2011 HD Tow Brake Controller Question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
637
Reaction score
359
Location
Yorktown NY & Jupiter FL
Hi All
Ive got 2017 and 2011 Limited Expys, both with HD Tow. Ive never towed with the 2011 as I had an Excursion up until I acquired the 2017.

Id like to do some towing with the 2011 but unlike the 2017 it has no trailer brake controller. I seem to remember when equipped with HD Tow, the 2011s came prewired under the dash for a TBC.

Questions are
Am I correct that the 2011s with HD Towcame prewired for TBC?
If so, where is the connector located under the dash and what type of connector would I be looking for?
If so, is the prewiring for a specific make / model TBC?
 

x1050er

Active Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
28
Reaction score
12
Location
Caledonia, Wisconsin
Yes, the 2011 is prewired for the brake controller. I have a 2011 ssv with the tow package. The connection is under the panel to the right of the scanner(ecu port)

I ordered mine from etrailer.com along with the wire harness.....plug and play

Good idea to clean the ground to the frame above the spare tire, mine was nasty
 
OP
OP
GlennSullivan

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
637
Reaction score
359
Location
Yorktown NY & Jupiter FL
Yes, the 2011 is prewired for the brake controller. I have a 2011 ssv with the tow package. The connection is under the panel to the right of the scanner(ecu port)

I ordered mine from etrailer.com along with the wire harness.....plug and play

Good idea to clean the ground to the frame above the spare tire, mine was nasty
Thank you for the info.

What make / model controller did you end up purchasing and how did you determine which to buy or do all TBC have the same connector? Did you literally plug the connector from the TBC to the connector under the dash?

I believe the one on my Excursion was a Draw-Tite. It was installed by the dealer I purchased the trailer from.
 
OP
OP
GlennSullivan

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
637
Reaction score
359
Location
Yorktown NY & Jupiter FL
Thank you for the info.

What make / model controller did you end up purchasing and how did you determine which to buy or do all TBC have the same connector? Did you literally plug the connector from the TBC to the connector under the dash?

I believe the one on my Excursion was a Draw-Tite. It was installed by the dealer I purchased the trailer from.
I just looked on their site and they provide the correct adapter cable if you choose the correct model / year and 7 connector plug! Thanks again!
 

Gary Waugh

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Posts
406
Reaction score
208
Location
Princeton, TX
The brake controller is only a 4 pin plug, not 7!! As stated the car is pre-wired for it and the plug is located behind the panel under the steering wheel (where the drivers knees are located).

Gary
 

Roast4570

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2022
Posts
57
Reaction score
36
Location
Texas
You can get a 4 to 7 adapter for the rear and there is generally a blue brake controller wire wrapped and capped in the harness leading to your factory four pin. I honestly went to o’reily’s and got the controller and the 7 pin. It may or may not have wiring there for your trailer aux power and your back up lights. The aux power was relatively easy to wire from the battery to the rear of the car along the frame with an inline fuse and 10 gauge wire. I just capped off my backup light wire, as it’s not vital to me.
 
OP
OP
GlennSullivan

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
637
Reaction score
359
Location
Yorktown NY & Jupiter FL
The brake controller is only a 4 pin plug, not 7!! As stated the car is pre-wired for it and the plug is located behind the panel under the steering wheel (where the drivers knees are located).

Gary
Sorry for the confusion, when I wrote 7 connector plug, I was referring to the vehicle to trailer connector. When I looked up 2011 Expedition on Etrailer, they list the part numbers / packages for vehicles that have either a flat 4 pin or a round 7 pin trailer connector. I guess that is how they differentiate 2011 Expys with and without HD tow and provide the correct connection cord for each. See below.

Hayes Trailer Brake Controller with Adapter - 2011 Ford Expedition

with factory 7-Way​


=============================

Hayes Trailer Brake Controller with Adapter - 2011 Ford Expedition

with factory 4-Flat​

 
Last edited:

chuck s

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Posts
1,817
Reaction score
672
Location
Chesterfield, VA (that's south of Richmond, y'all)
Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller on my '07 Expedition for 10 years. Plug-n-play under the dashboard with a $15 pigtail. Without HD Tow, though, you're limited to 6000 pounds and will need to fit the Bargman connector and find the blue brake wire. It should all be back there. My '17 HD tow has the wonderful built-in brake controller which is smart enough to spot bad brake lights on the trailer as I found out the first time I towed with it.

--Chuck
 
Top