2010 Trailer Brake Install
03-29-2011, 07:14 PM
#121
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Also to your knowledge is there any way to test if the controller were bad????
Kev, if for some reason there is something wrong with the one we sent you, you can always send it back for a replacement. No need to raise hell 
I would have to say though that it would be the first time that I have seen a trailer brake controller fail. We sell at least 3-5 per day and never have problems.
thanks,
Joshua
I would have to say though that it would be the first time that I have seen a trailer brake controller fail. We sell at least 3-5 per day and never have problems.
thanks,
Joshua
03-30-2011, 02:13 AM
#122
http://www.carpartsestore.com/prodde...AL3Z-19H332-AA
$182.50 free shipping. $85 for dealer to enable the controller.
$182.50 free shipping. $85 for dealer to enable the controller.
My July built 2010 also has the brake controller harnass taped to a large main harness right by the lip, of the bottom panel, under the steering wheel. I could easily just install my Prodigy and not worry about $260 w/o tax and not worry about pulling panels off with the worry of damaged clips, etc.
I would lose the automatic trailer braking under sway conditions but then again, that's why controllers have a manual arm. Under sway conditions, you are not to use the vehicles brakes at all, and get the sway under controll by activating the trailer brakes with the controller's manual arm. Obviously the sway control is a different animal than standard vehicle braking under trailer sway conditions. The sway control seems really great but I've never had sway even under the worst situation with the Reese Straight-Line Sway Control System (Dual Cam High Performance system).
I'm really debating if it's truly worth $260, grief installing the controller, then more grief getting the programming done. I love the prodigy, it's the best, set and forget.
03-30-2011, 08:29 AM
#123
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The sway control feature not only works the tires of the trailer but also on the truck. There was a video posted somewhere on here that shows what's going on when sway control is working
As for testing the controller to see if it's bad, there's no real way. This is for the 2010. Only things you can do is squeeze the brakes without a trailer connected. Should say in the dash No Trailer Connected. If you connect a trailer, you should be able to cycle through your odomoter and stuff to the TBC and see the gain & current braking level.
As for testing the controller to see if it's bad, there's no real way. This is for the 2010. Only things you can do is squeeze the brakes without a trailer connected. Should say in the dash No Trailer Connected. If you connect a trailer, you should be able to cycle through your odomoter and stuff to the TBC and see the gain & current braking level.
03-30-2011, 11:35 AM
#124
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Mike;
You already have a controller and you have the reese anti sway system. The only real advantage the OEM TBC would net you is a cleaner install. If you are happy with the one you have and can mount it where you can get to it easily it's a no brainer. Stay with what you have.
I probably would have done that myself but I forgot to remove my controller when I totalled my Sierra last May. I was more concerned about the winch and just forgot about the controller. By the time I remembered, the scrappers had it. So, since I had to buy a new one, I went with the OEM. My main reason was location,
Ken;
The only functional test without a trailer hooked up is to hit the controller manual lever with the ignition on, (message center working). If the programming was done you will get a message on the center that you don't have a trailer installed. If it's not programmed, nothing happens.
You already have a controller and you have the reese anti sway system. The only real advantage the OEM TBC would net you is a cleaner install. If you are happy with the one you have and can mount it where you can get to it easily it's a no brainer. Stay with what you have.
I probably would have done that myself but I forgot to remove my controller when I totalled my Sierra last May. I was more concerned about the winch and just forgot about the controller. By the time I remembered, the scrappers had it. So, since I had to buy a new one, I went with the OEM. My main reason was location,
Ken;
The only functional test without a trailer hooked up is to hit the controller manual lever with the ignition on, (message center working). If the programming was done you will get a message on the center that you don't have a trailer installed. If it's not programmed, nothing happens.
03-30-2011, 02:00 PM
#125
I put a Reese Dual Cam HP sway control on my 21Ft TT when I was pulling it with a TrailBlazer a few years ago and all sway is GONE. Best $200 I ever spent and no more White Knuckles, removing the sway bar for reverse, adjusting the pressure etc...
I installed the OEM brake controller I got from Tasca last week but only because I wanted a clean install. My dealer programmed it for $32.
I installed the OEM brake controller I got from Tasca last week but only because I wanted a clean install. My dealer programmed it for $32.
Last edited by mi-skidoo; 03-30-2011 at 02:03 PM.
03-31-2011, 12:00 PM
#126
F150 Forum
Kev, Not sure if there is anyway to test them. I really have never heard of one failing EVER.
Hope everything works out for you. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
thanks,
Joshua
Hope everything works out for you. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
thanks,
Joshua
04-03-2011, 02:01 AM
#127
Originally Posted by 2010 F150 Manual
Note:
Your TBC can be diagnosed by your authorized dealer to
determine exactly which trailer fault has occurred; however, if the fault
is with the trailer this diagnosis is
is with the trailer this diagnosis is
not covered under your Ford
warranty.
•
warranty.
•
The TBC is only a factory or dealer installed item. Ford is not
responsible for warranty or performance of the TBC due to misuse or
customer installation.
•
Do not attempt removal of the TBC without consulting the
Workshop Manual. Damage to the unit may result.
Workshop Manual. Damage to the unit may result.
Wow I was still considering the Ford Factory TBC but after reading this in my manual, I'm really worried about installing it myself, if something fails, looks like they'll void the warranty. I'm mainly worried about the ECM it ties into. I also like to troubleshoot problems myself dealing with the trailer and control of it. Looks like a service call with trailer is needed for the Factory TBC.
I may save the money. I did get service to activate it for $35 now instead of $75, but still it would be $220 with chance of voiding warranty just because I installed it myself! Service would likely charge me a full hour of labor for the install plus the $35 for activation so I'll stick with my prodigy for sure.
Besides I really wonder how the Factory TBC works in slick conditions and sway conditions.
Slick conditions, you can turn down your gain so that there's some braking but not enough to lockup the wheels. Sway conditions, I wonder how it activates the trailer brakes. I wonder if it's a steady ramp up in voltage, an instant high voltage, an instant low voltage, and if it can be over ridden manual with the manual squeeze bar.
At least with an aftermarket controller, you can diagnose problems yourself and you can trailor the manual control and gain to the driving situation.
Also, I didn't see a 'boost' option that prodigy gives you. That boost gives an imediate low voltage as soon as the brake pedal is pushed so that you don't get an initial push from the trailer. With my Sport Trac, I needed boost #1 with the Jayco Travel Trailer and none with the previous 2800# loaded Starcraft Pop Up camper.
Ford is just not descriptive enough in how their TBC operates. This is a concern of mine when you have your family in the truck and you don't want to guess that it will perform at optimum, if it's really not for the situation at hand.
I'm actually going to install my Prodigy on the right side slanting panel underneith where the keys hang. It will be easily to reach for emergencies and I can see the display well enough by looking around the keys. With the controller mounted where Etrailer mounted it, I can barely reach it and that's not safe where I can't be in control of the steering wheel. Also it would be right where my right gas pedal foot would go. I would be hitting the controller on my leg and it would be uncomfortable for sure.
I will be getting the **** Custom Tow mirrors from Etrailer so I may order some additions as well since I buying from them already.
Thanks for such a great thread, very helpful. I may had pulled my dash apart only to find a missing TBC harnass!! Ford needs to put out a different instruction sheet with their harness kit so people don't tear their dash apart for no reason.
Last edited by Mike Up; 04-03-2011 at 02:38 AM.
04-05-2011, 07:31 PM
#128
Junior Member
Watch manufacture dates on 2010 F-150.. Vehicle Build Date after: 6/25/2010 use the newer controller AL3Z-2C006-AB and is listed at $341 but have found it available for $260.
Last edited by firejimcf; 04-05-2011 at 10:48 PM.
04-05-2011, 11:09 PM
#129
Junior Member
2010 f-150 Trailer Brake Control Install
Trailer Brake Control (TBC) Module
INSTALLATION NOTE: The trailer brake system is normally installed at the assembly plant, however, the system can be installed at the dealership but only if the vehicle is equipped with the trailer tow option. This option can be confirmed by verifying the presence of both the 4-pin and the 7-pin connectors at the rear of the vehicle as well as a receiver hitch. If the vehicle is not equipped with these 3 items, then it is not equipped with trailer tow and cannot have the factory Trailer Brake Control (TBC) system installed.
On those vehicles equipped with the trailer tow option, the 14-way electrical connector for the TBC module is attached to the back of the coin bin/storage tray or taped to the 14401 harness panels behind the driver side knee bolster near the OBDII takeout. If the system is installed at the dealership, the TBC module will be installed in place of the coin bin/storage tray and the Instrument Cluster (IC) must be configured to communicate with the TBC finish panel.
module.
NOTE: 1 Relay (8L8T-14B192-AA) & 1 Fuse(6E5T-14A094-BA) has been provided with the
trailer tow kit for installation. This relay and fusemust be installed to the relay box, located in the
engine compartment on top of the fan shroud, in order for the trailer tow battery charge system to function properly.
INSTALLATION NOTE: The trailer brake system is normally installed at the assembly plant, however, the system can be installed at the dealership but only if the vehicle is equipped with the trailer tow option. This option can be confirmed by verifying the presence of both the 4-pin and the 7-pin connectors at the rear of the vehicle as well as a receiver hitch. If the vehicle is not equipped with these 3 items, then it is not equipped with trailer tow and cannot have the factory Trailer Brake Control (TBC) system installed.
On those vehicles equipped with the trailer tow option, the 14-way electrical connector for the TBC module is attached to the back of the coin bin/storage tray or taped to the 14401 harness panels behind the driver side knee bolster near the OBDII takeout. If the system is installed at the dealership, the TBC module will be installed in place of the coin bin/storage tray and the Instrument Cluster (IC) must be configured to communicate with the TBC finish panel.
module.
NOTE: 1 Relay (8L8T-14B192-AA) & 1 Fuse(6E5T-14A094-BA) has been provided with the
trailer tow kit for installation. This relay and fusemust be installed to the relay box, located in the
engine compartment on top of the fan shroud, in order for the trailer tow battery charge system to function properly.
04-06-2011, 07:45 AM
#130
F150 Forum
We sell the AL3Z-2C006-AB for $229.77
If anyone wants to order a trailer brake controller, drop me an e-mail at jlaliberte@tasca.com
thanks,
Joshua