F-150 Trailer Brake Controller Install

Installing a trailer brake controller on the 2018 F150 is easy if you have the right tools. In this video we walk step by step through what is necessary to be able to do this mod.
A trailer brake controller is needed if you are going to be towing any trailer with an electronic braking system.
OBD Link: amzn.to/3VrYzv4
Trim Tools: amzn.to/3ezeJSW
Forscan: www.forscan.org
Trailer Brake Controller: www.tascaparts...
Check out this video before you buy a non-oem unit...
• F150 Trailer Brake Con...
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All videos are for entertainment purposes only. Attempt these projects at your own risk! If you do, make sure you follow all manufacturers instructions!

[@abefriesen6497]

I went to a Ford dealer and ask about this and they told me that I would have to buy a brake controller for $270 plus $75 for programming it and still put it in myself then I watch this video and I saved over $300 I bought it on eBay for $65 I just got done installing it and everything works perfect

[@SmackeysGarage]

Glad to hear I was able to save you a significant amount of money!

[@MyTentLife]

Did you still have to go to ford and have them program it?

[@Zeadrian1]

Which brake controller on eBay ?

[@lorisites6578]

Thank you so much for the video! Us 2 girls saved hundreds by doing this ourselves.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Glad I could help!

[@jaysonhenry9578]

Do yourself a favor and buy the part from Ford. Not much more than Ebay and it wont run your battery down as a parasitic drain.

[@SmackeysGarage]

That's great advice. I did a video in the past few month where I purchased one of each and took them apart. I was really surprised at the difference from the Dealer one vs the "Ford" ebay version that was 1/5th the price.

[@radar22056]

Well. I watched your counter fit video first… and you saved me a dash fire. Got screwed on ebay so ended up getting it thru the dealer anyway. Im out 120$ for the counterfit part from the web but saved the $75 programming fee since i have forscan Thanks for the videos. Ill watch em before i order my parts next time

[@SmackeysGarage]

Glad I could help! Dealer is never a bad idea. eBay also has some good parts sold through dealers. It's those incredibly cheap ones to watch out for. Thanks for watching! Appreciate it!

[@glennjames1756]

Probably the best video on how to install factory F150 brake control! Thanks for your hard work in making this video.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great video! Those brake controllers are such a great upgrade! Brought back memories for me when I helped my dad put one in his 87 F150 to pull his camper trailer with! It was a more simple under dash unit, Hard to believe that's been so long ago! Thanks for sharing!

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks Mitch! I’m looking forward to using it. I don’t have a trailer that requires one yet but I started looking around for something to move projects around.

[@lordneeko]

Its crazy ford made it so difficult to install this thing... One has to wonder why... As an engineer i know you can build things in specific ways to be serviceable ... Im going to avoid the factory controller and install the 3rd party curt i already own...

[@SmackeysGarage]

Definitely easier to use a third party controller rather than integrate an OEM one into the system.

[@ReviloYaj]

Can you say why oem is harder? ​@@SmackeysGarage

[@SmackeysGarage]

@@ReviloYaj Commenting on its more work to take apart the full dash to install the OEM one. I definitely prefer the OEM solution over the non-oem one.

[@Sadams707]

I wonder why my FORScan doesn’t have the trailer brake gain setting all I have is trailer brake module.?2022 f150 Lariat

[@SmackeysGarage]

Hey, I'm not 100% sure on the 2022 F150. If you enabled the TBC, do the settings function? Are you using an OEM Trailer Brake Controller? I took a quick peek at the Forscan forums and some people suggest using an older version of the for scan software. Might be worth a try.

[@fordtough91]

I have a 2018 xlt F-150 and the only options my FORScan gives me are apim and bdycm and pcm. Why would that be

[@SmackeysGarage]

I'm not an expert on Forscan not operating normally. I'd check the FORScan forum.

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

Trouble in paradise. The ford dealer said all computed good. The trailer brake does not engage with the truck foot pedal. Back to ford. Will post again

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks for letting us know.

[@SmackeysGarage]

I did a tear down on the one you bought if you are interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baCsmWhpq6efd5o

[@markwebster2155]

Where did you purchase your controller from ? Was it an OEM right from dealer?

[@SmackeysGarage]

I got mine from Tasca Ford’s part site. Watch this before you buy one. A lot of people buy elsewhere and regret it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baCsmWhpq6efd5o

[@Frenchfryguy1]

Did you double click or hit play? Mine froze

[@SmackeysGarage]

To program? I hit the play button. I'd check to see if you have the latest software. Which OBD cable are you using?

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

I purchased and installed the $48 Motorcraft oem brake controller through eBay. My Ford garage hooked it up (computer OBD) to my 2018 F150 and it works fine. Ford controller is $270! I could have bought the $14 OBD link and downloaded Forscan. It works for those who want to install the brake controller and save $.

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

Oh oh. I should have hooked up the trailer first. The trailer brake is not coming on with the truck foot brake. I will return to Ford dealer and scope it. Hold on my past good report. It was based on what the dealer said.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Let me know how it works out for you.

[@harveyotoole2029]

Great Video, Thanks.

[@SmackeysGarage]

You're welcome!

[@RaulGarcia-iy4tn]

Would these tools, parts and steps work for the 2019 f150?

[@SmackeysGarage]

They should. Make sure you check out my video on trailer brake controllers before you purchase one.

[@collinesacoff3084]

Great video! Thanks for the help. I installed everything. Gain seems to be working and trailer disconnect works as well. How ever when the trailer is plugged in on the 7 pin it still says no trailer. Like yours did in the video when no trailer was plugged in. It feels like the trailer is braking and working properly when towing. Any thoughts?

[@SmackeysGarage]

What year truck do you have? It might be worth checking the Forscan forums that you activated the right modules for your specific year. I would also check all the wiring especially the condition of the connectors. You should also check to see if you have the right fuse in the fusebox for it.

[@collinesacoff3084]

@@SmackeysGarage I have a 2018 lariat f-150. Okay will do thanks

[@Bzimmer21]

Hey, did you ever end up figuring this out? I have the same issue every time I hit the slider or gain it says trailer disconnected

[@findingxeno3285]

@@Bzimmer21it’s because you have a knock off brake controller, you need the motor craft one

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

Will do. We are leaving on a 10 day trip and I will use the trailer break with the hand control.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Is it not working with the foot brake?

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

No. Not sure if brake control is bad or OBD hook up not done correctly

[@markhammer7222]

Thanks!

[@SmackeysGarage]

No problem! Thanks for the super chat!

[@skincarving]

I have a 2016 f 150 4pin I converted to 7 pin . Still have 3 wires hanging . I purchased oem control and forscan update . Controller works on screen . But shows no trailer connected. What am I doing wrong ?

[@SmackeysGarage]

Was the trailer brake controller working before you switched from 4 pin to 7 pin or did you do both installs together?

[@skincarving]

@@SmackeysGarage it was never activated. I had to add one and then do the forscan usb patch . The four pin works just fine so does a seven pin when it’s connected it doesn’t show the trailer connecting. On the back of the seven pin, there are three wires, a purple or black and a blue. They are not connected to anything every forum and video I have seen just shows the individual adding the OEM part then doing the update, writing it into the system recycling on off switch, and I can see everything on my cluster now. If I push the button gain and no game that works if I move the switch to the left, it says no trailer connected.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Hey Frank, where did you get your control from? Ford or eBay?

[@skincarving]

@@SmackeysGarage Ford

[@LFBS]

Thanks very good ! You are very professional to explain !!

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks!

[@portrajared]

Is the part # for the 2017 f150 the same as this or is it the JL3Z-19H332-AA?

[@SmackeysGarage]

Looking at Tasha parts it says the part number you posted is the one on the truck. I’m not 100 percent sure on the differences between them.

[@ReviloYaj]

The non oem one you posted is only $40 less than from Ford. Why not get the oem part?

[@SmackeysGarage]

I believe I posted an OEM ford one through Tasca Ford.

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

So after all the trailer brakes are working. I think I may just have to adjust them. The $50 Motorcraft control works well. My Ford dealer engaging the controller to the F150 (2018) was about $150.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Have you towed with it and used your foot to control the brakes of the trailer?

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

I told a 3000 pound trailer 3100 miles. At higher speeds, it was hard to tell the brakes were engaging. I could feel them grab at lower speeds at stop signs and turns. I crawled under the trailer and heard the brakes engaging when the brake pedal and the hand controlwere engaged. I was expecting more of a tug from the trailer when I use the footbrake.

[@tylerbeachy3388]

I've been all over the forums and can't seem to find a straight answer for my issue. I installed the OEM brake controller on my 2017 F150 and used forscan to enable the proper settings. The trailer brakes work with manual input on the controller, but they do not activate when I press the truck's brake pedal. I've set the gain to max and tested this at high speed with hard brake application, and there is no signal going to the trailer brakes.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Hey Tyler, which settings on FORSCAN did you change on your 2017? What part number brake controller did you purchase?

[@tylerbeachy3388]

@@SmackeysGarage I believe it’s part number JL3Z-2C006-AA. That’s what my eBay order was for, but I may end up taking things apart to inspect the actual part. The three settings I changed were in the IPC - Trailer Brake Control Module, Trailer Brake Controller Gain Setting, and Trailer Brake Module - all enabled.

[@johnhargenrader8972]

I have the same issue on my 2015 F150. Manual works. Dash display shows no brake signal when brake pedal is pressed.

[@vinnie7654]

Any update on this fix?

[@matiasbertoni3170]

@@johnhargenrader8972 hello, did you fix de issue? same one here...

[@hectordelacerda9120]

My truck keeps saying trailer disconnected, but the brakes still work. Any ideas? Thank you

[@SmackeysGarage]

Where did you get your trailer brake controller from?

[@hectordelacerda9120]

@@SmackeysGarage rock auto

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

I recently purchased through eBay a Motorcraft controller. The part number is JL3Z20006 - AA. I’m not sure which OBD link to purchase to make this work. There seems to be several. Am I OK to get the $50 one (ScanTool SX), or should I get the EX 429101 OBD-II USB interface Ford dealer diagnose Forscan? (Only $10 more)

[@SmackeysGarage]

Just curious how much you paid for the controller. If you haven’t seen this video worth a watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baCsmWhpq6efd5o I linked the one I prefer in the description. It is the one FORscan suggests. Ford will have their own tools if you bring it there.

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

@@SmackeysGarage $45 and I thought it would be good being Motorcraft and OEM with the proper? Part number. After more research I’m wondering if I am going down a spending hole. I’m watching your test of controllers

[@jeffmanhardt8029]

I’m betting now I’ve got something cheap and won’t work. I can take it out and inspect the guts (and weigh it!). Maybe even return it

[@SmackeysGarage]

So I never plugged them in to see if it will work. I can’t definitively say it won’t work but it is definitely different from the one you buy from the dealer.

[@beefchicken]

The auto-generated captions. Oh my. Forscan sounds like something else.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Haha. I wonder if there is a way to correct that

[@markflach]

The install went great and the brake controller appears to work fine. The only issue are, when I look at the trailer status I show no brake output and when I squeeze the override, the brake engages but I get a "Trailer Disconnected" message. Any thoughts?

[@SmackeysGarage]

Where did you get your brake controller and what did you pay for it?

[@diegofalcon9056]

HI. Did you ever figure this out? I have the same issue. All installed just like the video and it went well. When i adjust the gain, numbers go up and down but trailer says disconnected. I also don't feel any difference while driving. (when I turn on the truck, it says trailer connected though).

[@markflach]

@@diegofalcon9056 I did not but did confirm it was working properly. I would love to know how to fix it.

[@nikktovar2797]

When I press run on the ipc module configuration it says that I need an extended license to run this function, what does that mean?

[@SmackeysGarage]

You need to download the trial from the FORScan website. It’s free. You do not need to give any payment information.

[@nikktovar2797]

@@SmackeysGarage okay thanks I’ll give it another try 🙏🏽

[@ericyoung1973]

You magically got to the trailer brake control settings after finding the IPC module configuration. I’m dead in the water at that IPC module configuration. Double click, triple click… nothing 😢

[@SmackeysGarage]

Did you try the play button at the bottom of the screen after selecting it?

[@Frenchfryguy1]

It says I need an extended license

[@ericyoung1973]

@@Frenchfryguy1 I finally figured out to go to the fore scan site and register. They will send you an authorization to use the device for free for a short period of time.

[@MadMax83_]

​@@Frenchfryguy1 you have to pay to access it. The free version of forscan won't allow you to.

[@ryansaber9226]

When I turn my truck on it reads "trailer brake fault" on the welcome screen. Any suggestions?

[@SmackeysGarage]

Hey Ryan, what year is your truck, where did you get your TBC from, and what changes did you make in Forscan?

[@steveharlow1424]

@@SmackeysGaragemy 19 f150 did the same thing, what was the fix?

[@rodney5656]

Great video bud. Will be doing this soon. Got a controller and obdll on the way

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks! Let me know how it goes!

[@rodney5656]

It did not go well. We bought the elm327 eBay ond2. HUGE mistake. Then I found you had the OBDLink EX linked in your description. So now we have that coming. The other one is being returned once the seller sends me the shipping label. It has the switch which wasn’t marked HS/MS CAN BUS so that took a lot of trial and error to connect to vehicle. Then it would not find IPC Module Configuration. There were other complication as well. Any how, VERY frustrating to deal with. I now know that the o e you have linked is the one ForScan Team recommends, so when it gets here I’ll update you. Great video. Thanks for the links. By the way, the install of the actual device in the dash went perfectly. Only about 10 minutes to do that. Then like 4 hours fighting with the computer.