Ford F-250 Brake Controller Install

[DallasSteve]

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.

[Groover]

The factory controller has the ability to access vehicle stability information and take steps to control an unstable trailer. That could be a life saver.

You need to be aware that the factor controller (at least in my 2016) model turns off the brakes below about 3mph, presumably to prevent burning up the brake actuators. There will be times that you don't want that to happen and you should keep a hand on the manual override. Example: coming down a steep gravel drive and trying to make a sharp turn onto a gravel road. I nearly got pushed off the side of a mountain once. It took me a while to figure out why. Any stop on a steep hill while towing heavy can be a challenge. In my case I am towing a trailer about twice as heavy as the truck.

[Grit_dog]

Dadoffourgirls wrote:
I would just purchase a Prodigy P3 and not mess with attempting to install an electronic component after assembly on a highly integrated vehicle.

^This.
Your advice is sound from someone who is obviously a qualified mechanic.
This advice is doubly so for the OP.

[Grit_dog]

Mike134 wrote:
I also lurk on a Ford website. DO NOT buy the cheap knockoff controller on ebay. There have been 10-12 posts on the Ford forum and all have trouble with the cheap **** working properly. When they bought a real OEM controller all the communication issues went away.
If your PC savvy there is a free program called Forscan that allows you to program in the new controller.
Just an FYI using the OEM controller allows your ABS unit to coordinate braking with the trailer in panic stops.

Really? Forscan viewer is free. I find it hard to believe the advertised Forscan and Forscan lite can be had for free.
And you gotta buy a MXII or similar obd link. Not a big deal but I’m genuinely interested in what you said as it makes no sense that FoMoCo would release their software for free. They didn’t used to and afaik no other mfgs do either.
Less than 10 years ago I had to buy licenses or acquire a licensed software version already downloaded to do anything to any of the big 3 trucks in my fleet.

[Grit_dog]

^So you’re saying the new Fords that don’t come with an IBC don’t come with an adapter and are no longer plug and play?
That’s horrible. Installing a brake controller in every brand of truck for the last 20+ years has been a snap.

My recommendation was considering that the OP does not appear equipped to do any sort of moderately involved work. And traditionally, adding an aftermarket brake controller was about as easy as falling off a log with no calks.

[MFL]

Steve..after watching a Ford IBC install video, that is what I'd do. It looks like you need to do same disassembly, no matter which controller you choose. The aftermarket would be more work, needing some easy wire splicing, and drilling to mount to dash.

The OEM Ford connects direct to waiting plug. It does require the flash to activate, which may require a more savvy geek than me?? Any shop that has done this installation flash, could do yours as well. You may feel confident to do it yourself, using your own puter.

This is the video I watched, which was a qualified Ford tech, used to doing this install. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IPGOFKehzk

Hope this helps,

Jerry

[Mike134]

I also lurk on a Ford website. DO NOT buy the cheap knockoff controller on ebay. There have been 10-12 posts on the Ford forum and all have trouble with the cheap **** working properly. When they bought a real OEM controller all the communication issues went away.
If your PC savvy there is a free program called Forscan that allows you to program in the new controller.
Just an FYI using the OEM controller allows your ABS unit to coordinate braking with the trailer in panic stops.

[GottaRunGottaCa]

I bought mine off the internet for $250 at Fairway Ford and had the local dealer install it along with flashing the computer for $180, yes I wanted an OEM

[Dadoffourgirls]

I would just purchase a Prodigy P3 and not mess with attempting to install an electronic component after assembly on a highly integrated vehicle.

[Grit_dog]

What makes you agree that an OE controller is preferable when you have no experience to back your “opinion?”
Not sure why you’re starting a new thread about this. But here’s the deal.
If you’re not willing to get bent over for $600 by your dealer and not confident you can install it and certainly can’t program it, (No, local repair shops won’t be able to flash it unless they are licensed with Forscan) there is a super easy option.
Install an aftermarket controller.
$137.99 for a Prodigy P3 controller.
2 screws and 4 butt splices.
Take the trailer brake adapter harness that is in your glovebox (or get one if somehow you got hose out of that. They come in all new trucks I’ve ever seen that don’t have an IBC.)
Splice the black white red and blue wires together. Mount it somewhere convenient. Done.
All you need to do is adjust the gain for your trailer.