FOMOCO5OH

Hey, I have a 2013 XLT and will be towing a 7x14 (3500-4000 lbs loaded) trailer approx 3000 miles. I will be selling the trailer when I arrive so the TBC will be virtually useless afterwards. Would it be worth getting the ford tbc or just installing a prodigy? Is there a part # for the '13 ford tbc? What do you guys think?

willieboy

If you never plan to have a trailer with electric brakes again, then the prodigy is probably fine. But, if you even think for a second that you might want a brake controller for future trailers, the OEM will be your best bet.

brulaz

What Willieboy says.

bubbabud

^^^^ 100%

smokeywren

Based on gobs of experience, I'd get the Ford ITBC. I've towed tens of thousands of miles with lesser trailer brake controllers, but the ITBC in my 2012 F-150 is much, much better than the others. And it doesn't cost that much more than a Prodigy or other quality TBC. Sticker price on my 2012 was $230. Here's a new one from a Ford dealer's discount parts dept. for $131:
http://www.tousleyfordparts.com/part...&siteid=214771

BL3Z 2C006-BB

I too have a 7x14 cargo trailer (CarMate). Mine has GVWR of 7,000 pounds, and I usually load it to 5,000 to 6,000 pounds. I use the Ford ITBC and a Reese dual-cam Strait-Line weight-distributing hitch with trunion bars rated for 800 pounds hitch weight. We tow either from Midland to Austin through the Texas Hill country, or from Midland to El Paso over the Rocky Mountain passes on I-20. Tows great with that hitch, and the OEM trailer brake controller is faultless.

FOMOCO5OH

Thanks for all the info. Anybody have their truck ecm flashed in the Detroit area yet? Thanks

smokeywren

You do understand that flashing the PCM with an aftermarket tune will immediately and permanently void your engine warranty? If you have an EcoBoost engine, that's probably not a good idea.

Twisty

FOMO may have meant a flash for the TBC.
The controller bought, installed and flashed was about $225 at the local dealer for me.

FOMOCO5OH

What twisty said..re-flash of the ecm for the ford tbc. Lookin for anyone that has had a detroit area dealer re-flash theirs. Thanks

smokeywren

You have to flash the PCM before the ITBC will work? Speaking as an old retired software designer, that would be an incredibly stupid software design.