To Brake or not to Brake...

gordon21 · Mar 25, 2008

Racer 71 is right. A new F-150 will have the truck side controller harness hidden just under the dash below and to the right of your right knee. The 12" pigtail assembly that plugs into it came with the truck and was probably in the glove compartment when new. All you have to do is splice the controller wires onto the provided harness.

I left my controller with a 3' set of lead wires. I made a little stand for it and it sits on the dash when towing. Otherwise, I unplug the controller and harness and store it in the back seat. That keeps that dash area clean looking the rest of the time. Most controller installations I have seen look like an aftermarket cassette deck done by a 19 year old back in 1974. Don't ask why I would remember this vision.

AlanB · Mar 25, 2008

Southwest wheel is a sponsor here, and I believe they offer a discount.

For me, it is Prodigy controllers all the way, if he wants a used controller, I have one I will be replacing with a prodigy shortly. I think it is an Impulse, nice controller, but not half what my prodigies are to my feel (could also be that I am spoiled)

As too surge brakes, my GN is surge brakes, and really wish it was electric. Especially in hill country, every time you go down a big long hill, Monteagle in my part of the country, you are essentially dragging your brakes all the way down the hill.

Electric brakes, good controller, is a clean, simple, efficient and economical way to have very good brakeing in all circumstances. (boat trailers excluded)

As others have said, his truck should be plug and play.

George2615 · Mar 25, 2008

jcmseven said:
I appreciate the replies here. I wanted to show my dad the responses, which I felt would be overwhelmingly for the trailer brakes. I am the choir on this one; I would likely not tow 1500# behind a 1/2 ton truck without trailer brakes. My dad is of the old school. He worked his way into a fairly lucrative PR job in oil wholesale, starting as a driver, and he still imagines his 80,000 loads and tries to compare what he used to tow with what he tows now. He is careful, but I really do not want him on the road without the brakes. The convincing him of this is the hard part. I tow a fair amount and thankfully have done so without incident (although my 4520 tried to drive my older truck one time). Despite this, he simply will not listen to my suggestions. To me, this fact will dictate whether pop gets the tractor or not. Thanks for the support.

John M

If he used to drive hauling 80,000 lb loads then he should know the importance of trailer brakes. I doubt he would have relied on the tractor brakes only to stop 80K Why should towing 4K be any different. Have him read these replies.