Brake controller location

[ECones]

RV is a 2015 Thor Freedom Elite on a 2014 Ford E450 chassis.

I need to install a brake controller, but I'm concerned about where to mount the unit inside. The inside dash seems to drop down and just stop with no flat bottom.

Where is your controller mounted, and how's that working for you?

thx

[ECones]

SRockwood wrote:
I was just going to mount mine under the steering column.

Should work if you can get the wires to it OK. It doesn't matter much, but I put it under my dash on my pickup, which wasn't really an option on the E450.

[SRockwood]

I was just going to mount mine under the steering column.

[ECones]

K Charles wrote:
Is there a hole in the dash where you but junk or wallet or change or something?

Good suggestion, though initially I thought it'd never go in there.

I made an appointment to get it installed, but they couldn't get to it for a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, my back got better, and I just decided to do it myself.

Your suggestion turned out well. I couldn't use any of the provided brackets, but I secured it in there with sticky-back Velcro, and it feels quite secure.

[ECones]

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[ECones]

jfkmk wrote:
You can mount it right to the sloped panel. They typically don't need to be mounted flat.

Instructions say it needs to be mounted 0 to 70 degrees nose up. I checked that panel with my phone level, and it says it's about 4 degrees off vertical.

We're having it installed; I don't think I can get my weary old body down there and do it. Maybe they've done enough they'll know, but my wife is concerned about where they'll put it.

Thanks for the input.

[tatest]

If you had the factory installed brake controller, Ford would have installed it in the rectangular hole in the top of the dash, just left of center above the A/C vent next to the radio. A lot of aftermarket controllers are small enough to fit the space, and the filler piece could probably fabricated into a faceplate or mount.

That's where I will try to get an installer to put the brake controller, when I add it to my 2013 E-350 van. Most shops, however, like to go for an easier place that minimizes work behind the dash.

[DrewE]

Could you maybe surface mount it on the slopey bit next to the emergency start switch? I think that's where I've most frequently seen trailer brake controllers mounted, though I can't say I've ever paid much attention to the matter.

[jfkmk]

You can mount it right to the sloped panel. They typically don't need to be mounted flat.

[K_Charles]

Is there a hole in the dash where you but junk or wallet or change or something?

[ECones]

Thanks for the photo. The following is a photo of the bottom of our dash, and it just drops down and stops. There may be a 1/4" stiffening lip at the bottom, but it doesn't curve under at all to speak of. There is a little box with a flat bottom on the right end that the bracket could maybe mount to.

[downtheroad]

Not in a 450 but I mounted ours next to the steer column at the bottom to the right of my right knee. It's out of the way but I can reach it easily if needed.

Keep in mind, most do not need to be mounted horizontally.
This picture is not mine but a good example: