Hi All,

17 F150 with towing package(not max) so I do not have a brake controller but have anything else.
My 7000# trailer has an electric brake. If I hook up the trailer to my truck with the 7 pin plug, what will happen if I push the brake in my truck? Will the brake in the trailer be triggered too?
I called my dealer and they told me I need a brake control(which I agree but they do not have it and it is back-ordered by 1500 units in NA so they do not know when they can get one for me).
They do not know what will happen if I do not have a brake controller.
I called Ford and they told me to talk to my dealer.

Any idea?

Thanks,

Alex

 

The trailer will push you down the road when you brake. I got my OEM brake controller on ebay from ford dealer like $100 and watch youtube and it is easy to install in factory slot. I did have a dealer flash if for me and it worked great. My trailer brakes could stop my whole truck going down the mountains if you wished. I was pulling close to 8,000#
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You need the brake controller if you want the trailer brakes to work. Not worth the danger or liability. I would do the above suggestion and find one online if available.

 

Your 7,000 pound trailer will push your f150 past
where you want/need to stop.
Going downhill and trying to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, you will not be able to stop safely.
Putting other people and yourself in danger.

Get a brake controller.

 

To answer your question directly, and not tell you the consequences of not having a TBC, nothing will happen. The trailer lights will work like normal. The trailer brakes are power with a different output that the trailer lights. But ya, everyone is correct when they tell you it would more than dumb or reckless to tow a 7k trailer with no working trailer brakes.

 

Try this discount Ford parts dealer. They are the good guys. Call them or just place an order.
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...bC12Ni1nYXM%3D

Simple. Nothing will happen, but without a trailer brake controller your trailer brakes won't work. So you may get an expensive traffic ticket.

Most states require functioning trailer brakes on any trailer with GVWR over an itty bitty bit, Such as a trailer for a lawn mower or row boat or Ski-Doo. So unless your only trailer is itty bitty, get a brake controller.

The Ford OEM trailer brake controller is by far the best available. But you can "get by" with a lessor controller (module). I towed a 5er for 10 years and over 100,000 miles with a DrawTite Activator like this one:
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bra...Tite/5100.html

Works fine after you get it hooked up and set up correctly.

There are three types of trailer brake controllers.
1] Cheap, but effective called "time delay" type, such as the Drawtite Activator.
2] More expensive "proportional" which forces more trailer braking the harder you push on the brake pedal
3] Best is "integrated". which means incorporated into your service braking system, so it's not only proportional but also uses the built-in skid control and other functions of your braking system. The Ford OEM brake controller is integrated.

 

Just to clarify, you would be illegally towing without trailer brakes. If you got into any accident, you'd be cited by the police. And, anyone hurt would sue, and win, because you knew you were without trailer brakes. Plus you left a nice audit trail on the internet, Alex ****...

Get a brake controller. Make sure the dealer is looking up the right part number, that seems way off (1,500 backlog). Should be JL3Z-19H332-AA, which is on the link that Smokeywren posted.

 

Also, a bus load of nuns and children will explode and you will catch COVID-19.

 

If you can't get the OEM Controller to Install and activate get a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 or P3 but get a controller!

 

Thank you all! I am in Canada and I have ordered a controller from Eastgate Ford with FedEx express - hope it comes soon.

I check my fuse box and there is no pin at all in fuse 24 - does it mean I will not be able to install in myself because Ford forgets to pre-wire the brake controller?