Tow Package: difference between factory -installed and dealer-installed?

[PhillySpecial18]

I also deleted the towing and navigation from my order. Order went in and accepted 10/11/22. Ford scheduled my build for the week of 01/09/23. My dealer told me they would install towing with 4 pin connector only for the $595. Only problem I have doing install myself is wiring. I can get parts cheaper but that dam wiring scares me to death!

That’s not a bad deal! Isn’t factory tow package now $595 or so? I know that’s 7 pin I think versus your 4 pin but with parts and labor I don’t think that’s too bad for the hitch and 4 pin wiring right? I mean, you just need it for small trailer pulling I assume?

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[PhillySpecial18]

Some states (like mine) require a brake controller at only 1,500# which is not that "heavy"

California? LOL

 

[PhillySpecial18]

The big question is what do you need? Just brake, turn, park lights or trailer brake functionality?

I’ll ordered on 3/27 and left tow package off my build even thought I wanted it because I want my bronco to not be delayed by having tow. I am realizing this is good I did this if all I need a tow for is small trailers because I’ll just need lights and not the brake controller. So a dealer installed 4 pin is all I need right?

 

[PhillySpecial18]

Surge Breaks satisfy all states requirements. And need no electronics. We keep getting tunnel vision on the 7 pin and brake controller (which there is a thread on here to make work aftermarket).

But for 100% of BRONCO towable trailers, surge breaks are safe, legal and simple. I’d say 95% of cases a bronco could tow brakes are unnecessary. (If you have any experience and willing to stay 5 under the speed limit).

Maybe a dumb question but what are surge brakes?

 

[da_jokker]

Maybe a dumb question but what are surge brakes?

Electric brakes apply the brakes when the rig applies the brakes (or you manually use the brake controller)

Surge brakes have basically a brake pedal built into the receiving hitch. So as the rig slows down, the tow ball presses on the "brake pedal" of the trailer. The more force you slow down with, the harder it presses the trailer brakes.

Problem with this, is reverse sucks and It doesn't work very good going down steep hills like when off-roading.


There are wireless brake controllers you can mount to the actual trailer tounge that will provide a decent alternative to attaching a seven-wire trailer, to a four wire rig.

 

[flip]

I’ll ordered on 3/27 and left tow package off my build even thought I wanted it because I want my bronco to not be delayed by having tow. I am realizing this is good I did this if all I need a tow for is small trailers because I’ll just need lights and not the brake controller. So a dealer installed 4 pin is all I need right?

Correct.

 

[mikkibtune]

Yeah, but even when I drove and towed with an F-250, none of the trailers I pulled had brakes.

Small boat trailer - 4-pin
Small (2 horse) horse trailer - 4-pin
Car dolly with an F-150 on it - 4-pin.
Car trailer with a Mustang on it - 4-pin
12-ft cargo trailer - 4-pin

If I am towing something heavy enough to need brakes like a 4-horse trailer or one of those really big ski boats they run on the reservoirs, I'd feel a lot better with an F-250 than a 150. But I have never actually owned a trailer heavy enough to have brakes.

I mean ... 4 horse trailer, with 4 horses with that potential for sway and movement, might as well go duallys and diesel for all that low end torque and heavier duty transmission and coolers etc as well as the heavier duty electrical etc. And if you can afford that many horses.... lol... might as well go King Ranch...

 

[AZ_Liberty]

And if you can afford that many horses....

Nothing quite as expensive as that "free horse" someone gave the wife...

 

[CrazyPete]

What we tow our gooseneck 4 place horse trailer with...lol

 

[mbagne]

I find this is much easier than towing . . .

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