Another trailer brake question
12-14-2011, 11:08 AM
#11
Well, my 2011 XLT didn't come with a tow package.
So I've installed the hitch, went to FOMOCO and bought the harness, plug and bracket, and I can pull trailers, but I don't have a trailer brake controller.
Which way should I go - aftermarket, or go to the dealer, order the BL3Z-19H332-AA kit and have it reflashed ?
Any advice ?
So I've installed the hitch, went to FOMOCO and bought the harness, plug and bracket, and I can pull trailers, but I don't have a trailer brake controller.
Which way should I go - aftermarket, or go to the dealer, order the BL3Z-19H332-AA kit and have it reflashed ?
Any advice ?
I purchased mine with the trailer brake a part of the option package. There is a bag with wire loom and plugs included for the final instal. Haven't installed it yet. Don't pull a trailer needing it yet. The boat and Golf cart trailers aren't that big. Don't pull implements. May never need it. But I got it to have Fords best trailer/tow system. All else about the option seems like magic happening on the road. Truck seems as light as a feather but sticks like glue and corners wonderful. 
12-14-2011, 11:17 AM
#12
Disagree. The tow pkg is available for any axle ratio Ford offers. The weight of any trailer you can tow is determined by the engine and rear axle, regardless of whether you have the trailer tow pkg.
The GCWR (gross combined weight rating) of the truck is based on the combo of engine, drivetrain and rear axle ratio. With the EcoBoost engine, it varies from 14,000 with 3.15 or 3.31 axle ratio, with or without the trailer tow pkg, to 17,000 with 3.73 axle ratio. (If you order the 3.73 ratio behind the EcoBoost engine, the max tow pkg comes with it).
With 2012 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x2 6.5' bed with EcoBoost engine, standard axle ratio is 3.15 and the trailer tow pkg is an option. GVWR is 14,000 and Ford's overstated tow rating is 8,400. The actual tow rating without exceeding the GCWR is about 7,400 pounds max trailer weight. So that pickup should be able to tow any trailer that doesn't weigh more than about 7,000 pounds, even if you don't pay extra for the trailer towing pkg.
The 7,000 pounds max trailer weight in the above example does not require the trailer towing pkg, but you must pay careful attention to your coolant and ATF temps if you don't have it. The trailer towing pkg includes the hitch receiver, 7-pin RV trailer plug and wiring harness, bigger radiator, and auxiliary tranny cooler.
The max trailer towing pkg with EcoBoost engine bumps the GCWR up to 11,000 pounds and includes the items in the trailer tow pkg plus trailer brake controller and the telescoping trailer tow mirrors. It requires 3.73 axle ratio on most models, or 4.10 axle ratio on the FX4 with 20" tires.
The GCWR (gross combined weight rating) of the truck is based on the combo of engine, drivetrain and rear axle ratio. With the EcoBoost engine, it varies from 14,000 with 3.15 or 3.31 axle ratio, with or without the trailer tow pkg, to 17,000 with 3.73 axle ratio. (If you order the 3.73 ratio behind the EcoBoost engine, the max tow pkg comes with it).
With 2012 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x2 6.5' bed with EcoBoost engine, standard axle ratio is 3.15 and the trailer tow pkg is an option. GVWR is 14,000 and Ford's overstated tow rating is 8,400. The actual tow rating without exceeding the GCWR is about 7,400 pounds max trailer weight. So that pickup should be able to tow any trailer that doesn't weigh more than about 7,000 pounds, even if you don't pay extra for the trailer towing pkg.
The 7,000 pounds max trailer weight in the above example does not require the trailer towing pkg, but you must pay careful attention to your coolant and ATF temps if you don't have it. The trailer towing pkg includes the hitch receiver, 7-pin RV trailer plug and wiring harness, bigger radiator, and auxiliary tranny cooler.
The max trailer towing pkg with EcoBoost engine bumps the GCWR up to 11,000 pounds and includes the items in the trailer tow pkg plus trailer brake controller and the telescoping trailer tow mirrors. It requires 3.73 axle ratio on most models, or 4.10 axle ratio on the FX4 with 20" tires.
Also use M2 a lot when starting out empty as the 4.10 goes granny in low at about 5mph's. But the torque is wrenching.:sco oter:
12-14-2011, 12:02 PM
#13
Well, my 2011 XLT didn't come with a tow package.
So I've installed the hitch, went to FOMOCO and bought the harness, plug and bracket, and I can pull trailers, but I don't have a trailer brake controller.
Which way should I go - aftermarket, or go to the dealer, order the BL3Z-19H332-AA kit and have it reflashed ?
Any advice ?
So I've installed the hitch, went to FOMOCO and bought the harness, plug and bracket, and I can pull trailers, but I don't have a trailer brake controller.
Which way should I go - aftermarket, or go to the dealer, order the BL3Z-19H332-AA kit and have it reflashed ?
Any advice ?
Mine was an XLT with no other options other than 5.0 engine
I thought it would just be a Plug and play and so didn't the dealer
I installed the factory brake control and it DOES plug in to the harness under the dash.
I went to the ford store and had them turn the BC on in the Computer
Heres were it gets tricky
I go home and plug into my trailer and nothing works
I go back to Ford store and we determine that there are 2 Different part numbers for 2011 model year. So we switch out the part and we are good to go. It recognizes the controller etc.
I go back home and the Park, signal, and brake lights work
However the brake control and the 12 volt would not, the BC just said no trailer connected
Back to Ford store and upon investigation we find out that If you did not have a trailer hitch installed at factory these 2 wires terminate about 18 inches into the harness under the dash
I had to run these two lines back to the harness at the trailer hitch.
After that it worked fine
Hope this helps
Even if you run an aftermarket BC you would still have to run these 2 lines
I would still go with Factory Brake Controller
Cheers
Andy
Last edited by cigar guy; 12-14-2011 at 12:37 PM.
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12-14-2011, 03:39 PM
#15
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the good info cigar guy -
I'm puzzled - I wonder how many variations FOMOCO has on these trucks wiring harnesses -
I see other posts where guys buy a controller from etrailer, plug them in and they work - yet you had to run two wires, as I now believe that I will have to also.
I just have to decide if I want to spend a hundred bucks on aftermarket, and do it myself, or take it to the dealer and pay scalpers prices on the install -
Thanks for the responses.
(BTW - the next truck I buy will have the complete tow package on it)
I'm puzzled - I wonder how many variations FOMOCO has on these trucks wiring harnesses -
I see other posts where guys buy a controller from etrailer, plug them in and they work - yet you had to run two wires, as I now believe that I will have to also.
I just have to decide if I want to spend a hundred bucks on aftermarket, and do it myself, or take it to the dealer and pay scalpers prices on the install -
Thanks for the responses.
(BTW - the next truck I buy will have the complete tow package on it)
12-14-2011, 10:58 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thanks for the good info cigar guy -
I'm puzzled - I wonder how many variations FOMOCO has on these trucks wiring harnesses -
I see other posts where guys buy a controller from etrailer, plug them in and they work - yet you had to run two wires, as I now believe that I will have to also.
I just have to decide if I want to spend a hundred bucks on aftermarket, and do it myself, or take it to the dealer and pay scalpers prices on the install -
Thanks for the responses.
(BTW - the next truck I buy will have the complete tow package on it)
I'm puzzled - I wonder how many variations FOMOCO has on these trucks wiring harnesses -
I see other posts where guys buy a controller from etrailer, plug them in and they work - yet you had to run two wires, as I now believe that I will have to also.
I just have to decide if I want to spend a hundred bucks on aftermarket, and do it myself, or take it to the dealer and pay scalpers prices on the install -
Thanks for the responses.
(BTW - the next truck I buy will have the complete tow package on it)
no tow package and no 7 pin plug out back and then you need the two other wires. ether way factory is buy far much better as it will act with the traction control, roll stability, and the sway control thats already part of your truck for a much better control when towing then its smooth
!
12-16-2011, 03:16 PM
#17
FORD lifer
Thread Starter
~update~
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
12-17-2011, 02:48 AM
#18
Senior Member
~update~
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
12-17-2011, 10:26 AM
#19
~update~
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
I stopped at the dealer I bought the truck from, and they told me they will install the brake controller in the dash, reflash the computer, and run the other wires if they have too for $322.00.
Hmmm - $139.90 for an aftermarket, or more than twice as much for a dealer job - I'll have to think about that one .
AFAIK, they didn't need to run any wires.
