Cisco1911

Howdy,


Help a "young" lady out here...

I have a new 2014 5.0 Supercrew STX Sport with tow package. I need to add a trailer brake controller and will go aftermarket (BigTex). My truck came with the wiring harness in the glove box. After doing a search on TBC I could not find the answer to my question which is this:
I have trailer sway control on my truck. If I go aftermarket and there is no need to flash the computer (as I have read there is no need to flash) then trailer sway control will not activate? Can someone tell me if I need to have an aftermarket TBC flashed at the dealer?

Also, does the harness that came with my truck include the wire to charge the trailer's brake away battery? I will be pulling a two horse CM Dakota trailer.


TIA for any answers!

EventHorizon

I don't know for certain but I think the sway control will work even without a brake controller at all but I'm not 100% sure.


And just to add my 2 cents if you can install the Ford IBC go with that one. worth every expensive penny!!

Feathermerchant

Cisco - The sway control question is one for Ford.
FWIW I installed the Ford integrated brake controller and it was easy.
As far as the battery charging, my controller came with a relay to install into the box under the hood. You can check the voltage at the plug on the truck to see if you are getting 12V.

brulaz

I'll agree that Ford's Integrated Brake controller is what you want. And yes, it's more expensive and requires a flash but worth it.

As for the Auto Sway control, even if it does work, you really don't want to get to that place as it only kicks in under extreme circumstances. You will want some form of mechanical/friction sway control at your hitch to keep you out of those situations in the first place.

frobotz

I only use prodigy brake controllers. Check them out, You'll understand why.

raisin

I like Prodigy (still have 2) but on my 2014 factory controller works much better.

dcarr

In the bag that the factory plug came in you should have a box style fuse or relay that goes in the fuse box under the hood. That will give you the 12v to the trailer plug out back. It should have directions on where it plugs into the fuse box. As far as the sway control, under your settings menu on your instrument cluster you can turn it on and off. I have never had it activate to know for sure that it works but I would think that's a good thing. To me if it says its on it should def be on as I would figure that would be a law suit at this day in age as people love to find an easy way to get free money. Good luck

JimFX4

The trailer sway controller will work with an aftermarket controller. The yaw sensor is built into the truck- not the controller. The yaw sensor detects that the trailer is trying to make the bed of the truck fishtail and uses the brakes and cuts engine throttle to level it out.

Feathermerchant

Just how does it use the TRAILER brakes to straighten out the sway with an aftermarket brake controller?

JimFX4

The computer applies the brakes and/or decreases throttle. What is actually detected it the trailer attempting to cause the rear of the truck to fishtail. When the computer senses this it intervenes. It will work even without a brake controller. Anything over a 1,000 pounds, however, requires a brake controller.