Brake_L8

My truck has the integrated brake controller. I was previously towing with a 2005 Yukon Denali and what was considered a "high end" brake controller - a Tekonsha Prodigy P3. I figured I'd get the ITBC because it's one less thing to hang off my dashboard and looks nicer.

It really, really is much nicer at lower speeds. Everything integrates better than an aftermarket controller and is far smoother than my Prodigy was.

Also, the ITBC integrates with Ford's "trailer sway control" - if the truck senses trailer sway, it will use the ABS on the truck, as well as the trailer brakes, to attempt to reduce the sway. You can, of course, use the manual override to brake the trailer separately if things get out of hand.

I wouldn't buy a truck without the ITBC, now that mine has it.

Jeffreybomb

I was narrowing my searches to trucks that had the stock trailer brake controller. For the hell of it, I searched aftermarket TBCs and found this: .

Is it worth considering this route?

smokeywren

Yes, definitely. You can often save a few bucks if you find a good price online for the ITBC. However, many Ford dealers will match the online price, so since you have to take the truck in to the dealer to have the PCM flashed, ask if they will price-match the online price. Most will, some won't.


The ITBC was optional on F-150s that have the regular tow package but not the max tow package. Be certain the F-150 you consider has the regular tow package, then you can add the ITBC with no problem. The fast indicator of the regular tow pkg is the receiver hitch. If the 2011-up F-150 has the receiver hitch and trailer plug under the rear bumper, then it probably has the regular tow package.

But with that kit, you don't have a functioning trailer brake controller until after you install it, then take the truck to a Ford dealer and have them "flash" the PCM (drivetrain computer) to tell the PCM to recognize the ITBC.

TooManyVehicles

Yes. My new '15 (see signature) had the tow option but not the Integrated Brake Controller. I was going to buy it and install it myself and then have it flashed, but dealer was willing to supply the part, do the install and flash for $240 so I went for having them do it. Yes, I might have saved a little $ doing it myself (given the part is $115 or so online), but nothing like not having to spend quality time messing with this in 10 degree weather....

Jeffreybomb

Well, it seems like when I get one question answered, it leads to two or three more.

What's the difference between the regular tow package and the max tow package?

5.0GN tow

On the 11 to 14 the max tow included an upgraded hitch (12100 rated vs 11000 I think)and bumper, and a few hundred pounds more(4100 rear axle vs 3850) payload than standard tow package. The max also had bigger mirrors and the ITBC standard.

They both have upgraded radiators, auxiliary tranny coolers and 9.75 rear axles on the V8s or ecoboost engines, along with 4/7 pin wiring. I think on the eco both standard and max tow added an engine oil cooler, which was standard on every 5.0 with or without towing package.

My truck is a 5.0 STX 4x4 SCAB with standard tow and added ITBC and works very well with the 3horse GN I tow weekly for 200 to 500 mile trips all show season long (late Feb to November).

smokeywren

5.0GN tow gave you the complete answer. In a nutshell, in a 2011 thru 2014 F-150 the max tow package is the regular tow package plus the tow mirrors, ITBC, and the biggie - 500 pounds more payload capacity for hitch weight.


You can add the tow mirrors and ITBC to an F-150 that doesn't have them, but you cannot add payload capacity. So if you want to tow more than an itty bitty TT without being overloaded, then keep shopping until you find a used 2011 thru 2014 F-150 with at least the max tow pkg, and preferably with the rare HD Payload Pkg. (If the GVWR on the door sticker doesn't say 8,200 GVWR, then the truck doesn't have HD Payload.) 4x4s with max tow but without HD Payload will have GVWR of 7,700.


Without that extra payload capacity, you'll probably wind up like me - overloaded with a small TT that grosses only 4,870 pounds when wet and loaded on the road.

Jeffreybomb

This seems too simple, but I'll ask anyway: is it safe to say that I can identify an F150 with a max tow package just by looking at the side view mirrors?

smokeywren

No, because there is probably others out there like me that R&R the small mirrors with tow mirrors. Very few, but some.


But if it's a 2011 thru 2014 with tow mirrors, there's an excellent chance that it has the max tow pkg. The next step to confirm it has the max tow package would be to check the GVWR on the Federal Certification sticker inside the driver's door. If it's 7,600 for a 4x2 or 7,700 for a 4x4, then it has max tow without HD Payload. If it has 8,200 GVWR, then it has both max tow and HD Payload.


If you find a truck like mine with tow mirrors with GVWR of 7,100 or 7,200 pounds, you know it doesn't have max tow.

mass-hole

Right, I would say that you need to either look at the Door sticker for the increased GVWR(i think it will either be 7650, 7700, or 7750 depending on cab and bed configs). You can also look at the max tongue weight of the trailer hitch, which will be 1150lbs on the max tow trucks vs 1050 on the regular tow trucks. Of course it needs to be a ford factory hitch, an aftermarket hitch will likely say 1200 lbs since they will indiscriminately put whatever the maximum value for a class IV hitch is.

How much will your jeep and trailer weigh? Will you be carrying extra axles and all sorts of gear? I know my boss tows like 12,000 lbs with his rig and all the spare parts and tools. If you think it will be at all heavy, you should really be going ecoboost and max tow package for the power and gearing alone. I would imagine towing an armored up jeep wont be light. That and you will be heading though the mtns if you go to Moab so you will really benefit from the twin turbos in the ecoboost. I know mine barely loses any power at altitude and my driveway is at 6500 ft so I know.