Why no trailer brake controller?

[Bagman51]

Just picked up a 24 XLT Sport with the OPTIONAL factory tow package. I noticed there is no factory TBC installed. I saw an FX4 XLT THAT HAS THE TBC to the right of the ignition key switch. (Pic attached)
Anyone have info on this missing trailer safety device? No factory or aftermarket controller is currently available???
Here in Canada, and many U.S. states, all trailers over a certain weight must be equipped with a braking system that will stop and hold the trailer. Without an electrical connection to the tow vehicle braking system, applying trailer braking is impossible!
Why sell the option if it cannot be used safely or legally?

Sponsored

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

There are two optional towing packages: the Trailer Tow Package and the Advanced Towing Package

The Advanced Package is what comes with the trailer brake. The normal Trailer Tow Package only comes with the 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness and Class IV Trailer Hitch Receiver

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

There are 2 levels of 'Tow Package'. The basic one does not come with a Traler Brake Controller from the factory, however we on this forum have discovered that there is a connector to the rear left of the Drivers foot well that will acept any of the aftermarket ones for the current Bronco. For liability reasons, i must tell you not to rely on this info from me as any garuntee that it will work in any way. Any install would be entirly at your own risk. However the 6G Ranger is based on the Bronco.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...brake-controller-24-ranger.11415/#post-179966

 

[Bagman51]

Thanks for that information.
It still defies logic for Ford to provide an incomplete tow package advanced or others.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Thanks for that information.
It still defies logic for Ford to provide an incomplete tow package advanced or others.

I agree. With the 7 pin conn back there form the factory, you could be a Mom moving to another state, you'd just plug it in and resonably think your all good. I find it pretty objectionable considering the background it took of us here to delve the facts, and find a solution. A Lawyer, a 30 year electronics tech, and a super electronics guy with access to factory prints!

 

[Jason B]

This is nothing new. The same thing happened on 5G. There is a tow package available, but it never had an option for an integrated TBC. At least on 6G, you have an option to get the TBC from factory. 5G was an aftermarket install.

 

[Rda2w]

I agree. With the 7 pin conn back there form the factory, you could be a Mom moving to another state, you'd just plug it in and resonably think your all good. I find it pretty objectionable considering the background it took of us here to delve the facts, and find a solution. A Lawyer, a 30 year electronics tech, and a super electronics guy with access to factory prints!

I find this whole conversation rather silly. It's like asking why all Whoppers don't come with bacon. The truck was either ordered with the advanced towing pkg, or it wasn't. I've had plenty of vehicles come with 7 pin jacks and no TBC so had to add an aftermarket TBC. It's nice that it's even an option now. And as for the mom, if they aren't smart enough to realize there isn't a TBC do you think they would have set the bias and gain properly if they did have one?

 

[Jason B]

If a mom was moving and rented a trailer to do so, she wouldn't need a TBC as most rentals have surge brakes.

 

[Bagman51]

RDA2w, I do not see your comparison of a missing food item, that would not prevent you from eating. You can always add the missing bacon!
The question is, why does Ford NOT provide a part to correct an incomplete system?

 

[Jason B]

RDA2w, I do not see your comparison of a missing food item, that would not prevent you from eating. You can always add the missing bacon!
The question is, why does Ford NOT provide a part to correct an incomplete system?

As others said, it was an option available at time of purchase. I expect that in the next few months they will have a system available for self-install. On 5G, it was about a year after introduction that a solution for a TBC was devised.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

I find this whole conversation rather silly. It's like asking why all Whoppers don't come with bacon. The truck was either ordered with the advanced towing pkg, or it wasn't. I've had plenty of vehicles come with 7 pin jacks and no TBC so had to add an aftermarket TBC. It's nice that it's even an option now. And as for the mom, if they aren't smart enough to realize there isn't a TBC do you think they would have set the bias and gain properly if they did have one?

I mean, I'm ok with it, because i tinker with cars, and crawl under them, and don't mind tracing a wire, and scratching my head sometimes. Alot of peolpe just see these trucks as a device, like a Bigmac! I mean if you didn't know, and you had a Factory connector, your probably assume that all the pins worked, like everything else on the truck does. I can't think of anything else that you order from the factory that's incomplete. Honestly, at this point, it's pretty much been shown that the Redarc and Tekenosha Bronco TBCs will plug in and work. Include it or put a big red sticker some where. I know, i know, we have too many stupid stickers out there, BUT i think this is one instance where it might help. I'd prefer that they just add a Controller, in volume probably be like $75 bucks. raise the cost of the basic package. Valid complaint, I'd say.

 

[Rda2w]

RDA2w, I do not see your comparison of a missing food item, that would not prevent you from eating. You can always add the missing bacon!
The question is, why does Ford NOT provide a part to correct an incomplete system?

And the missing TBC is not preventing anyone from towing. Only from towing with an optional TBC. It’s an optional device that you can purchase from any trailer/towing parts supplier, along with a wiring harness that makes it plug and play (in most cases). The advanced towing pkg is more than just a TBC. It also comes with additional software and features. There are probably more people that tow smaller trailers with a Ranger that don’t need a TBC than there are towing trailers with electric brakes. Offering two packages makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Moto26]

I mean if you didn't know, and you had a Factory connector, your probably assume that all the pins worked, like everything else on the truck does. I can't think of anything else that you order from the factory that's incomplete.

Like, maybe a truck that doesn’t have a J-brace under the bed for installing anything heavier than a tonneu cover?

Or a base Bronco 4x4 with no front or rear lockers?

There are all kinds of examples. Does it suck that the standard tow package doesn’t include a brake controller? Sure. But everything these days is about upselling. Besides, when did they even start offering factory built-in brake controllers anyway? Only in this century. For decades, if you towed heavy trailers, you had to install a contoller on your own. It was just a given when you bought a truck….

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

And the missing TBC is not preventing anyone from towing. Only from towing with an optional TBC. It’s an optional device that you can purchase from any trailer/towing parts supplier, along with a wiring harness that makes it plug and play (in most cases). The advanced towing pkg is more than just a TBC. It also comes with additional software and features. There are probably more people that tow smaller trailers with a Ranger that don’t need a TBC than there are towing trailers with electric brakes. Offering two packages makes perfect sense to me.

I don't think it's the capabilities of the two packages, it's the hiding the low capability in the fine print, while touting in every ad the 7500lb towing capability. Offering a "Tow package" then basically not telling anyone that they can't tow the 7500 pounds with it, for the sake of saving probalby around $75 basically seems greasy to me. Technicaly, 'im sure they covered thier basses, but doesn't seem that the interest of the customer was paramount. All I'm saying. Gonna add my Redarc, and i'm glad that we found a solution so basic tow package people can tow the Max weight. AND in the case of the 5G (had a FX2) and our 6Gs, ford actualy was verg good about providing the needed wiring. In the 5G the power, ground and control V wire was right there taped up and ready to hook up, and here with the 6G, they even provide a wired connector that's PNP with the current year Bronco controller. I think there was just something lost in translation between manufacturing and a greasy marketing Dept.

 

[Bagman51]

Yeah….what RangerDanger said!

Sponsored