F150 integrated brake controller (repost in correct forum)

[Swardy]

Anyone have exprience with the 2014 F-150 brake controller?

I installed an aftermarket brake controller in our previous tow vehicle and had no issues at all - only needed the gain turned up less than halfway and could easily lock the trailer tires manually.

With the F150 integrated controller, having the gain all the way to 10 still will not lock the trailer tires even at idle speeds.

I haven't put a meter on the connector to see what kind of voltage I'm getting but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen similar results with the factory controller?

[oldmanAZ]

You didn't mention if you are towing same trailer or not.

[cekkk]

My DW's 2013 Expedition tows 35 to 4500# depending on what toys and cargo are on the flatbed. And while I can't recall the exact gain number I end up with when I set it for her before we leave, I know it's a much lower setting than the max. No guarantee both vehicles have the same controller, but I'd think it's not unlikely.

[Swardy]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

You didn't mention if you are towing same trailer or not.

Same trailer (X19H) only thing different is the tow vehicle.

[oldmanAZ]

Also, you may have to check into the 'features' of the integrated controller. It may be reading your vehicle speed etc. and adjusting the trailer brakes according to its parameters.

I had also read (here?) that the newer integrated controllers have a 'high/low' setting. Your Ford dealer may be able to tell you if that is true or not.

[Swardy]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Also, you may have to check into the 'features' of the integrated controller. It may be reading your vehicle speed etc. and adjusting the trailer brakes according to its parameters.

I had also read (here?) that the newer integrated controllers have a 'high/low' setting. Your Ford dealer may be able to tell you if that is true or not.

Check.
It reads vehicle speed and braking input to determine the amount of brakes to apply. Didn't see that in the manual however I found a reference online @ Fords's website.

I am pretty sure I tried to have the trailer hold me back at Idle using the manual lever but maybe I didn't try that... I will next time hooked up.

Thanks,

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by Swardy

Anyone have exprience with the 2014 F-150 brake controller?

I installed an aftermarket brake controller in our previous tow vehicle and had no issues at all - only needed the gain turned up less than halfway and could easily lock the trailer tires manually.

With the F150 integrated controller, having the gain all the way to 10 still will not lock the trailer tires even at idle speeds.

I haven't put a meter on the connector to see what kind of voltage I'm getting but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen similar results with the factory controller?

Was your truck setup for trailer brakes? Do you have both 4 pin and 7 pin connectors from the truck?

[Swardy]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Was your truck setup for trailer brakes?
Do you have both 4 pin and 7 pin connectors from the truck?

What do you mean by set up? It has the factory integrated controller...

Yes I have both but am using the 7 pin.


I think the intelligent (?) nature of the integrated controller threw me for a loop. I suspect now that I know how different it works compared to an after market unit all will be fine.....

[TWP723]

The braking energy provided to the trailer is varied with a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal that switches between 0 volts and battery voltage, the higher the duty cycle the more braking power available. The Trailer Brake Control (TBC) module varies the PWM signal based on various inputs such as the brake torque message, the manual slider switch and the gain buttons. With the vehicle stationary and the manual slider switch fully to the left with a gain of 10, there should be more than 10-12 volts supplied to pin 3 of the 7-pin trailer tow connector. The TBC module Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) output voltage is speed dependent. With the vehicle stationary and the brake pedal applied, there is approximately 0 volts at the trailer tow connector (pin-3 or pin-7). When the trailer is connected to the vehicle the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) should show the TRAILER CONNECTED message. If the WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER is only message displayed when the trailer is connected, the fault is with the trailer wiring.

[DustyGeek]

Based on your description, my 2012 F-250 has a similar integrated brake controller and I notice the same issue with our current trailer.

Our old trailer (28' Keystone Cougar X-Lite) used to grab really hard around 6 on the gain. The current (32' Jayco Octane) behaves at 10 like the old one behaved at 5.

Based on what I recall reading in the owners manual when I set it, you're supposed to go 25mph and trigger the brakes with manual lever/switch on the dash. Ours definitely grabs and will slow us down, but doesn't actually lock up. It will prevent us from moving once stopped unless I give it a fair amount of gas. They grab well enough, I'm not worried, but I don't like being at the maximum.

My dealer is just far enough away (~140mi), it doesn't make sense dragging the trailer all the way down there for them to do something that I can do myself. So, my next step is going to be removing the wheels to inspect the brakes to make sure there's nothing mechanically/electrically wrong with them (e.g., if they are compromised by grease from the factory, mis-adjusted so much the auto adjustment isn't kicking in or maybe even if the front or rear set isn't working at all).

[TWP723]

Every 4 seconds (when not braking) the TBC module sends a voltage pulse to pin 3 of the 7-pin trailer tow connector to determine whether or not a trailer is connected.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by DustyGeek

Based on your description, my 2012 F-250 has a similar integrated brake controller and I notice the same issue with our current trailer.

Our old trailer (28' Keystone Cougar X-Lite) used to grab really hard around 6 on the gain. The current (32' Jayco Octane) behaves at 10 like the old one behaved at 5.

Based on what I recall reading in the owners manual when I set it, ...snip

That's the truck owner's manual, correct? Have you also checked the Jayco manual regarding the trailer brakes? They are self adjusting and need time to wear in. How many miles have you towed the new trailer? It may be they have not yet adjusted themselves fully outward yet. Several of us on this site have noted the apparent lack of trailer braking with the new units.

BTW, just trailer miles probably not enough. More than likely it's really braking cycles. Lots of trailers rack up highway miles between the factory and 'home' but with very few braking cycles per mile.

[Swardy]

I don't believe I have anything wrong with the wiring at all. When connected it shows connected on the dash. It seems the only thing I have to do is check any setting proceedure I may have missed in the manual and just get used to an intelligent(?) braking system.

As far as the trailer goes, it is unlikely there are any adjustment issues as it performed just fine with the previous tow vehicle.

[DustyGeek]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

... How many miles have you towed the new trailer? It may be they have not yet adjusted themselves fully outward yet. Several of us on this site have noted the apparent lack of trailer braking with the new units. ...

We've put about 500 miles over 3 trips since picking it up a month+ ago. A good bit of that was interstate, but the start is a tow through town and DC area stop/go traffic, and then the end is back through town again. I'm pretty sure there have been more than enough braking cycles by now to get them to adjust. I really haven't experienced any change yet, which suggests to me this is just the way this trailer is or there's something mostly but not quite right, hence my plan to pull the wheels and visually inspect to confirm everything's mechanically ok.

[Heady]

Have the integrated controller in my F150. In my opinion it works very well, if you turn to the right screen on the dash, you can see the output as you lightly press the brakes or if you hit the brakes a bit harder. Was in a panic stop once and the controller sent a strong voltage to the trailer and we all came to a quick stop. Although I liked my P3 on my previous TV, I think I like the integrated controller bit a wee bit better.

[ecoboosteagle]

My 12 f150 won't lock the trailer wheels either. SAme as others, slows me down to a stop but won't lock the wheels I have it set at 10 gain. I have read this to be quite common. Especially on heavier trailers

[smoothy]

Run mine at 10 and it will not lock up.

[mike837go]

This may be a bit off-topic, but remember that locked-up brakes is generally considered a bad thing.


Anybody recall why ABS is standard in any car/SUV/truck you buy now?


If you can feel the trailer's brakes handling the mass of the trailer (and possibly a bit of the tow vehicle's) you are doing fine.


If the trailer's wheels lock in a panic stop, things will get very messy fast.


We are much better off with straight, controlled, though slightly longer stops.


Or would you like to find your trailer perpendicular to your tow with a bent frame and blocking oncoming traffic?


I know where I stand on the compromise.


[/end rant]

[SkyBound]

I have my integrated brake controller set to 6.5 on my '13 EcoBoost F-150. Seems to be the right setting for my 6500lb trailer.

[dmward]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I have my integrated brake controller set to 6.5 on my '13 EcoBoost F-150. Seems to be the right setting for my 6500lb trailer.

Similar for me. Find the highest setting that doesn't "tug" back on the truck is my approach.