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Ford trailer brake controller unboxing

jh3113

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The instructions refer to a test light that they use for calibration. Doesn't look like this is included in the kit, anyone know what it might be?

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HPNQ420

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pan-y-cerveza

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Does that unit not have a direct control slider so you can engage the trailer brakes manually without having to engage the vehicle brakes too?
No: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Br...ronco/2021/RED44FR.html?VehicleID=20216004500

(This link is for a controller for a vehicle with no factory tow package. Not for those afraid to run wires.)
Yes and no.

It doesn't have the usual proportinate slide button. But you can push the knob to manually activate the brakes. It will only apply the brakes with the braking power you've set. You can't apply a little or a lot like other controllers.
 
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wrbix

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Any calculus yet on Ford’s markup $ on the RedArc?
 

HPNQ420

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Yes and no.

It doesn't have the usual proportinate slide button. But you can push the knob to manually activate the brakes. It will only apply the brakes with the braking power you've set. You can apply a little or a lot like other controllers.
Nice deal. I'll be retrofitting this a few years from now. Right now I only tow trailers without brakes so am going with @flip's solution when I finally get my truck. I dropped the tow package because I could really use this vehicle sooner than later with my '05 Xterra having over 220k miles.
 

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That's an interesting place to put the brake controller knob... I like it.

1628455479383.png
You need to be able to access the button/control knob while driving. You push in the bottom and that will apply the trailer brake and stop sway.
 

M&M Beer

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I will be getting one thinking about having the dealership install. You need to add it to the BCM to make the additive cruse work the trailer brake.
 

Thed

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You need to be able to access the button/control knob while driving. You push in the bottom and that will apply the trailer brake and stop sway.
I get that, I was just thinking that they'd put it in a more normal spot. Like on the dash on either side of the steering column.
 

2Jeeps&PatriotX1

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The redarc tow pro elite was a 15min install in my wife’s grand cherokee. Towing an offroad trailer both on highway and serious rocky trails on mountain shelf roads, I can say the redarc is much better than my factory f150 brake controller.

1EEEA765-CB22-4DDD-86DE-D804E13C2BC0.jpeg
 

Tilzbow

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What does this do exactly? I got the towing package, should I order one of these?
The vast majority of boat trailers, along with many other trailers use surge brakes and a trailer brake controller isn’t needed or used. My boat and trailer weighs over 6,000#, while I have a friend with a boat and trailer that weighs over 7000# and both trailers use surge brakes.

I’m not 100% certain but I believe most travel trailers use electric brakes.


Many small utility trailers have no brakes.

A trailer brake controller is only needed when a towed trailer has electric brakes.
 
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Lakelife36

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The vast majority of boat trailers, along with many other trailers use surge brakes and a trailer brake controller isn’t needed or used. My boat and trailer weighs over 6,000#, while I have a friend with a boat and trailer that weighs over 7000# and both trailers use surge brakes.

I’m not 100% certain but I believe most travel trailers use electric brakes.


Many small utility trailers have no brakes.

A trailer brake controller is only needed when a towed trailer has electric brakes.
I agree with almost all of this - just remember some heavy boat trailers have (or should have) electric over hydraulic brakes. So that's the same actual hydraulic brakes as surge brakes, but they're actuated by an electric controller for better control than the surge actuator.
 

Tilzbow

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I agree with almost all of this - just remember some heavy boat trailers have (or should have) electric over hydraulic brakes. So that's the same actual hydraulic brakes as surge brakes, but they're actuated by an electric controller for better control than the surge actuator.
Totally true. That said no one is going to be pulling a boat heavy enough to require this type of boat trailer braking system with a Bronco.
 

Lakelife36

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Totally true. That said no one is going to be pulling a boat heavy enough to require this type of boat trailer braking system with a Bronco.
Also totally true.
 

The Pope

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So...... Why did FoMoCo add this feature/option to the Bronco if the Max Tow is to be set at a point where "most" trailers that are within the tow limits don't have electric brakes??????

Asking for a friend who tends to stir the pot...... ;)
 

jd-ford-hd

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My Ford Accessories trailer brake controller arrived Friday. Here are pics of the unboxing. Looks like an easy plug and play installation. Interesting note, the label on the box states "Majority content made in USA" - but the controller module is made in Australia and the wiring harnesses are made in Taiwan.
Great "before" pics.! Please post the "during" and "after" install pics.! :)
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