Trailer brakes not working with 2016 F150 brake controller

[marcarolle]

I admit... it's a long subject.

We bought a new 2016 F-150. Dealer installed the Ford brake controller at factory settings.

I'm trying to adjust the settings, as shown to me by salesperson (who also tow a trailer) and as show in owner's manual. I've set the gain to 10 and I don't feel that the TT brakes are working. It feels like the truck's brakes are doing all the job. When I push the brake controller slider to the left, the trailer wheels stop. I can feel it and see it as well.

My previous tow vehicle was a 2004 Ford Explorer V8 Eddie Bauer. I was using the Prodigy P2 and everything was working great.

I'm taking my combo to the Ford dealership tomorrow for them to help me.

But I thought I'd check here to see if you have any idea/suggestion/input?

Thanks

Marc

2016 F-150 Ecoboost 2.7 V6 (max tow capacity: 7200lbs)
20014 Starcraft Antigua (gvwr 5000lbs)

[gmw_photos]

It's all good Marcarolle !
I just thought it was worthwhile to clear the air that at least in my experience, the prodigy is a good product. Not every trailer owner has the option of going with factory IBC, so for those users, especially new folks that come to the forum searching for info, it's good when they can hear of positive experiences as well as hearing from those who have had a negative experience with something.

I'm not surprised you like the new truck. I've driven a couple of them now, one with the 3.5 ecoboost, and the other with the 5.0. Both very nice trucks. For me, the only thing I don't like is I can't get a manual trans in them.

happy camping and safe travels to all.

[marcarolle]

gmw,

I'm sorry, I guess my last post was misleading. It was not my intention.

You are right, the Prodigy is a fantastic brake controller. The problem was with me... I have used a brake controller since 2005, because my then pop-up tent trailer and now my Hybrid trailer have brakes. I was always nervous trying to find that point where the trailer wheels will not lock, yet the brakes will still work fine. It was my own fear! That's why I was nervous with the IBC on the new F-150.

I agree with you, the Prodigy is one of - if not THE best external brake controller.

Thanks for your input.

I loooove my new F-150!!!

[gmw_photos]

To the OP, glad to hear you got it sorted to your satisfaction.

I have to admit I'm a little confused though by your conclusion that the IBC eliminates the guessing compared to the prodigy. I use a prodigy P2 in my Nissan, and a Ford IBC in the F350. As far as inititally setting them up, I use the same procedure for both. Once I have determined what the appropriate gain setting is for each truck, and each of my four trailers, I simply ensure that value is set on the controller when I hook up.
They both work, each and every time, with all four trailers ( assuming good electrical connections and brake adjustment ).

The Ford IBC is "smoother" in operation, I will agree with that. But they both work, whether stopping normal, or stopping hard. In fact, with an aggressive "boost" setting on the P2, I actually prefer it's feel, especially on a hard stop. I can really feel the trailer hunkering down, and the whole combination comes to a forceful, controlled stop.

Again, glad to hear you got it sorted. To any new folks who may stumble across this thread, my comment would be to you if you are considering a Prodigy controller, go for it. It's a good controller that when correctly adjusted, works well ( in my experience ).
It is I suppose possible that some who don't like the prodigy never managed to get it adjusted correctly. It comes with well written instructions for set up. Follow the instructions step by step, and it will serve you well. In my opinion.

[Lynnmor]

Thanks for the update. Your post should be a sticky so folks can understand the benefit of having a superior controller. :B

[marcarolle]

Update on my situation:

Hello fellow campers. Thank you all for your comments and help. It's a known fact that when we come to these forums for input, we are bound to receive opinions that can be at opposite ends. At the end of the day, the original poster (OP) must make his/her own decision, and be willing to live with it.

That being said, the dealership took very good care of me. As mentioned in my original post, I had read (probably 10 times) the section of the owner's manual about the brakes. I had also tried the controller's slider and saw that the trailer wheels were locking. That's why I was concerned; because when driving, I did not feel the trailer's brake were not working.

The dealership team confirmed what most campers who replied to me were right: the IBC is very smooth. At low speed, it is designed to NOT lock the trailer's wheels. At a higher speed, they work great. If I set the gain at a too low setting (1 or 2), when braking, the front end of the truck lowers, which means the truck is the sole provider of brakes. They (Service Manager, Tech Manager) took the time to take me on a test drive with the trailer hooked up.

I have set the gain at 7.5 on Friday a.m. and it worked great. It is true - in my opinion - that this system takes out the guessing of finding the appropriate gain, like I had to do with the Prodigy.

So litterally, we now have a happy camper!

Again, thanks all for your input!

Marc

[ronny7800]

There is no relay to install on the 2015+ f150's. Assuming the truck is programmed properly, it's all in the computer.

I suspect that if it is working manually with the lever, they are working with the pedal too. Just so smooth you can't feel it.

Find an empty road or parking lot, and turn your gain down to zero. Get some speed and use the brakes. If you feel like you are being pushed with zero gain, then you know the brakes are working with the proper settings.

[Canadianxplorer]

Hi guys,

If I read the original post correct it says that the brake controller was installed by the dealer and programmed. On the older trucks 11-14 , you installed the IBC and changed one setting in the programming. The 15 and 16 trucks you have to change 2 setting when programming, Ford even had an SSM about it at one time.

I believe If only one setting was changed, the IBC would only work manually with the lever but not when braking normally.

Just something else to check since it was not a factory installed IBC, I have seen techs make this mistake.

[MitchF150]

If the dash shows the trailer connected message and when you manually slide the bar over and just the trailer brakes engage, that means it's working.. That's what I do each and every time I move the trailer as I'm driving out to make sure they are working.

If you are going less than say 20 mph and just hit the truck brakes, you will get little if any actual trailer brake engagement.. That's what makes the system so smooth.

Try getting up to 40 and above, then hit the brakes harder, and you will feel the trailer brakes working.

Are you going to be taking the trailer in to the dealer too? They won't be able to do much if you just bring in the truck.

After confirming they updated the computer with the IBC stuff, and maybe hook it up to a laptop and check that, not much else they are going to be able to do.

Have you read your owners manual on the operation of the IBC? It's spelled out pretty well how you determine your optimum gain settings and what to do to test it all out.

Good luck!

Mitch

[APT]

Simple test to know if the trailer brakes are working at all - drive on an empty road, or larger parking lot. Manually pull trailer the brake lever without stepping on the brake pedal. It should slow down somewhat.

I suspect it is those relays, though. If you find that bag, it should contain directions on where to install them.

[BenK]

OP...ask the advisors here who know more than the dealer tech who installed your
plug and play IBC to be on call to advise him HOW2...

Good luck tomorrow and since the dealer sold/installed said IBC, they
should make it good or replace it

Another point for your comparison between a MC PSI sensed vs
acelerometer sensed...the MC sensed will only provide as much
braking as the MC sensor says...or how much you are pressing the
brake pedal

An Acelerometer will sense the rate of deceleration and provide braking
power to the trailer based on that rate...factored by your preset (gain)

Bottom line...there is no one size fits all...even in shocks...

Whatever works for you is best for 'you'...it is your vehicle and your $$$$

PS...ask how much for an extra MC PSI Sensor. It should be easy to
change in a pinch. All of the hydraulic braking systems I've ever
designed...had those sensors leak over time. Not car stuff, but industrial
stuff...biggest disc was 48" in dia and biggest drums were in the 200-300lb
range

[Lynnmor]

You should know that the brakes do very little at very slow speeds to prevent jerking. If you are testing at slow speeds, that might be your only problem. The "highly integrated" controllers are just what you want, you no longer have to put up with the garbage that just takes a guess on how much brake to apply.

[steve-n-vicki]

I haven't confirmed it but I was told that you have a brake setting in the information center display

[Jack_Diane_Free]

I have had 2 Fords with the IBC and they have worked flawlessly. You will not experience any 'grab' as you do with aftermarket brake controllers. It is so smooth that when I started using it the first time I thought also it was not working. It is very proportional to the amount of brake pedal pressure and will only apply the amount of brake gently that you are pushing on the pedal.I totally disagree with BenK. The IBC is plug and play totally. Nothing really to set up. I set mine at 9 and forget it there. Have been using the Ford IBC for 5 years now. I have set it once five years ago and it works perfectly.

[marcarolle]

Thank you folks. I printed this page and will show it to the Service Mgr tomorrow a.m.

BenK: thanks for the info... some of it I understand, some I don't! You know your stuff!

APT: very good question. I have seen a plastic bag or two with some wiring or other stuff in the truck. I will show your answer and that stuff to the dealer.

Cheers!