Have a 2011 f150 XLT 5.0 with standard towing package. It has the round plug and square plug at back to plug in regular trailer and the round ones for trailers with brakes and other electrical components I assume.

I hooked up a big trailer yesterday and plugged it in. Went into the trailer settings and simply programmed the name of that trailer in. But I couldn't find setting to adjust the trailer brake sensitivity. Since my truck doesn't have the actual trailer brake controller **** on the dash, does that mean that the trailer brakes aren't going to work at all? Or does it mean that I just can't adjust the sensitivity?

If not, what are my options?

 

If the trailer has electric brakes you won't have any until you install a brake controller.

 

Yep^^^

 

Installing a ford OEM controller is easy. It's literally plug and play. Pain is taking apart dash a bit but after watching a few videos on YouTube it's no biggie. Then you must have dealer "activate" it. I got an OEM controller off eBay from a ford dealer for $150. Installed it myself. Dealer activated it for $30. If you have dealer install it for you you'll pay a couple hundred.

 

All above is correct. You can buy an after market controller and install it yourself and avoid the dealer activation charge, but the Ford integrated trailer brake controller is much better and worth the money.

Some dealers will activate it for free, some will charge an hour's labor, you can shop around.

If you look at the towing forum, there are several good threads there with video and pictures on how to install the TBC.

 

If *I* can do it, *I* you can do it. What they said -- got one off the internet, installed it myself, and had the dealer activate it. Worked like a charm.

The hardest part for me was discovering exactly what model trailer brake I needed. The second hardest was realizing that I had to pull some sort of adapter off the back of the stupid thing for the plug to fit. (D'oh!) Went together perfectly after I got my dumbass award for the day.

 

I've used plenty of aftermarket controllers in the past, the integrated ford one is by far the best I've used.

If you're going to install a controller I highly recommend the ford oem one.

 

Ditto, I just bought a 2014 F150 with tow package, I had assumed that the TBC would be included…Anyways after talking with the dealer the part I needed was 260.00 but they gave it to me free (a nice touch) after just buying a truck 2 days earlier. I installed it myself at the dealer to save on labor and they reflashed the ecu and it is an excellent option to have.. Stay OEM and do it yourself, its easy. Also, there are several videos on youtube on doing the job…too easy.

 

I was using the wireless one from Tekonsha because I didn't have the factory tow package. I had to run blue and orange wires to the back of the truck because for some reason Ford skimped on the 15 or so feet of wiring from the plug on the front fender to the rear fender. Took some convincing of the dealer to flash it but the quality over an aftermarket item is vastly improved. I couldn't be happier with the OEM unit. One of the best inexpensive add-ons I've ever done.

Tasca price for mine was ~$160 w/ free shipping.

 

The OEM is the best. I had to do a hard stop - standing on it from 50 mph - and it stopped great. The antilock kicked in and the trailer never skidded an inch. I don't know how they did it, but it brings the rig to a nice, straight stop.