First off, I'm new to this site... "HI!". I found it while trying to search for vehicle specs for the new Supercrew I just bought a week and a half ago----> luvin it so far, and it's quite a step up from a Cherokee.
Anyway, I have the 5.4L 4x2 with the Class III tow package on it. I will be towing a large size pop-up camper with it that is equipped with electric trailer brakes. On my Cherokee, I had to add an electric brake controller to the vehicle (the kind that mounts under the dash).......the question is, with the tow package from the factory, will the Screw automatically control my electric trailer brakes or do I need to add on another electric brake controller to control from inside the cab?

Thanks for any help you can give me

 

Welcome aboard! You came to the right place, you'll find a wealth of knowledge here.

Under the dash there is a plug for your controller. There should have been an adaptor in the glove box - one end plugs right into it, the other end you tie into your brake controller. Very quick and simple. Check the towing section also, lots of good info and I believe some pictures too....

I can't believe it, I beat RP to the thread

 

Oh and another thing - should be a couple of relays that go under the hood in the engine compartment.....

 

congrats on your truck

 

Yep, still need that brake controller. Without it means you are not using the trailer brakes at all. As JD said, there should be a harness in the glovebox to connect the controller above the accelerator pedal.


If you need another controller, www.rjays.com has great prices.

 

If you still have the Cherokee you can use the same brake controller.

If you have to buy a new one the best on the market is the Tekonsha Prodigy. The best price is at www.rvwholesalers.com

This is an easy do it yourself job. There is a wire harness that came with your truck and two relays. Follow the instructions for the relays and Follow the instructions and the brake controller instructions for wiring the brake controller to the pigtail harness that came with your truck.

 

Thanks everyone for you help on this matter. I do remember seeing a plastic bag with some wiring stuff in it that I didn't know what it was for. Good thing I kept it. I still have the Cherokee, but I think I'll keep the controller in that one and just buy a new one.......just in case I need a second tow vehicle.

On another not......where do I go to put a picture of the truck into my "signature"?

 

Thanks everyone for you help on this matter. I do remember seeing a plastic bag with some wiring stuff in it that I didn't know what it was for. Good thing I kept it. I still have the Cherokee, but I think I'll keep the controller in that one and just buy a new one.......just in case I need a second tow vehicle.

On another not......where do I go to put a picture of the truck into my "signature"?

 

This link has a pic of a controller and the wiring harness that should have been in the glove box - you'll see the controller under the dash, the plug-in is to the right underneath...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=120331

 

If not, you can create one here at F150online.

1. On the top you'll see usercp button, click there.

2. Choose edit profile.

3. In the Signature box add the location of the picture in between the image tags

Starts with [img]
I right clicked on my pic to get this address in the properties box:

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...1863-thumb.jpg


ends with [/img]


4. Click save modifications.

When posting a message or replying, the Show Signature box must be checked for it to show up

 

Maybe I'm missing something here, but how much does your pop-up trailer weigh? The ones I've seen are really light (i.e. < 3000 lbs.). In Florida, brakes are only required on trailers over 3000 lbs, so I've hauled a lot of trailers (with no brake assist) with no problems that were around that weight. I guess my question boils down to, do you really even need trailer brakes on your pop-up given it's weight?

Just curious.

-Mike-

 

Yes, you do need them.

Most pop ups come with them these days as standard so you might as well use them wether or not it is below the legal limit in your state.

I had a Pop up to begin with (2200lbs), towed it with my 99 F150. You could tell a big difference when the brakes were not hooked up.

I tow a 5700 lb (when loaded) travel trailer now and have been using the same brake controller. The nice thing is that once you have the Ford plug soildered to it, you can switch it between ford vehicles. I have a screw and my wife has an expy.

 

I see your point about the necessity of the brakes on a pop-up. It is one of Coleman's larger models - the Westlake model. I checked the website (Coleman Westlake model) and it does only weigh about 2500lbs. empty. Probably close to 3000 with all my junk. It comes standard with the trailer brakes. With my Cherokee, they were a big necessity because of the vehicle-to-trailer weight ratio. But with the truck, I'm sure it won't be as big of a problem. I'm going to get my camper out of storage next weekend and will be towing it about 3 hours to an elevation of about 4,500 feet the following weekend. I probably won't have a brake controller installed by then, so I'll let you know how it goes. I don't anticipate any problems considering the 4-wheel disc brakes on the truck and the fact that those brakes are way bigger than the ones on my Cherokee. Although the return trip coming back down from 4,500 feet is a little more concern.

 

How's this????

 

At 5700 lbs, you get no argument out of me on the necessity of trailer brakes. But at 2500 lbs like he noted was the weight of his pop-up trailer, I don't understand why the manufacturer wouldn't just go with a set of surge brakes. Lot cheaper and completely eliminates the issue of a brake controller. It's also cheaper for them install. Guess that's why I don't build trailers for a living.

-Mike-