2010 XLT with HDPP, no hitch receiver, no brake controller
 

Hello guys,

This winter I bought a 2010 F-150 XLT 4x4 supercab 8ft with the HDPP (7 lug nuts). It doesn't have a hitch receiver, only a bumper hitch. It has a 4 pin harness beneath the rear bumper.

I would like to install a class IV hitch receiver and a 4/7 pin plug. If I understand correctly I have to install the brake controller and either go to a dealer or active it with scanfor. If I'm lucky underneath the spar tire should be the correct connector to plug in a factory 7 pin harness.

It seems like the brake controller connector is taped beneath the dash close to the OBD2 plug.

There is also a square 4 pin grey connector close to the regular 4 pin trailer plug.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...6a5f0f1ce8.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...addd28d6e5.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...5687db9be6.jpg

An HDPP without a tow package? Oh right HDPP is for payload, not towing. :) Guess your Unicorn proves it. I think you will need a lot more than just the socket and controller as I doubt the wiring will be there for the 7 pin, nor will the towing relay and power panel. You will more than likely need to run your own wiring for it.

A previous owner screwed around with that truck.

2010 F-150 with 7-lug wheels came only as HDPP. And HDPP required the max tow pkg. And Max tow included the receiver hitch and 7-pin trailer plug. Here's the blurb from the 2010 F-150 brochure:


https://www.ford.com/services/assets...-150&year=2010

So somebody either modified the truck to replace the wheel hubs and wheels with HDPP hubs and wheels, or else they removed the receiver hitch and 7-pin trailer plug from the back end of the truck. If your truck has trailer tow mirrors, that a good indication that it has the max tow pkg because that's the only way you could get factory-installed tow mirrors on a 2010 F-150.

I suspect the truck was in an accident that tore up the receiver hitch, and the owner didn't bother to replace the receiver hitch and 7-pin trailer plug.

Not hard to determine if that is an HDPP F-150. Have a Ford dealer's service department input the VIN of the truck into their big computer in the sky and print out a "build sheet" for that truck. The build sheet will tell you if it is a real HDPP truck. If it is a real HDPP truck with 7-lug wheels, then add the receiver hitch that was part of the HDPP package in 2010, and add the harness for the trailer plug that connects near the rear axle of the truck. And apparently they kept (or lost) the integrated trailer brake controller (TBC) the truck came with, so you need to order new one from a discount Ford parts dealer. Then you may need to have your dealer flash the computer to "turn on" the TBC, or it may already be turned on for the original TBC that came with the truck.
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...00bC12OC1mbGV4

When I check the VIN online it tells me that it is a HDPP. I knew that the HDPP required the Max Tow package. I thought it was weird that there was no hitch receiver or brake controller. Maybe it was removed by a previous owner, this truck did not work hard, mostly highway miles.

When it gets warmer outside (quebec) I'll check on the driver's side frame rail where the 4 pin harness plugs. There should be a plug with 7 wires I guess? Tomorrow I'll check the fuse box.

Thanks
Alex

Where are you checking the VIN online? What's your GVWR?

It's worth noting that you are in Canada...The options for the Canadian trucks aren't always the same as the US trucks. For example, the 11-14 in the US tow mirrors were standard with the Max Tow package, but in Canada they were optional.