HD towing worth it?

[balaguru]

I just purchased a new 2013 4wd XLT. The dealer is willing to install the HD tow package for the cost of the option ($570). The alternative is for me to install the stuff on my own possibly using aftermarket versions of the radiator, tranny cooler and brake controller for improved performance. I guess what I'm asking is: do aftermarket versions of these things provide any added performance and/or safety over the factory parts?

When I settle into things I plan to be towing an open car hauler (~6000lbs) 1-2x per month.

 

[bedrck46]

Take into consideration what your cost would be if you did the work and got the parts (your cost for parts plus your labor and time) as compared to the dealer doing the install I don't personally fell that there would be much of a difference between factory and aftermarket

 

[toms89]

"Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package includes Class IV hitch
receiver, 7- and 4-pin connectors, heavy-duty auxiliary
transmission oil cooler, heavy-duty radiator, electronic brake
wiring kit and integrated trailer brake controller."

I don't think you could do much better price wise if you assemble the kit yourself. The ford parts are of decent quality, after all they must warranty the vehicle.

I personally would get the factory HD tow package.

 

[balaguru]

Thanks for the feedback. From a cost perspective I'd be hard pressed to beat the dealer offer. I don't have any experience towing beyond pulling a U haul trailer with surge brakes. I wasn't sure if there was some feature that aftermarket brake controllers provided that would be pretty handy to have. One feature possibly in favor of the factory system is that the factory brake controller could integrate the trailer brakes into the sway control and stability control systems and apply trailer brakes when either condition is detected. I'm not sure if it actually does this, though. The argument in favor of installing aftermarket parts aside from some wiz bang brake controller feature that I don't know about is that I could select bigger cooling systems.

Take into consideration what your cost would be if you did the work and got the parts (your cost for parts plus your labor and time) as compared to the dealer doing the install I don't personally fell that there would be much of a difference between factory and aftermarket

 

[bedrck46]

I think you will find the electronic brake controller it be much better than the surge brakes The one thing with surge brakes is that they need to be disabled when in you go in reverse. That would normally happen if you have the solenoid hooked up to the back-up light circuit. With the electronic control you will also be able to manually activate them if needed and once you set them up to the load and your preference you will find them to be much better. At least that is my opinion. Make sure you read the manual for the controller

 

[tonydiv]

Don't forget that when you get the heavy duty towing package, all those items carry the factory warranty. If you did it with aftermarket parts, you're on your own if anything goes wrong with them.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

++ on factory install.

Ensure you spend the $ on a reputable weight distributing hitch.

PanHandler.

 

[balaguru]

Thanks for all the feedback. Yup a good wdh is on the list of things to get. I have almost a spare no expense attitude to this toe rig which is why I was considering spending more on aftermarket if there was some benefit to doing so.

 

[Static54]

Don't think about it just do it

 

[balaguru]

Don't think about it just do it

Haha. Just waiting to hear back about scheduling a time. They are also replacing 2 tires that were damaged in transport.

 

[VTfireftr]

Make sure the dealer also changes out your master cylinder for the brakes, or the brake controller will not work properly.

I have the integrated brake controller on my F250 and it is the BEST brake controller I have ever used. I tow several trailers equipped with brakes with the F250 and have NEVER had any issues. When I bought my 2008 Expedition, I had no choice but to add an aftermarket controller (Prodigy). It works good, but not as seamless as the OEM controller.

Good luck.

 

[balaguru]

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I did not know that was part of package. I really need to buy the service manual. I hope they don't start balking when they realize just how much work they agreed to.

Make sure the dealer also changes out your master cylinder for the brakes, or the brake controller will not work properly.

I have the integrated brake controller on my F250 and it is the BEST brake controller I have ever used. I tow several trailers equipped with brakes with the F250 and have NEVER had any issues. When I bought my 2008 Expedition, I had no choice but to add an aftermarket controller (Prodigy). It works good, but not as seamless as the OEM controller.

Good luck.

 

[balaguru]

Well, now the dealer is claiming the integrated brake controller cannot be added. This is all pretty frustrating. I'm now waiting to hear back after I expressed my displeasure. I had been told when I purchased the vehicle that it had the HD towing option and only agreed to pay the $570 as a token of me accepting some responsibility for not recognizing the option was missing when I inspected the vehicle before signing on the dotted line.