Where's the 2026 Trailer Brake Control Plug?

[Scotty B.]

Hi Everone,

I just bought a 2026 Ford Ranger Crew Cab FX4 Lariat V6 with a tow package, but it does not have the integrated TBC (Trailer Brake Control). I told the dealer I probably didn't need the integrated TCB as I should be able to easily install the after market Curt Triflex I had from my previous 2021 Ranger. I told the dealer I needed a TBC because I was pulling a large trailer.

When I looked under the instrument panel I couldn't find any TCB connections like I saw in another thread for a 2024 Ranger (attached to the main wiring harness bundle just above the left kick panel). Does anyone know where that little TBC connector is hiding?

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[NM Mike]

I’m not positive on the lariat package, but on the XLT, the harness connector isn’t there unless you got the advanced tow package, which also gets you the integrated trailer brake controller.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Hi Everone,

I just bought a 2026 Ford Ranger Crew Cab FX4 Lariat V6 with a tow package, but it does not have the integrated TBC (Trailer Brake Control). I told the dealer I probably didn't need the integrated TCB as I should be able to easily install the after market Curt Triflex I had from my previous 2021 Ranger. I told the dealer I needed a TBC because I was pulling a large trailer.

When I looked under the instrument panel I couldn't find any TCB connections like I saw in another thread for a 2024 Ranger (attached to the main wiring harness bundle just above the left kick panel). Does anyone know where that little TBC connector is hiding?

Mine was burried behind the wiring harness/insulation on my 25 xlt.

I’m not positive on the lariat package, but on the XLT, the harness connector isn’t there unless you got the advanced tow package, which also gets you the integrated trailer brake controller.

They are talking about the grey plug in the top right of my picture

 

[Scotty B.]

Mine was burried behind the wiring harness/insulation on my 25 xlt.


They are talking about the grey plug in the top right of my picture

Thanks Tyler for the picture, I'll take another look under the insulation. What brand and model TBC are you using? Did you have any software issues with your truck's computer when you hooked it up? I heard some people say they were getting error codes?

 

[Scotty B.]

Thanks Tyler for the picture, I'll take another look under the insulation. What brand and model TBC are you using? Did you have any software issues with your truck's computer when you hooked it up? I heard some people say they were getting error codes?

FYI...I looked around the insulation where the main harness comes through the floor and didn't see anything. So I took my truck to a trailer shop and they said they couldn't find a connector either, but they said they could hardwire my Curt Triflex TBC into the harness behind the left kick panel for the power wire and the ground. The brake wire could be attached at the fuse box under the steering column and they would run a separate wire for the electric brakes back to the 7 pin wiring receptacle

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[Dave8311]

I find it hard to believe Ford doesn't include that brake controller plug in the 26's, but anything is possible.

 

[Scotty B.]

I find it hard to believe Ford doesn't include that brake controller plug in the 26's, but anything is possible.

It's a mystery!

 

[Scotty B.]

FYI...I took my Ranger into the dealership service center last Thursday and the accessories tech came down and he said he pulled off a bunch of trim panels around the steering column to see if he could find the connector. He said he couldn't find one and that the schematics he had didn't reveal the connector location. I also got a reply from Robin at etrailer who said "There will be four wires coming out of a large wire harness by the driver side firewall, left of the brake pedal, which can be wired to the brake controller wires. The port will be in the same location." I did find a couple of wires around that area, but not all four. Maybe they're taped up? Don't know. I'll have to look when I get it back from the dealer.

 

[ryanO]

I find it hard to believe Ford doesn't include that brake controller plug in the 26's, but anything is possible.

I'm not sure why they would. If one doesn't order the Advanced Tow Package with the brake controller, it's absurd to think Ford would make it easy to add it in.
No way I'd make that decision, either pay for it as a package or it'll be exceptionally hard to add it in yourself.

 

[Scotty B.]

I'm not sure why they would. If one doesn't order the Advanced Tow Package with the brake controller, it's absurd to think Ford would make it easy to add it in.
No way I'd make that decision, either pay for it as a package or it'll be exceptionally hard to add it in yourself.

There are a lot of facets to this story. For one; Unless you are intimately familiar with every possible available option and nuance on these vehicles, you may not even be aware that there was an integrated TBC option. Especially if you didn't order a new vehicle from the factory and instead you're buying one from a dealership lot and they only have two vehicles to choose from (both without integrated TBC).

Secondly, the vehicle came with a tow package. The last vehicle I had with a tow package came with a wiring harness to plug into.

Third; Unless you're pulling a small utility trailer, who doesn't want a TBC on there vehicle? Remember, the Ranger can pull up to 7,500lbs. That's a lot of weight to pull around without electric trailer brakes.

I suspect Ford saw the absence of a trailer brake controller as a future opportunity to add one as an expensive accessory knowing that the consumer would be asking for them. Kinda cheap on Ford's part. If they did provide a connector or some pigtails, they didn't pass that info along to the dealerships yet because nobody there seems to have a clue.

 

[ryanO]

There are a lot of facets to this story. For one; Unless you are intimately familiar with every possible available option and nuance on these vehicles, you may not even be aware that there was an integrated TBC option. Especially if you didn't order a new vehicle from the factory and instead you're buying one from a dealership lot and they only have two vehicles to choose from (both without integrated TBC).

Secondly, the vehicle came with a tow package. The last vehicle I had with a tow package came with a wiring harness to plug into.

Third; Unless you're pulling a small utility trailer, who doesn't want a TBC on there vehicle? Remember, the Ranger can pull up to 7,500lbs. That's a lot of weight to pull around without electric trailer brakes.

I suspect Ford saw the absence of a trailer brake controller as a future opportunity to add one as an expensive accessory knowing that the consumer would be asking for them. Kinda cheap on Ford's part. If they did provide a connector or some pigtails, they didn't pass that info along to the dealerships yet because nobody there seems to have a clue.

My 2025 Ranger XLT has the physical TBC. I got a Ranger with the Advanced Tow Package so it would have one. If you get the regular tow package it has a TBC in the center screen (in the software) that can be adjusted, its just not easy to grab the trailer brakes in the event of an emergency life the physical TBC.

 

[natethegreat42]

There are a lot of facets to this story. For one; Unless you are intimately familiar with every possible available option and nuance on these vehicles, you may not even be aware that there was an integrated TBC option. Especially if you didn't order a new vehicle from the factory and instead you're buying one from a dealership lot and they only have two vehicles to choose from (both without integrated TBC).

Secondly, the vehicle came with a tow package. The last vehicle I had with a tow package came with a wiring harness to plug into.

Third; Unless you're pulling a small utility trailer, who doesn't want a TBC on there vehicle? Remember, the Ranger can pull up to 7,500lbs. That's a lot of weight to pull around without electric trailer brakes.

I suspect Ford saw the absence of a trailer brake controller as a future opportunity to add one as an expensive accessory knowing that the consumer would be asking for them. Kinda cheap on Ford's part. If they did provide a connector or some pigtails, they didn't pass that info along to the dealerships yet because nobody there seems to have a clue.

Just wanted to chime in here - for what it’s worth the salesman at the dealer I ordered and purchased from knew this quirk back in 2024 when I was putting a preview together for my 2025 XLT. We specifically had a conversation about what the advanced tow package was worth, and he told me that the standard package didn’t have an electronic trailer brake controller. I had come into the shop thinking I could get away without buying the advanced tow package, and was quickly corrected. So, Ford definitely has made a mention of this in some way. However, as I have learned on here, dealers can be a mixed bag.
Sucks that there isn’t an easy way around this, I wish you luck.

 

[Scotty B.]

Just wanted to chime in here - for what it’s worth the salesman at the dealer I ordered and purchased from knew this quirk back in 2024 when I was putting a preview together for my 2025 XLT. We specifically had a conversation about what the advanced tow package was worth, and he told me that the standard package didn’t have an electronic trailer brake controller. I had come into the shop thinking I could get away without buying the advanced tow package, and was quickly corrected. So, Ford definitely has made a mention of this in some way. However, as I have learned on here, dealers can be a mixed bag.
Sucks that there isn’t an easy way around this, I wish you luck.

I think Ford is out of touch with its customer base. They need to be more sensitive to the needs of the little guy. Not everyone who buys a Ford product spends hours researching the minutia of the product. Especially those of us who just buy a vehicle off of the lot.

 

[SLJ]

On the '25 with the tow package there is a plug for an after market brake controller. I installed the Redarc Liberty brake controller. It was plug and play with the harness for the G6 Ranger. The port is on the left side tucked against the outside wall behind the bundle of wires. Mine had an empty shell plugged into it most likely for protection. Look for this plug:

I installed the Redarc control on the right side of the lighting controls. There's an empty spot after you clear out some plastic with a hot knife.

You need Redarc Harness # TPH-007.

 

[hand-filer]

I think Ford is out of touch with its customer base. They need to be more sensitive to the needs of the little guy. Not everyone who buys a Ford product spends hours researching the minutia of the product. Especially those of us who just buy a vehicle off of the lot.

I spent weeks researching before ordering. It's a big ticket purchase and I wanted to get it right without regrets.

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