Ford F-250 Brake Controller Install
I have a 2022 Ford F-250 and a Jayco trailer with electric brakes. I've been researching electric brakes for trailers and the brake controllers. The consensus here seems to be that Original Equipment is preferable to after market controllers. I agree at this point. I called my selling dealer's service department and they said they don't do that and I should call Joe's Trailer (not the real name). I called my salesman and he was too busy doing his taxes to help. True story. I checked another Ford dealer here and they want $600 to install it. Just terrible service all over for Ford.
I found an original controller from a Ford dealer on eBay for $240. I found another that looks almost identical, but it's a little different in shape of the knobs for only $60. I see videos of how to install it. I think I can install it, if the harness is there when I open it up. I'm not sure I can get the dash back together perfect. And I don't know how to program the computer to get the truck to recognize the controller. Do you think a local mechanic can program the Ford computer? I'm thinking of buying one of the controllers on eBay. Would you buy the more expensive one from the Ford dealer? I'm thinking I could take it apart, hook it up, try to put the dash back together then get a local mechanic to program the computer and help clean up the dash, if I don't get it all correct.
Suggestions?
Update: I'm leaning towards buying the $240 Ford part, installing it myself, then asking the local dealer service shop how much they charge to set the program. If it's $100 or less I'll pay them. If not, I may check the local shops. I think the $240 model may be a proportional controller and the $60 versions may be time delayed controllers. I notice on eTrailer that's about the price range for those controllers and I want a proportional controller.
I found an original controller from a Ford dealer on eBay for $240. I found another that looks almost identical, but it's a little different in shape of the knobs for only $60. I see videos of how to install it. I think I can install it, if the harness is there when I open it up. I'm not sure I can get the dash back together perfect. And I don't know how to program the computer to get the truck to recognize the controller. Do you think a local mechanic can program the Ford computer? I'm thinking of buying one of the controllers on eBay. Would you buy the more expensive one from the Ford dealer? I'm thinking I could take it apart, hook it up, try to put the dash back together then get a local mechanic to program the computer and help clean up the dash, if I don't get it all correct.
Suggestions?
Update: I'm leaning towards buying the $240 Ford part, installing it myself, then asking the local dealer service shop how much they charge to set the program. If it's $100 or less I'll pay them. If not, I may check the local shops. I think the $240 model may be a proportional controller and the $60 versions may be time delayed controllers. I notice on eTrailer that's about the price range for those controllers and I want a proportional controller.
