Sponsored

Tow Brake Controller Quandry

bluesteel

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jerry
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
195
Reaction score
179
Location
Bergland, MI (U.P.)
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick Lariat
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Help, please, from experienced tow-ers!

My trailer is a 2,300 lb conventional travel trailer. It is a single-axle with electric brakes. I towed it well over 5,000 miles with the Mav last season, with no issues other than not-great gas mileage due to the high profile. I do have the 4K tow package.

The problem for most of last season, and now, is braking. I don't think the integrated controller is applying the force it should be. I have the gain turned up all the way and don't feel much force when applying the truck brakes, regardless of my speed, either through normal application or by using the manual lever. If I'm coasting maybe 15-20 miles an hour and apply the manual lever, I only get sort of a leisurely slow-down. I can't get anywhere near locking up the trailer wheels or even an abrupt pull-back by the trailer.

I have owned aftermarket proportional controllers on other vehicles in the past and know how they are supposed to function and feel. I know an integrated controller should feel somewhat different from the aftermarket versions, but THIS much different?

Early last season, soon after buying this trailer, I adjusted the trailer brake star wheel as far as it would go to increase braking force. In a normal world, I shouldn't have had to do that, either. Braking was better (still not great) for awhile but seemed to gradually "wear off" over the course of the season.

I was resigned to this being a trailer brake problem and was planning to bring the trailer in to get diagnosed right about now. Then I had someone else tow it out of storage to a pickup location for me. He is driving a larger Ford pickup with integrated controller. He said the brakes have no problem at all and he could easily lock them up (on gravel). I don't think the difference would be attributable to his having a larger pickup - I assume (?) brake controller output wouldn't be much different on a big wheel than on a 4K Mav? (Though his may have options for boost and such...)

So, I brought the Mav AND trailer to my local Ford dealer on Monday. It is a small-town dealer with a good reputation, not known for BS. They tried everything out and said the controller is functioning normally - this is how the integrated controller should feel, and it's different from the old ones. (Whether old ones referred to the really crude and cheap time-based controllers, or proportional controllers, or both, was not stated.) Supposedly the best service guy was put on the case, and the guy who appeared to be the head of the service dept. also looked at it himself. They were able to lock up the brakes on gravel but said it shouldn't even be possible to do so on asphalt, unless the Mav brakes are also locked up (which itself is also nearly impossible). (Note: I don't particularly WANT them to lock up on asphalt, but it seems like they should be able to get close when the gain is at 10!)

They seemed to think it was normal that the brakes are behaving this way even though the gain is turned up to 10. I asked why there's even a gain control and a manual lever if that's the case, and the guy said this is because people like to feel like they have control over it. ???

My main real-world concern in all this is the truck would not be capable of significantly slowing the trailer in the event of an emergency.

I am perplexed. Any thoughts?
Sponsored

 

Jeff D.

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Threads
15
Messages
561
Reaction score
631
Location
Duluth, MN.
Vehicle(s)
'24 Maverick Lariat & '25 Chevy Equinox LT
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Jerry, I would be as skeptical as you. I've towed campers with electric brakes and with vehicles with built in controllers and have not had brakes as underwhelming as you've described.

I would think a shop that often deals with electirc brakes could figure out if the controller is putting out adaquate voltage and current.

I would get another professional opinion, if I was in your shoes.

Good luck. :)
 

Joe Strummer

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Feb 5, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
404
Reaction score
801
Location
Squamish, BC
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ford Maverick XLT Tremor
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 
Let me know the outcome. I am in the process of having a dealer brake controller installed on my Tremor.
 
OP
OP
bluesteel

bluesteel

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jerry
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
195
Reaction score
179
Location
Bergland, MI (U.P.)
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick Lariat
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Let me know the outcome. I am in the process of having a dealer brake controller installed on my Tremor.
Does that mean whatever controller the dealer chooses to install aftermarket, or is it possible for them add the integrated version?
 
OP
OP
bluesteel

bluesteel

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jerry
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
195
Reaction score
179
Location
Bergland, MI (U.P.)
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick Lariat
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Jerry, I would be as skeptical as you. I've towed campers with electric brakes and with vehicles with built in controllers and have not had brakes as underwhelming as you've described.

I would think a shop that often deals with electirc brakes could figure out if the controller is putting out adaquate voltage and current.

I would get another professional opinion, if I was in your shoes.

Good luck. :)
I did have somewhat similar experience with a Tekonsha controller on a previous vehicle. I had the trailer brakes looked at, even the shoes and magnets replaced, and none of it made a difference. Controller was putting out correct voltage. Finally I replaced it anyway, and suddenly everything was fine, other than the many hours and hundreds of dollars wasted. My conclusion in that case was the controller probably was not putting out correct current (amperage). I have a clamp multimeter but don't know the procedure and wiring I would have to do to test that myself. I would like to think the dealer's equipment would check for this issue, but then maybe they had confirmation bias and didn't even go that far? I had to pay them $90 (in FordPass points) for diagnosis :mad:
 

Sponsored

Raymundo76

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Ray
Joined
Oct 15, 2022
Threads
60
Messages
652
Reaction score
628
Location
Mesa Az
Vehicle(s)
21 Mazda CX-5
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Clubs
 
Jerry, I would be as skeptical as you. I've towed campers with electric brakes and with vehicles with built in controllers and have not had brakes as underwhelming as you've described.

I would think a shop that often deals with electirc brakes could figure out if the controller is putting out adaquate voltage and current.

I would get another professional opinion, if I was in your shoes.

Good luck. :)
Good recommendations.
 

RRJJINTN

2.0L EcoBoost
Active member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
26
Reaction score
23
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle(s)
2022 maverick lariat first edition awd
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Help, please, from experienced tow-ers!

My trailer is a 2,300 lb conventional travel trailer. It is a single-axle with electric brakes. I towed it well over 5,000 miles with the Mav last season, with no issues other than not-great gas mileage due to the high profile. I do have the 4K tow package.

The problem for most of last season, and now, is braking. I don't think the integrated controller is applying the force it should be. I have the gain turned up all the way and don't feel much force when applying the truck brakes, regardless of my speed, either through normal application or by using the manual lever. If I'm coasting maybe 15-20 miles an hour and apply the manual lever, I only get sort of a leisurely slow-down. I can't get anywhere near locking up the trailer wheels or even an abrupt pull-back by the trailer.

I have owned aftermarket proportional controllers on other vehicles in the past and know how they are supposed to function and feel. I know an integrated controller should feel somewhat different from the aftermarket versions, but THIS much different?

Early last season, soon after buying this trailer, I adjusted the trailer brake star wheel as far as it would go to increase braking force. In a normal world, I shouldn't have had to do that, either. Braking was better (still not great) for awhile but seemed to gradually "wear off" over the course of the season.

I was resigned to this being a trailer brake problem and was planning to bring the trailer in to get diagnosed right about now. Then I had someone else tow it out of storage to a pickup location for me. He is driving a larger Ford pickup with integrated controller. He said the brakes have no problem at all and he could easily lock them up (on gravel). I don't think the difference would be attributable to his having a larger pickup - I assume (?) brake controller output wouldn't be much different on a big wheel than on a 4K Mav? (Though his may have options for boost and such...)

So, I brought the Mav AND trailer to my local Ford dealer on Monday. It is a small-town dealer with a good reputation, not known for BS. They tried everything out and said the controller is functioning normally - this is how the integrated controller should feel, and it's different from the old ones. (Whether old ones referred to the really crude and cheap time-based controllers, or proportional controllers, or both, was not stated.) Supposedly the best service guy was put on the case, and the guy who appeared to be the head of the service dept. also looked at it himself. They were able to lock up the brakes on gravel but said it shouldn't even be possible to do so on asphalt, unless the Mav brakes are also locked up (which itself is also nearly impossible). (Note: I don't particularly WANT them to lock up on asphalt, but it seems like they should be able to get close when the gain is at 10!)

They seemed to think it was normal that the brakes are behaving this way even though the gain is turned up to 10. I asked why there's even a gain control and a manual lever if that's the case, and the guy said this is because people like to feel like they have control over it. ???

My main real-world concern in all this is the truck would not be capable of significantly slowing the trailer in the event of an emergency.

I am perplexed. Any thoughts?
[/QUOTEthere was a recall on trailer brake controller,did dealer do it ?
 
OP
OP
bluesteel

bluesteel

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jerry
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
195
Reaction score
179
Location
Bergland, MI (U.P.)
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick Lariat
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Trailer brake controller recall - is this the one that held up sales of Mavs with the tow package several months ago? Or was that for Mavs with the regular tow hitch only? I only vaguely remember it.

Mine is a '22 purchased in December 2022 and I think manufactured the month prior. So if it's the recall I'm thinking of, it did not apply to my mfg date. I will look into it again, though. My Ford account shows no outstanding recalls and I never got a notice for any TBC recall.
 

Jeffr4JC

2.0L EcoBoost
Active member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Feb 19, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
43
Reaction score
74
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
22 Maverick Lariat Fx4 w/4k tow in Carbonized Grey
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Help, please, from experienced tow-ers!

My trailer is a 2,300 lb conventional travel trailer. It is a single-axle with electric brakes. I towed it well over 5,000 miles with the Mav last season, with no issues other than not-great gas mileage due to the high profile. I do have the 4K tow package.

The problem for most of last season, and now, is braking. I don't think the integrated controller is applying the force it should be. I have the gain turned up all the way and don't feel much force when applying the truck brakes, regardless of my speed, either through normal application or by using the manual lever. If I'm coasting maybe 15-20 miles an hour and apply the manual lever, I only get sort of a leisurely slow-down. I can't get anywhere near locking up the trailer wheels or even an abrupt pull-back by the trailer.

I have owned aftermarket proportional controllers on other vehicles in the past and know how they are supposed to function and feel. I know an integrated controller should feel somewhat different from the aftermarket versions, but THIS much different?

Early last season, soon after buying this trailer, I adjusted the trailer brake star wheel as far as it would go to increase braking force. In a normal world, I shouldn't have had to do that, either. Braking was better (still not great) for awhile but seemed to gradually "wear off" over the course of the season.

I was resigned to this being a trailer brake problem and was planning to bring the trailer in to get diagnosed right about now. Then I had someone else tow it out of storage to a pickup location for me. He is driving a larger Ford pickup with integrated controller. He said the brakes have no problem at all and he could easily lock them up (on gravel). I don't think the difference would be attributable to his having a larger pickup - I assume (?) brake controller output wouldn't be much different on a big wheel than on a 4K Mav? (Though his may have options for boost and such...)

So, I brought the Mav AND trailer to my local Ford dealer on Monday. It is a small-town dealer with a good reputation, not known for BS. They tried everything out and said the controller is functioning normally - this is how the integrated controller should feel, and it's different from the old ones. (Whether old ones referred to the really crude and cheap time-based controllers, or proportional controllers, or both, was not stated.) Supposedly the best service guy was put on the case, and the guy who appeared to be the head of the service dept. also looked at it himself. They were able to lock up the brakes on gravel but said it shouldn't even be possible to do so on asphalt, unless the Mav brakes are also locked up (which itself is also nearly impossible). (Note: I don't particularly WANT them to lock up on asphalt, but it seems like they should be able to get close when the gain is at 10!)

They seemed to think it was normal that the brakes are behaving this way even though the gain is turned up to 10. I asked why there's even a gain control and a manual lever if that's the case, and the guy said this is because people like to feel like they have control over it. ???

My main real-world concern in all this is the truck would not be capable of significantly slowing the trailer in the event of an emergency.

I am perplexed. Any thoughts?

I also have the 4k tow and tow my almost 4k camper all the time. I keep my controller on 8 and it stops me on a dime. If I set on 10, it locks up the trailer brakes on gravel. Sounds like your controller isn't working properly. That or the trailer's brakes need replaced (not just shoes but springs). Let us know when you find out what it is.

Blessings!
 
Sponsored
OP
OP
bluesteel

bluesteel

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jerry
Joined
Jan 15, 2023
Threads
10
Messages
195
Reaction score
179
Location
Bergland, MI (U.P.)
Vehicle(s)
2022 Maverick Lariat
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
@Ford Motor Company any chance you can help out here? It seems highly likely here that what the dealer is telling me is not accurate. I would go to the other area dealer for a second opinion, but then I need to pay another diagnostic fee. I have the factory extended warranty (I'm JUST past the basic manuf. warranty) and thus if possible do not want to go to another shop.
 

RRJJINTN

2.0L EcoBoost
Active member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
26
Reaction score
23
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle(s)
2022 maverick lariat first edition awd
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Trailer brake controller recall - is this the one that held up sales of Mavs with the tow package several months ago? Or was that for Mavs with the regular tow hitch only? I only vaguely remember it.

Mine is a '22 purchased in December 2022 and I think manufactured the month prior. So if it's the recall I'm thinking of, it did not apply to my mfg date. I will look into it again, though. My Ford account shows no outstanding recalls and I never got a notice for any TBC recall.
safety recall notice 22s17/nhtsa recall 22v193 2022 maverick “trailer brake controller may not properly apply the trailer brakes” i got it in the mail for my eco boost 4k
 

Hot Runr Guy

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Apr 27, 2021
Threads
69
Messages
2,737
Reaction score
4,131
Location
West Chicago, IL
Vehicle(s)
2024 Edge SEL, 2024 Lariat Tremor
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 

Hot Runr Guy

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Apr 27, 2021
Threads
69
Messages
2,737
Reaction score
4,131
Location
West Chicago, IL
Vehicle(s)
2024 Edge SEL, 2024 Lariat Tremor
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 
Trailer brake controller recall - is this the one that held up sales of Mavs with the tow package several months ago? Or was that for Mavs with the regular tow hitch only? I only vaguely remember it.

Mine is a '22 purchased in December 2022 and I think manufactured the month prior. So if it's the recall I'm thinking of, it did not apply to my mfg date. I will look into it again, though. My Ford account shows no outstanding recalls and I never got a notice for any TBC recall.
If it was manufactured in Nov 2022 it would have been a 2023 model.

HRG
 

RRJJINTN

2.0L EcoBoost
Active member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Aug 25, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
26
Reaction score
23
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle(s)
2022 maverick lariat first edition awd
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
'
Trailer brake controller recall - is this the one that held up sales of Mavs with the tow package several months ago? Or was that for Mavs with the regular tow hitch only? I only vaguely remember it.

Mine is a '22 purchased in December 2022 and I think manufactured the month prior. So if it's the recall I'm thinking of, it did not apply to my mfg date. I will look into it again, though. My Ford account shows no outstanding recalls and I never got a notice for any TBC recall.
mine was purchased dec 9, 2022 built in 2021 & i got the recall in the mail for trailer brake controller..
Sponsored

 
 





Top