Is a Brake Light Relay Needed with an Even Brake System on a 2011 Ford Edge
Question:
I have a 2011 Ford Edge and purchased a Falcon All Terain Tow bar and an Even Brake proportional braking system used. I did not have the in car equiptment for the brake system so i purchased a Second Vehicle Kit PN 98400 from etrailer. It arrived last year and I am just getting around to hooking it up. My problem is the instructions list several things that I dont completely understand what exactly they are: 1. The instructions caution to not use the Even Brake on a car with active braking systems. The Edge does have an active brake mode that uses the ABS to apply more braking force in a panic stop but the dealer and I do not think it is the same active braking cautioned about in the instructions ... it seems to mean a system that uses electricity to produce brake boost with the key in accessory but not running. I do not think the Edge has that pushing on the brake with engine running is completely different feel than when it is off and ignition on accessory and neither did the dealer. Your response to a person with a 2010 Edge would also seem to indicate that the Edge will work OK with Even Brake. Is that correct? 2. My second question is about the wirring for the brake lite relay. The instructions seems ot indicate that Fords all require the Normally Closed wirring proceedures but I am not able to use the instructions to confirm that. The instructions tell me to pull the brake fuse and the car should not start with the push button. It does start but the brake lights do not work that was the Brake switch on/off fuse but there are many other fuses that indicate somethngto do with the brakes lights. Can you tell me if the Edge requires the Normally Open or Closed proceedures for installing the brake lite relay. Or: 3. If I use a set of magneticly attached lights, or add bulbs to the tail lights, I think I would need to unplug the brake light fuse and monitor the wires from the motorhome and not even connect the relay to the towed cars brake light switch, to use the Even brake. Is that correct? I guess what I wonder is: the brake light relay/switch connection is to energize the Even Brake and not the lights right? But the motorhome uses 4 wires and the turn and brakes are a shared bulb where the car uses 6 wires and the turn and brake lights are seoparate and independant of each other, so it seems like adding lights from the motorhome circuit and monitoring those brake lights would be the easiest way to accomplish this but how do you separate the turn lights from the brake light signals, so the Even brake is not bouncing on and off to the tune of the turn light signal?
asked by: Mike M
Expert Reply:
Your assumptions about the braking system on the 2011 Ford Edge are correct. An active braking system, also called a continuous power assist system, is different than what is on your vehicle. You can use the Even Brake # RM-9400 with the 2011 Ford Edge.
You should not need a brake light relay if you are using a 6-diode kit that uses the vehicle wiring, # 154-792-118158. If you are using a 4-diode kit or any kit that plugs in line with the vehicle wiring then the brake light relay is going to be required and it should be done following the normally closed instructions only if the vehicle does not start with the fuse removed. If you have the correct fuse pulled and it does start then you would used the normally open instructions.
You may or may not have the correct fuse but the vehicle owners manual should tell you the correct one and where it is located. I did check an online version of the owners manual and did not see any information about pulling fuses for recreational towing. Consult a Ford technician to determine if a fuse does need to be pulled. Roadmaster recommends fuses be pulled that could drain the vehicle battery when flat towing it but it is not required.
The brake light relay is designed to override the vehicle brake light signal so the signals coming back from the motor home and the Even Brake all work properly. You will not need it if you use the 6-diode kit which will also solve the RV combined system to tow vehicle separate turn signal problem.
So the bottom line is that if you use the 6 diode kit, you will not have to worry about using a brake light relay or how to go about wiring it.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster 6-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles with Separate Lighting
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Not Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Standard
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Search Results: brake switch relay
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Q&A: How To Wire Brake Buddy Battery Charger 39339
- Video: Best 2018 Jeep Jk Wrangler Base Plate Options
- Shop: Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Shop: Valterra EZ Valve Electric Waste Valve for RV Black Water Tank - 3" Diameter
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Search Results: base plates
- Video: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System Installation - 2022 Ford F-150
- Shop: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Article: Best Vehicles to Flat Tow Behind an RV
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Video: Review of Blue Ox Tow Bar Braking Systems - Patriot Portable Braking System - BLU37TR
- Article: Roadmaster Vehicle Specific Base Plates
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2015 Chevy Malibu LS
- Search Results: tow bar
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: base plate
- Video: Roadmaster Tow Bar Wiring - Splices into Vehicle Wiring - RM-15267 Review
- Article: Must-Have Flat Towing Components
- Q&A: Which is Better Roadmaster or Blue Ox Tow Bar
- Search Results: rm~88400
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: Blue Ox Patriot Radio Frequency Portable Braking System Review
- Video: Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System Review
on Tow Bar
