Where's the 2026 Trailer Brake Control Plug?

[chasc]

I'm going to be installing the Redarc, and I am near certain this is the trailer brake controller connector, as found on my 2025 XLT with just the basic tow package:

On the far left almost against the firewall. Ordering the Redarc TPH-007 and will report back on my experience.

FWIW that’s kind of where I recall the bare wires for the TBC being on my 2021 5G Ranger.

For those struggling to find the TBC wires in the cab, I’m curious if you’ve checked to see if there are all 7 wires going to the 7-pin connector in the back? If not, then probably a bad sign for finding the harness up front.

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[Scotty B.]

I'm going to be installing the Redarc, and I am near certain this is the trailer brake controller connector, as found on my 2025 XLT with just the basic tow package:

On the far left almost against the firewall. Ordering the Redarc TPH-007 and will report back on my experience.

Thanks for the picture. Unfortunately, there is no plug for the 2026 without the TBC option. I went to a local trailer shop and they hard wired it into the wiring harness. It works great.

 

[artvarck]

Thanks for the picture. Unfortunately, there is no plug for the 2026 without the TBC option.

Really? Ford makes really odd changes year-to-year. So far I know that the ‘26 is different than a ‘25 in these respects that weren’t outlined in the ‘26 build sheet: it has narrower bed rails and doesn’t come with a TBC connector. Makes aftermarket accessory choices especially difficult.
Edit: Just red the thread on how the '26 bed rails are different than the '25 too.

 

[saxdogg]

Thanks for the picture. Unfortunately, there is no plug for the 2026 without the TBC option. I went to a local trailer shop and they hard wired it into the wiring harness. It works great.

Hey Scotty, going through this discovery process as we speak...did you basically hard-confirm there's no plug then for the '26? That's disappointing if so...
I have the two package but no factory TBC, looking to add one without tapping into wires old school....you have a pic of how they installed yours?

 

[artvarck]

If you get the regular tow package it has a TBC in the center screen (in the software) that can be adjusted…

I don’t see reference to this anywhere.

 

[Scotty B.]

Really? Ford makes really odd changes year-to-year. So far I know that the ‘26 is different than a ‘25 in these respects that weren’t outlined in the ‘26 build sheet: it has narrower bed rails and doesn’t come with a TBC connector. Makes aftermarket accessory choices especially difficult.

Agreed. There are decisions being made at Ford that are driven by cost saves without customer consent.

 

[Scotty B.]

Hey Scotty, going through this discovery process as we speak...did you basically hard-confirm there's no plug then for the '26? That's disappointing if so...
I have the two package but no factory TBC, looking to add one without tapping into wires old school....you have a pic of how they installed yours?

Yep, no plug anywhere (disregard small connector shown). I had the dealer and a local trailer shop look at it thoroughly (pulled instrument panel and kick panels off). The trailer shop tapped into the fuse panel under the knee bolster with a two fuse connector (the original fuse and a added fuse for the TBC). They also ran a dedicated wire all of the way back to the 7 pin connector.

 

[saxdogg]

Yep, no plug anywhere (disregard small connector shown). I had the dealer and a local trailer shop look at it thoroughly (pulled instrument panel and kick panels off). The trailer shop tapped into the fuse panel under the knee bolster with a two fuse connector (the original fuse and a added fuse for the TBC). They also ran a dedicated wire all of the way back to the 7 pin connector.

Definitely disappointed! Seems like the cleanest way to do it though (add a tap)....for the wire they ran back, did they just tap it into the 7 wire's brake wire? (Does that question make sense?) Where did they push it through a grommet to the outside?

 

[ryanO]

Agreed. There are decisions being made at Ford that are driven by cost saves without customer consent.

.....as it should be! Its a business. A for profit corporation that SHOULD be doing things to maximize their profit.
No way in hell I'd make it "easy" for a customer to add a TBC. If they want one, they can purchase my truck with one or install the entire system themselves.

 

[SLJ]

If you buy a truck with a "trailer package" you pay for, there should be a connector for an aftermarket brake controller if it's not supplied from the factory. Not providing one when a controller is required for trailers within the stated towing range is just being jerks, especially when previous years already had one in the harness.

 

[ryanO]

If you buy a truck with a "trailer package" you pay for, there should be a connector for an aftermarket brake controller if it's not supplied from the factory. Not providing one when a controller is required for trailers within the stated towing range is just being jerks, especially when previous years already had one in the harness.

I bought a 2025 Ranger knowing I'd be towing, did my research and got the package with the TBC because I'm responsible and not a victim.
I'm just tired of hearing ppl bitch and moan about prices, and trim levels, and gas prices, and blah blah blah. Its like everyone has assumed the victim mentality these days.

 

[saxdogg]

.....as it should be! Its a business. A for profit corporation that SHOULD be doing things to maximize their profit.
No way in hell I'd make it "easy" for a customer to add a TBC. If they want one, they can purchase my truck with one or install the entire system themselves.

You've made it clear you're quite the capitalist . Like someone else said though, if I'm still buying the controller from Ford, they're getting theirs and not having to put it in for me. Seems like a win win.

 

[SLJ]

I bought a 2025 Ranger knowing I'd be towing, did my research and got the package with the TBC because I'm responsible and not a victim.
I'm just tired of hearing ppl bitch and moan about prices, and trim levels, and gas prices, and blah blah blah. Its like everyone has assumed the victim mentality these days.

I bought a '25 Ranger with the tow package without the TBC. I checked first to make sure the harness connector was there before I purchased it. If the '26 doesn't have the connector when customers are paying extra for a tow package it's on Ford. It's bull crap they they removed it when it was on previous models.

 

[ryanO]

I bought a '25 Ranger with the tow package without the TBC. I checked first to make sure the harness connector was there before I purchased it. If the '26 doesn't have the connector when customers are paying extra for a tow package it's on Ford. It's bull crap they they removed it when it was on previous models.

....so anything that changes makes one a victim. Gotcha....

 

[SLJ]

....so anything that changes makes one a victim. Gotcha....

Not me. I checked first. Ford is just being a jerk to their customers.

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