The title speaks for itself, lol. I have an 07 F150 that has a factory installed hitch with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors. Looking at the threads here, I see "brake controller" mentioned quite a bit. Now I assume the 7-pin connector already has some kind of trailor brake actuation, but why would someone need a brake controller? When would they need to use it? And how would they know to what load to set it to? Sorry, I'm a newb with towing. I appreciate all the information though!!!

 

Whenever the trailer you're pulling has brakes you should have a controller because you can never have enough stopping power.

Assuming you're refering ot the traditional electric brake controller, the brake controller is the actuator for the trailer brakes. My controller is a time delay. After I'm on the brakes for about one second it applies the trailer brakes to an amount I specified within the controller range. In addition to the brake function the controller will have a manual OH **** switch of some sort. Where you can manually apply full braking power seperate of the truck's own brakes.

Using the trailer's brakes will drastically reduce stopping distance and wear and tear on your truck. With some random numbers applied, stopping 60-0 might take 100' empty truck, and 200' truck and trailer. Using the trailer brake you'll cut that distance down to 150' or less. Let me say this again, you can NEVER have too much in the brake department.

 

That is some great info! Most (if not all F150s) are not equipped with a brake controller like some would see in a super duty where it has an adjustment or slide bar. My truck is an 07 XLT with towing package and I'd like to be able to tow as much as safely allowed if in the event I need to. I know I'll need more than a controller, but it's a start.

You mention your controller is time delayed. Are there others? You also mentioned the brake controller will have a switch of some sort that will engage the brakes fully on the trailor independent of the truck's brakes. Is this feature available on all aftermarket brake controllers? Also, I take it that the 7-pin trailor connector has a means of trailor brake actuation that does not require an in-cab brake controller. So what would be the benefits of having a brake controller in the cab? Am I safe to assume the benefits would be a manual stop of the trailor independent of the truck's braking system, and a greater residual value of braking power over not having a brake controller?

I appreciate you taking the time to view this thread. Since I know very little about this topic and didn't find any threads with less than basic inquiries, I'm trying to know all the basics.

 

You have to think of the brake controller as basically a seperate brake pedal attached to the trailer brakes. No controller means no trailer brakes. Your foot hits the brake pedal in the truck. The brake controller sees that the brakes are being applied and then tells the trailer brakes to go to work. The 7 pin plug is just transmitting the voltage from the brake controller to the trailer brakes, just like the turn signals.

There are other types of controllers that don't have a time delay but the basic function is the same in that they control the trailer brakes. The manual switch is a feature of almost any brake controller.

Take the time and read this article: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...ontrollers.htm it will answer many of your questions.

 

That link helps a lot! Def taught me a lot about it! Everyone says the Prodigy is the best, unless you have a different one. But which type is better? It says the timed delay is harder on the truck's brakes, and the Proportional controller needs to be mounted parallel to travel at all times and may require calibration. What's your opinion?

 

Incorrect. No controller, no trailer brakes. I'm not trying to be a smartass, but get a Prodigy with the specific Ford harness adapter, plug in the relays if they aren't already installed, and you are all set. No need to even consider anything else.

 

Proportional is sooooo much smoother, and by calibration they mean you just adjust the turning wheel until the brakes don't lock up on the trailer. It's easy as pie.

 

Thanks for answering that! Really makes me wonder why Ford never put controllers in F150s until recently. Oh well. Thanks for the info guys!!

 

My guess is cost... A Prodigy can be had for a little over $100 on average... I think someone quoted the price to replace a 'busted' built in one on a Super Duty was over a grand! Lets see.... $100 or $1000???

I think the only reason they are being included now is because of the marketing of it all... They can't really go up much more on the "tow ratings" on even a very capable "1/2 ton truck", so by offering a built in brake controller is something the other's don't have yet..

I've had my Prodigy for over 7 years now and it only ever requires a small adjustment to set it the way I like it if it hasn't been used for awhile. Takes all of 2 seconds...

They don't have to be mounted totally parallel either. I think they can be as far as 70* angle on them. I have mine mounted on the left side where the inside fuse panel door is on the 97-03 F150s.. Works well for me!

Good luck on the rest of your towing knowledge gathering!! you've just scratched the surface!

Mitch

 

so whats the difference of the 4 and 7 pin out of curiousity?

 

Haha! Thanks Mitch! I like hearing you had yours for 7 years, gives me the impression that it's a reliable product. I'll be looking into getting one within the next month, but where it's been shown to be installed in various videos, I have a small Cobra CB radio there so I'll have to find another place to custom mount it. Again, thanks! I figured I just barely scratched the surface. When it comes to the math of towing, I'm pretty good at it. But when it comes to the *automotive* of towing, that's when I encounter the barrier, lol.

 

4 pin only runs trailer lights:
Brown- Running/Marker Lights
Yellow- Left Turn Signal and Left Brake Light
Green- Right Turn Signal and Right Brake Light
White- Ground

7 pin runs all that and reverse lights, electric brakes and auxillery charge line.

There was a 6 pin that was phased out about 1997 that did not include reverse lights. The issue was there were 2 seperate wiring standard for that 6 pin plug. The 7 pin is the industry standard since 1997.

 

The benefit of an OEM brake controller is they can integrate it with the ABS and stability control and even trailer sway control. The cost seems to be about $200-250 as a stand alone option on full sized pickups. Dealer parts price probably is quite a bit more. Besides better performance, they are usually integrated into the dash better than an aftermarket which a lot of people like when they buy higher trim level, $40-60k MSRP pickups.

But i agree, the Prodigy or P3, both my Tekonsha are the best. No reason not to get one of them. They just work so well with so little driver intervention or setup.

 

Thanks alot, that helps. So from what i understand, it "triggers" electric brakes but thats it. Either on or off. A brake controller progressively applies brake force depending on your brake pressure? That would make alot of sense.

Do i have that right?

 

Not quite... If you don't have a brake controller, your electronic trailer brakes aren't receiving a signal.