay then you can test the vehicle side…

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Answer 9

It sounds like you are connecting wires to an aftermarket 7-way on your 2017 F-150. There are two wires run from under the hood to the end of the driver's side frame rail. One is a blue wire which is the electric trailer brake output wire that…

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Answer 10

Assuming you already have a trailer hitch like the Curt #C26HR and a 4-Way like the Curt #C56110 installed on your 2017 Ford F-150 you just need the Universal Wiring Kit #ETBC7 to use a brake controller. This kit includes an adapter that plugs into…

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Answer 11

To determine the maximum trailer weight you can tow with your 2017 Ford F-150 you will need to find both the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of your truck. This can all be found on the information tag located…

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Answer 12

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Brake Controller And Wiring For A 2017 Ford F-150 With A Factory 4 Pole Plug

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