94-F150-10

If your truck is wired for it go OEM, way better than aftermarket. It works with your trailer sway control also. I bought mine from the dealership for about $130, went home and took about 15 minutes to install, went back to the dealership the next day and payed them $45 to program computer for it to work. Looks and works much better than aftermarket.

Apeman

The dealership can install one. Work up the deal so that they will install it for you even if you have to purchase the controller yourself. Check around for price before you just buy it through your dealer. Some dealers charge way to much for parts.

PssdOfficer84

The OEM trailer brake controller is super easy to install yourself. However, your computer will need to be reprogrammed by the dealer to run it. If the truck is 09-13 and has the factory 7/4pin wiring harness (at the rear) you have the loom and plug right by the OBDII port. There is a really good write up in the how to section. Took me an hour but I also installed a boost gauge for my ECO being that I had the dash apart.

graysonp

I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker. A 3k lb boat is light enough for the truck to stop it effectively. If you use a TBC, it's going to be set at 1.5-2 and will barely be doing anything on that trailer.

It's a nice feature to have, but until you're towing 5k+ lbs, it's not necessary, IMO.

mbopp

Electric brakes and water don't mix, that's why boat trailers use surge brakes. And surge brakes don't need a controller.
I took the Prodigy out of my previous vehicle and mounted it in the stock location. If I didn't already have it I'd have gone with the integrated Ford unit.

bignfast

Yes....have never seen a boat trailer with electric brakes. Only surge brakes which don't use the controller even if you had one. My boat and trailer weighs a hair under 5000 lbs when fueled up and has surge brakes which work great and I don't have a brake controller.

flixden

The OEM controller is better than aftermarket, but luckily it can be added fairly easily.
Make it part of the deal, they may throw in the labor for the installation, the TBC itself is under $200 if I remember correctly.

EDLEE1945

Simply put, you plug your trailer pin (7) into the plug on your truck. If you have it plugged correctly, it will show up on your info screen, and the lights on the trailer will be on with the truck lights. If all is well, you can set the gain on the brake controller to find out what works for your size trailer. My controller is set at 5 and works great. It really depends on the weight of the trailer I believe. More info in owners manual.

Abn150

I'll pile on to what others are saying.

You don't need the TBC for your boat trailer ...BUT...

The integrated TBC is significantly better than an aftermarket model, and will probably end up wanting/needing one at some point, and while you can buy one and install it yourself, it has to be enabled (flashed) by the dealer.....SO...

I recommend buying one with the truck, make it a part of your deal with the salesman to install and activate the TBC and maybe get a better price as part of the package then if you have to get one later.

lilloco

I ran into a similar situation. Had the tow pkg, but no tbc. Salesman assured me the oem one could be ordered and installed. Bought the truck went to parts and service and they looked at me like I had 2 heads. Can't be added I was told.

I went home searched the interwebs and found the part number. Went back and ordered it and scheduled install. Tech had no idea how to get it to work. Once again I hit the web found the program instructions and took it back, for my trouble the flashed it for free. This was back in 09 by now there is really no excuse.

As long as you have the tow pkg (basically as long as you are pre-wired for the 7pin) the oem controller can be added.

However, to echo everyone else's comments it'll do nothing for your boat. As the name implies surge brakes operate on the momentum of the tow vehicle braking rather than a tbc sending a brake signal. it more than likely connects to the 4pin connector which just controls the lights.