Why Does 12V Power Wire Need to be Ran for Curt Echo on a 2016 Ford F-150

Question:

Hi!I have a ford f150 model year 2016. I was interested in the echo 51180 but see the information that the f150 s power to the 7 way in park and when switching gears. So its not compatible without a special harness. What happens when the power stops during gear changes? Is it just that the brake is released and then re engaged or does the device go into calibration mode? How does the harness help? Im new to towing so might be dumb questions. Probably the biggest thing I dont understand is why the brake wire in the 7 way does not carry a voltage proportional to the brake pressure.? Then you would just have to adjust the signal up or down. I must be missing something! Thanks for your help

asked by: James M

Expert Reply:

I'd be happy to help explain this for you!

Standard brake controllers will send power to the trailer brakes on their own circuit from the front of the vehicle and through the tow vehicle's 7-Way connector. The Curt Echo # C51180 is a little different though because it only taps into the brake light signals (which is different than the brake controller circuit) and 12V power - then it allows all of the other circuits to bypass through (like the running lights).

Since the Echo uses the 12V power pin to send power back to the brakes on your trailer, when that little glitch happens it cuts power to your trailer brakes as well. If you rewire the 12V power pin on your 7-Way and route it straight to the positive terminal on your battery then it bypasses this weird setting on your 2016 Ford F-150 so you don't have that power loss.

I'm not sure if the trailer brakes release and then come right back on or if the Echo has to recalibrate but either way is dangerous which is why you need to run that wire for this brake controller. Below is a list of the parts you need and I'm linking a photo to show you which pin you need to connect this wire to:

- 10 Gauge Wire # 1-1-1
- 40 Amp Circuit Breaker # 9510
- Ring terminal to match what is on your battery