Hey guys,
I have this friend who has a 2005 F250 Super Duty. When he purchased it, He did not intent to tow "large" trailers with it, and did not get the TowCommand brake controller. Now he wants to buy a big boat that has a "large" trailer with brakes.
He asked me to help him find a brake controller for him. He wants to go with the OEM brake controller because of the finished look of the controller. I called the local (read Hawaii...for what it's worth) Ford dealerships and they all told me to check the accesory website and that if it's not there, it's not available.
My question is, Does anyone know where I could get one? Is it just as simple to install as the aftermarket brake controllers?

Thanks,
Alan

 

No idea on ordering one or installing one after the fact.....

As far as aftermarket brake controllers go, if you get the Prodigy and order the Ford wire harness for it all you have to do is mount it and plug it in. Then just set the volts and boost per the instructions and tow.....

Now, boat trailers "usually" have surge brakes which is all done at the coupler. No electric controller needed...... I think they are now making electric brakes for boat trailers these days so that's gotta be determined before you spend a ton of money on either the 'tow command' setup or even a $100 Prodigy......

Good luck!

Mitch

 

I've been through this...so come along.......

First the master cylinder needs to be changed. It has a pressure switch for the braking system. Then there is a wire harness for the controller, the controller and some fuses and relays. All totalling about $1200.00. Not including labor.
** Prices quoted by Phil Long Ford, Colorado**

Is this what he really wants?? An after-market Prodigy uses an inertia sensor and almost does the same thing for about $100.00. Oh yeah, Ford is also having intermittent problems with their controller.

The two customers that have requested this of me also made the choice to go after-market rather than try and update.

If you must update...go back to Ford and get a dealer to install it all so it is covered under their warranty. If someone other than them install it, and it goes south...it's not their fault.

The wire harness for an after-market brake controller is pre-wired just like all other Ford trucks.

 

Thaks for the replies.
He just bought the truck about 1-2 months ago.
I'll tell him about taking it in for the install.
If he doesn't, I'll install the Prodigy.
His truck is already setup (relays plugged in...etc) for the controller.
I know it will be a snap.

Thanks Again!!!
Alan

 

You might want to check out the BrakeSmart controller. It can be installed to look pretty much like it came from the factory. It also uses true proportonal braking based on the tow vehicles braking force and not an accelerometer or timer. BrakeSmart site. It has several other neat functions also. I think it's worth considering.

 

Prodigy is the way to go!

I got mine from Camping World on sale for $75. 10 minute installation. Awsome performance. The proportional braking is the best thing since sliced bread. Even in reverse!!!!!

If you ordered a tow package with the vehicle you are already pre-wired and Ford should have supplied the correct adaptor cable. Just plug the prodgy into that and tow.

If you do not have the cable they are about $10.

If you set your controller correctly (easy instructions) you will hardly feel the tow load.

By the way, the prodigy is designed to be portable from vehicle to vehicle if you have more than 1 tow unit. Just order an additional dash mount 'holder' for each vehicle. Then just unplug from one vehicle and plug the controller unit into the next.

Hope that helps. Ken

 

Mind elaborating or linking for info?

Thanks.

 

Get the Brake Smart controller. 1/4 the price of the factory unit and does the same thing. I don't have any experience with the factory unit but the Brake Smart unit has a lot additional features that I bet the factory unit doesn't.

Get the Brake Smart. It was REALLY easy to install. 1.5 hours.

 

I did find this while looking for related problems for the Towcommand brake controller

Found at http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/60bulletin.htm

 

F.L.U.F.----I work with trailers and towing and brake controllers for a living. I see just about everything. A company we work with sells 400-500 Super Duty's a year. About 3 of a hundred experience trailer brake failure under moderate braking. They think...that it is the brake pressure actuator in the controller, but are not reponding incorrectly while testing. Ford is not addressing the issue that I know of calling it funtioning correctly while testing.

branchot--- Ford is not supplying the wire harness that goes to an after-market brake controller any more in the '05 and newer SD's. They say that if you wanted to haul you should have purchased the brake controller. They are still available....just don't come with.

mitchman---according to brakesmart they are not taking orders at this time. The old assembler is not making them any more and they are ramping up with a new manufacturer to make them ISO certified.

 

Just the controller shuts down or what? Are you referring to the pressure switch on the MC? According to this article the controller was a joint engineering project with Tekonsha so hopefully they will resolve the issue and make the controller compatible with E/H brake systems. I have read that some people have tried wiring a magnet into the brake circuit and gotten the controller to work with E/H and some that have not, what has your experience been? Also what are your thoughts on the controller when it is working correctly? I hope it doesn't sound like I'm doubting your knowledge because I'm not, just doing a little research before plopping down for a $50K loan.

You're refering just to the controller pig tail right?

 

FLUF

My 2004 F150 XLT with a tow package came with a generic controller pigtail that plugs in under the dash. The other end is just loose wires.

The Prodigy came with a pigtail connector that plugs into the back of the Prodigy. The other end of that pigtail is just loose wires.

I just matched up the loose wires from the Ford pigtail to the Prodigy pigtail and used connectors and tape to finish it off.

If your Ford did not come with a pigtail - Prodigy sells the complete pigtail matched to whatever make your vehicle is. That would be a continuous connection (no splices) from under dash recepticle to the back of the Prodigy.

Ken

 

F.L.U.F.---"Just the controller shuts down or what?"

It won't apply enough brakes to help stop. If you slam on the brakes it works. If you are lightly braking it works. Just like you're pulling up to a light or a stop sign and poof...they aren't working. When you realize it and start to apply more brakes, hoping the truck brakes will do, they work again as more truck braking is applied. Of course the 1st question is "did you set the controller for the apropriate load?" and the answer is always yes. These are boys who tow daily. Not the weekend toy tow-ers that don't rememeber to set the controllers.

"You're refering just to the controller pig tail right?"
Yes, sorry, I should have clarified.

As far a plopping down $50K.....tough call. Ford definately has it together better than anybody for F250 through F550SD.
Brake controller....your call. You could always get it with, and if it fails, use an aftermarket. I'd be more worried about the 6.0 liter and the amount of complaints of a slow wind up before moving. There has been quite a few that take over a full second or two after you push down the accelerator before they even start to move, with no load or trailer. This can be dangerous if you are not expecting it. Imagine you are at a busy intersection. You think you can make it, but the truck doesn't move for 2 seconds. Now that traffic is much closer than when you decided to start moving.

Can you wait 6 months or so.....let Ford fix all the bugs??
That's what I would do.

I'd still buy a new one over any Dodge or Chevy, even now.

 

Ok. It will be longer than 6 months before I consider it, it just helps to start doing research before hand. Now with speculation that Ford is coming out with a 6.4L TT PSD in 2007 will be something else to consider. I sort of wish that Ford would dump the Navistar and go with a Cummins but that is neither here nor there.

 

Oh, you mentioned the "C" word!
Shame on you.

Remeber that Cummins retired and with it went his upgrades because of patents. Dodge has been struggling trying to keep that old tired dog current by little add ons. It was state of the art in 1986, but is now just a boat anchor. Yeah, tell your Dodge buddies that!

As far as the 6.4, remember Ford won the military contract to replace the Hummer. They will be installing the 7.3....yes the old proven 7.3 in a Super Crew config.

I would expect it to make a huge return. Remeber in '99 when that diesel had power. So much power that is was blowing up the manual transmission. Blowing up the tranny! So, each consecutive year they de-tuned it until the 6.0 came out and they both had the same Hp and Torque. What a load of BS. Now they say, which motor would you rather have....they both have the same power....and away goes the 7.3.

Now, Ford knowing this is a reliable and strong motor offers it as the military contact motor...well with a few mods to be able to run on almost any fuel, from jet fuel, gas, diesel or kerosene. Dodge and the Cummins didn't even make it to final selection...it was Ford and GM.

Remeber Ford owned Cummins...realized they had nothing new and sold it.