Adding a Ford Trailer Brake Controller to 2025 Ranger XL with Standard Tow Package

[StuBeef302]

I saw that upper picture in the other thread, It triggered my OCD!
That's some serious dedication in the stinking pit of winter! I don't like tearing out plastic unless it's warm enough to be pliable. I can't believe you didn't find the connector after all that tear down. I doubt it exists then. Looks like it's time to bail on that mission.

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[ShadowDragon24]

I saw that upper picture in the other thread, It triggered my OCD!
That's some serious dedication in the stinking pit of winter! I don't like tearing out plastic unless it's warm enough to be pliable. I can't believe you didn't find the connector after all that tear down. I doubt it exists then. Looks like it's time to bail on that mission.

which is why Ill buy the switch, plate, and connector, and ill make my own harness, as long as the trm already has the canbus lin line, ill snip that wire, and splice the new wire in for the switch, then run my ground, ignition, and marker(the blue tapped wires there, are ignition, high beam, and marker

then its just figgure out forscan

 

[Dave8311]

gotta remove the center console, glove box, steering wheel trim, etc to remove the radio to get at the harness. I did it. I couldn't find it. not saying its not there. but the dash support was in the way of the harness, why I want to see if the trm has the 1 wire going to the dash brake switch, if it does, I think ill just make my own harness. not a whole lot of room for looking unless you take radio out. and you have to take half the truck out. lol

Is it difficult to pull the radio after all that other stuff is removed?

 

[AugPal]

I use a wireless brake controller. It saves a lot of time screwing around and you control it from your phone. I used it when I had my Jeep Grand Cherokee and now with my Ranger

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/51180

It's $289 at Napa Auto Parts
https://www.napaonline.com/accessories/curt-echo-mobile-trailer-brake-controller/27a7ac21

 

[They Call Me Bruce]

I would be concerned about a wireless controller dropping out or lag, do you ever experience the controller loosing connection.

 

[SLJ]

I would be concerned about a wireless controller dropping out or lag, do you ever experience the controller loosing connection.

I used the Curt wireless for three years. Never had a problem with lost connection. If connection is lost to the Curt it stays at it's last adjustment and keeps working anyway.

I installed the Redarc Liberty brake controller on my '25 Ranger. Easy install. Just plugged into the existing harness connector under the dash. Mounted the control in next to the lighting controls.

 

[They Call Me Bruce]

I used the Curt wireless for three years. Never had a problem with lost connection. If connection is lost to the Curt it stays at it's last adjustment and keeps working anyway.

I installed the Redarc Liberty brake controller on my '25 Ranger. Easy install. Just plugged into the existing harness connector under the dash. Mounted the control in next to the lighting controls.

That's fantastic then, what an easy solution.

 

[StuBeef302]

which is why Ill buy the switch, plate, and connector, and ill make my own harness, as long as the trm already has the canbus lin line, ill snip that wire, and splice the new wire in for the switch, then run my ground, ignition, and marker(the blue tapped wires there, are ignition, high beam, and marker

then its just figgure out forscan

I think figuring out FORScan is the easy part of what you just described.
I'm sure you know this because of the quality of information in your posts, but, I'm pretty sure you would just enable these three in the IPC Module.

 

[AugPal]

I would be concerned about a wireless controller dropping out or lag, do you ever experience the controller loosing connection.

I have never had a problem with the connection dropping. Their app says running on your phone until you disconnect the plugin device from your truck.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

I use a wireless brake controller. It saves a lot of time screwing around and you control it from your phone. I used it when I had my Jeep Grand Cherokee and now with my Ranger

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/51180

It's $289 at Napa Auto Parts
https://www.napaonline.com/accessories/curt-echo-mobile-trailer-brake-controller/27a7ac21

I have a hopkins in. the echo bluetooth controller needs your phone to use. and if you dont get the extra trailer spike brake switch, you have to have your ohone screen unlocked and app open to use the trailer brakes without using the vehicles. I rather the intragrated. in the mean time my aftermarket services its purpose

 

[Jason B]

@ShadowDragon24 I just checked FORScan and it shows I also have the Trailer Brake Module "Present" I'll dig into my dash tomorrow or Monday to peek around.

Don't we all have a TRM? I don't have any tow package, but I still got a recall for the TRM.
Plus, I can check trailer lights using Ford app, which I assume uses the TRM.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Is it difficult to pull the radio after all that other stuff is removed?

nope, not at all. I have the factory service manual on it. to pull the radio, you have to let go the center console, the glove box, and the driver side dash, and trim piece above. then a couple bolts. I took the time then to run my power cable for my charger to be behind the radio

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Don't we all have a TRM? I don't have any tow package, but I still got a recall for the TRM.
Plus, I can check trailer lights using Ford app, which I assume uses the TRM.

fords package. is all truck have the tow package.

•the level 1 tow package, aka no tow package, gets you the bumper hole for the ball, the saftey chain hooks and 4 pin wiring up under the truck.

• the "tow package" is lvl 2, gets you reciver and 7/4pin plug.

•and lvl 3 tow package is with factory trailer brake controller.

 

[Jason B]

fords package. is all truck have the tow package.

•the level 1 tow package, aka no tow package, gets you the bumper hole for the ball, the saftey chain hooks and 4 pin wiring up under the truck.

• the "tow package" is lvl 2, gets you reciver and 7/4pin plug.

•and lvl 3 tow package is with factory trailer brake controller.

You are right. I have the 4-pin connector and added my own receiver from Draw Tite.
At this point, I don't think I need a 7-pin and TBC, but that can change after retirement.

 

[Dave8311]

If someone has a factory installed brake controller and pulled the dash apart maybe they can find where the harness runs, make it easier to find in our non controller trucks.

Could one make a harness and plug it into the module and the controller and test to see if we need to change the module?

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