How Ford Integrated Brake Controller Works
The Ford integrated brake controller is a feature that assists in slowing down a tow trailer smoothly by automatically applying the trailer brakes when the towing vehicle’s brakes are applied. Here’s how it works:
– Controls: The integrated brake controller has a manual control lever that sends power to the trailer’s brakes, along with plus and minus buttons that adjust the amount of power sent, known as the gain setting.
– Adjusting Brake Effort: Users can select trailer brake effort and choose low, medium, or high settings. Low is the default setting, recommended for most trailers.
– Gain Setting: The gain setting can be adjusted using the manual control lever in a traffic-free environment at approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour on a dry level surface. If the trailer wheels turn freely, the gain setting can be increased to adjust the trailer brakes.
The integrated brake controller electronically tracks hydraulic pressure inside the vehicle’s master cylinder and uses the pressure, along with vehicle speed, to modulate the amount of current produced for the trailer brakes. This allows the system to accurately follow the tow vehicle’s braking, adjusting the trailer brake action based on the vehicle’s braking conditions.
The Ford integrated brake controller is designed to work with electric trailer brakes and may not be compatible with electric-over-hydraulic actuators in certain model years. Aftermarket brake controllers are not integrated and may not work as effectively as the factory-installed integrated brake controller.
In case of any issues with the integrated brake controller, common problems may include the trailer not being recognized as connected, EOH (electric-over-hydraulic) failure, checked fuses not registering, brakes failing to engage, and the brake controller declining to work. In such cases, professional assistance may be required for troubleshooting and fixing the issue.
Overall, the Ford integrated brake controller is a valuable feature that enhances the towing experience by providing smoother and more controlled braking for tow trailers.
Contents
- How do I know my brake controller is working?
- How do you activate a Ford trailer brake controller?
- How do you use a Ford integrated brake controller?
- What are the symptoms of a bad brake controller?
- What is the TBC fault?
- How do you test an integrated brake controller?
- Do I need an integrated trailer brake controller?
- How does an integrated brake controller work?
- How do you test a Ford trailer brake controller?
- What is the TBC mode on my Ford?
How do I know my brake controller is working?
If the brake controller is in proportional mode the LED will illuminate. Blue if it is in user controlled mode the LED will be green. And if the unit is in calibration mode the LED will flash green
How do you activate a Ford trailer brake controller?
How do I use my Ford truck’s Trailer Brake Controller? The Trailer Brake Controller switch is located on your center console. When this feature is enabled, the brakes on your trailer will engage automatically when you use the brakes on your vehicle.
How do you use a Ford integrated brake controller?
And choose low medium. Or high low is the default setting which is recommended for most trailers. One last thing if you press the back arrow.
What are the symptoms of a bad brake controller?
Intermittent connectivity is another common issue that can affect electric brake controllers. If you experience sporadic or inconsistent braking response, it may indicate a problem with the electrical connection between the controller and the trailer.
What is the TBC fault?
The TBC fault or trailer brake fault is normally a bad brake pressure transducer this is the switch on the bottom of the master cylinder closest to the firewall. Check the connectors and wiring there also.
How do you test an integrated brake controller?
Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like the Quickee Tester, part # 3808, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed.
Do I need an integrated trailer brake controller?
You’ll need one of these devices if the trailer you’re towing is equipped with electric or electro hydraulic brakes. Otherwise, there’s nothing telling the trailer’s brakes when to operate. The federal law that regulates commercial vehicles states, trailers with a loaded weight over 3,000 lbs. require brakes.
How does an integrated brake controller work?
The TBC control is located on your center console. Here. It has a manual slide control lever that apply the trailers electric brakes independently of the tow vehicle. And a plus and minus gain adjust.
How do you test a Ford trailer brake controller?
The reason for this is that in proportional mode the Tow Pro is measuring inertia. So if the vehicle is stationary. There is no inertia.
What is the TBC mode on my Ford?
When the TBC is turned on and your trailer is properly connected, the TBC automatically applies brake force to the trailer’s individual wheels when you press the towing vehicle’s brakes. You can manually adjust the amount of power applied to the trailer brakes, if desired.