Is there a way to test the integrated brake controller without hooking up to a trailer?

I recently installed it and activated the two settings in forscan in preparation for picking up my new toy hauler as detailed in an earlier thread. I don't want to get there and find out it's not working.

When I manually squeeze the brake levers I do get a 'no trailer detected' pop up on the dash. Does that mean it's working? Can anyone else manually activate their brake controller without a trailer and see if that pops up on theirs as well?

 

I have the integrated brake controller from the factory. When I squeeze the slider, I also get a message that says 'no trailer detected'. So it's a good sign that you're set up right given the behavior is the same without a trailer hooked up. Other than that, you have to hook the trailer up to confirm the brakes on the trailer are activating.

 

Yes. The ITBC is on the lookout for trailer brakes. If you lose them while driving, you get the warning message. Same with trying to test them with no trailer attached, it can see there's nothing there.

To test without a trailer, you need both a 7-way tester, and an adaptor that places enough load on the brake line for 'brakes' to be detected. If I ever get to needing one, I'll pull apart a cheap 7-way tester and wire in a load resistor, but I've already got a number of them.

 

Thanks for confirming. The trailer is new so the brakes should be working ok when I go to pick it up next month.

Do you adjust the gain by trial and error for each trailer when you first hook it up?

 

The new trucks are soft on the IBC compared to an aftermarket one. Mines always on 8-10 and I cannot lock the brakes testing them but they are working and adjusted correctly.
Im sure in an emergency it will do its job, just got used to the aftermarket one I used in my Tundra.

 

After hooking up I put the truck in drive, take foot off the brake and let it go forward while idling. I adjust the setting so that when I squeeze the IBC slider the trailer brakes slowly drag the truck to a stop.

 

Perfect, thanks. So the actual brake and the ibc slider do the same thing. Is there any way to put the trailer in e-brake mode? For parking it, or do you need wheel chocks?

 

Wheel chocks only!

 

Many don't understand that the truck gives more force to the brake controller at higher braking effort and that there are brake effort settings in the menu, depending on your truck's model year.

Your owner's manual explains this.

You need to setup each trailer in the menu.

https://www.f150forum.com/f82/no-tra...ttings-424828/

 

Good info. I'm awaiting my new truck, but my current controller has an inertia device in it, and the harder the truck brakes, the more it senses the internal pendulum (if you will) and applies higher voltage to the electric brakes. Setting them up is a little trail and error, but the manual will give you good starting instructions. Find a large empty parking lot.