13Xtr

I'm looking to purchase a 27' TT. I ased the salesperson if I needed a traileron brake controller installed, and they said no, the truck is already wired to control the trailer brakes. If this is the case, then why are trailer brake controllers even sold? The TT has a gvw of 7500 lbs. Thanks, and sorry if this was addressed somewhere else already.

acdii

The late model F150's have a built in TBC, and/or wiring already in place to install one. Older trucks, cars, SUV's though dont have built in TBC, some are prewired to the 7 pin in the rear, some aren't. Those that are, you can buy a harness that adapts any brake controller to the vehicles harness.

You do need a brake controller, but not knowing what your truck is, can't say which one will work. If a newer 13? and up you can get an ITBC from the dealer and have them install and activate it, install it yourself and have them activate it, or install and activate it yourself with Forscan software.

If it is an older truck, there will be a harness under the dash to directly plug in any aftermarket controller. I had a 99 F350 that had a harness under the dash, but can't say how far back trucks or what makes models had one.

13Xtr

Thanks. My truck is a 2013 XLT XTR. I'll call Ford tomorrow for an ITBC quote.

acdii

IIRC I had a 2012 that had an ITBC, but can't say for sure. I don't know exactly when Ford started putting them in.

Ricktwuhk

Before going further, reflect on the incorrect information they already gave you. Time to check your payload sticker and see what the max trailer is that your truck can handle. 7,500 may be beyond your capacity. Dozens of threads you can read describing the calculations.

13Xtr

According to the formula I found here, I will be fine. My payload is 1380. I weigh 220, wife and dog 200.
1380-440-100 Wdh/.13= 7000lbs. Trailer weighs 5300 lbs empty, and we will limit what goes in it or in the payload. Did I do the formula correctly?

11screw50

So you have NOTHING else in the truck, have added nothing to the truck and plan on having nothing in the bed of the truck?

Also, 1380-440-100=840, 840/.13=6461lb. (That ignoring the fact that you probably meant 420 not 440 based on the information you provided. Even if you had used 420 though you are still well under 7,000lb.) So while in theory you applied the correct formula, you botched the math.

13Xtr

You are correct...I botched the math!

Ricktwuhk

Again, keep in mind that most trailer dealers won't do this work. They tell you you're fine without a brake controller because it's "built in", and probably told you that 7,500 pounds was ok.

You have now found that 6,461 is the limit loaded. That allows you 1,161 pounds of water, batteries, propane, and stuff. Sounds like a lot, but many times people exceed that with stuff.

Many say that they want a cushion of X% to safely tow also.

And remember that ANYTHING you add to the truck - bedliner, bedrug, cooler, bedmat - comes off the payload number, which dramatically affects the trailer maximum weight, to a factor of 7.69 times. In other words, when you divide by .13, every pound of weight you put in the truck removes 7.69 pounds from your max trailer capacity. In other words, 100 pounds in the truck results in 769 pounds less trailer. So, when the wife asks you if you want another piece of pie, say no.

And, your hitch weight can never exceed the number on its label (lay down and look up).

Too many buy one or both (truck / trailer) without doing their homework. Good thing you did before buying the trailer.

truckalter

iTrader: (6)

In my experience doing this every day... many trailer dealers will tell you whatever they need to get you out the door with the trailer... I have had trailer dealers make very unrealistic recommendations to customers...