Recommended Brake Controller and Installation on 2007 Ford Expedition
Question:
Which brake controller go with this plug? It was installed on my expedition when I bought it. It has 5 prongs but all the one I find looks like they are 4 prongs?
asked by: Luke A
Expert Reply:
A brake controller isn't a vehicle-specific item, you can use just about any brake controller in your 2007 Expedition. I'd recommend using a proportional controller, which uses internal sensors that can tell how quickly the vehicle is braking. Based on that input, the controller will send the proper amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so the vehicle and trailer stop at the same rate.
The Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160 is a good and fairly inexpensive option. The linked video explains how the controller works. You'll also need the brake controller wiring harness, part # 3035-P. The harness plugs into the gray connector located under the dash just above where the driver's right knee would be. If your Expy has the factory 7-way trailer connector, your install will be complete at this point.
If the vehicle has the 4-pole trailer connector, you'll also need an adapter like the # 37185 you'd looked at.
The adapter would plug into your existing 4 pole connector. Ground the adapter's white wire to clean, bare metal on the vehicle. The purple wire is meant to be tapped into the vehicle's reverse lamp circuit, but if the trailer doesn't have reverse lamps or a surge brake coupler, you can just bundle that wire up out of the way.
For the remaining blue and black wires, you'll want to trace the wiring harness feeding your existing 4 pole until it connects to a plug on the drivers side frame rail, near the back wheel. Look at the wire harness coming from the front of the vehicle that feeds this plug, and remove the tape or wire loom protecting it.
You'll want to find a blue and an orange (perhaps red) wire in that harness. Connect the blue wire in the harness to the blue wire from the adapter and the orange (or red) harness wire to the black wire from the adapter. You might need a length of 10 or 12 gauge wire if the wires coming from the adapter aren't long enough. We sell jacketed 2 conductor 10 gauge wire by the foot as part # 10-2-1, which would work great. 2 or 3 feet would do the trick.
I'll link to an install video and an informative article about the installation that you might find helpful.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot
- Wiring
- Wire
- Jacketed Wire
- 2 Wire
- 10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 3 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 90 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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Luke A.
9/18/2021
Which brake controller go with this plug? It was installed on my expedition when I bought it. It has 5 prongs but all the one I find looks like they are 4 prongs?