Towing question

[GaryB]

I have a 2010 Expy limited, with the Heavy-duty trailer package, and anti-sway control. I've never towed much, so I don't really know what I have. Looking at campers now. Can anyone tell me if this has a trailer brake, or how I would know if it does or not? Thanks.

 

[Plati]

I have a 2010 Expy limited, with the Heavy-duty trailer package, and anti-sway control. I've never towed much, so I don't really know what I have. Looking at campers now. Can anyone tell me if this has a trailer brake, or how I would know if it does or not? Thanks.

Read the owners manual?

 

[Cyclone]

Did they have ford factory trailer break controllers available on 2010 expeditions?

 

[GaryB]

OK. Just read the owner's manual. Apparently, there was a factory kit to plug an aftermarket trailer brake into. I'll need to find that. Thanks.

 

[ynpmoose]

If you can find a factory harness to plug the brake controller into, that is ideal. I know Prodigy controllers make harnesses that will plug into their unit and right into factory harnesses, no soldering required. I would imagine other brands have this as well.

 

[Eric Mowrer]

My 13 limited with tow pkg came with a factory brake controller. When did that start?

 

[JExpedition07]

My 13 limited with tow pkg came with a factory brake controller. When did that start?

2011 I believe

 

[x46415]

Can't you just add an aftermarket brake controller if you don't have the built-in dash one?

 

[wingrider]

HD Tow on some years came with a factory connector cable to install a 3rd party brake controller located under the dash near the gas pedal. My '12 had that and I purchased a controller (brand escapes me at the moment) but I just plugged it in, configured it and it's literally been plug and play since. It has been set up for my Race trailer empty and a second setting for with the GT500 in the trailer. Plug it in when towing, put in the console when not towing. Works well.

I think Trailer Brake Control became a built in option for '13....

 

[CaptOchs]

If you don't have a factory brake controller, the Tekonsha P3 is a good controller. Safe yourself some time on the install and get the Ford brake controller cable too.

I also included a link to the 2010 tow guide to figure out your tow capacity. Typically, I size a trailer for 70% of tow capacity. With a good weight distribution kit it should be a comfortable tow.


P3 Brake Controller
https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-901...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Ford Cable
https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-303...automotive&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive

2010 tow guide to find your tow capacity.
http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide2010i.pdf

 

[wingrider]

If you don't have a factory brake controller, the Tekonsha P3 is a good controller. Safe yourself some time on the install and get the Ford brake controller cable too.

I also included a link to the 2010 tow guide to figure out your tow capacity. Typically, I size a trailer for 70% of tow capacity. With a good weight distribution kit it should be a comfortable tow.


P3 Brake Controller
https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-901...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Ford Cable
https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-3035-P-Control-Wiring-Adapter/dp/B001NZQIDE/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Ford|54&Model=Expedition|662&Year=2003|2003&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=2&vehicleType=automotive

2010 tow guide to find your tow capacity.
http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide2010i.pdf

Yep, that's the one I have and used the same Ford cable as well. That link to Amazon shows 4-1/2 stars out of 5 with over 1800 reviews so solid unit.

 

[GaryB]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Texas Dave]

My 2007 had the factory brake control wiring harness. Installing an aftermarket brake controller was plug and play simple. I tow a 31' Airstream. Off topic...I added the Sumo Springs coil spring helpers to my rear springs. This made an incredible improvement to the towing comfort and safety.

 

[Scott Carden]

The plug in cable should be located with the jack for the spare tire in the back. Yes you can add any third party brake controller. Just swing by a UHAUL if you have any questions they can sell you everything you need and install it if you don’t know how. They will even give you the recommendation of max trailer size and weight.

 

[TDGFordGuy]

To the O.P.,

My 2008 K.R. had the tow pkge but no integrated brake controller; this Ford OEM kit is about $20-30 on ebay, relay and fuse are for trailer battery charging.


I installed a hidden brake contoller that doesn't hit your knees. costs about the same as a Tenshado3? that was me tioned.

See my other posts for install and controller info. RedArc

https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...controller-on-a-2008.40314/page-2#post-364432

My 2013 has the integrated controller under the radio bezel in front of the shift lever. Not a great spot to reach for while driving in heavy winds or slippery roads. In my quest to relplace my total loss 2008 K.R., I found that 2012/13 were the first yrs with the integrated controller.

Thomas

 

[fothco]

My 2013 has built in brake controller below heat controls. But - destroyed 2 rear tires with too much weight on tongue an rear axle : negative camber issues . Really check dry weight and tongue weight of RV before buying . The measure and adjust hitch height when hooked up . Keep extra weight at rear of RV . Just some tips we use . fothco

 

[RustyOval]

My 2007 had the factory brake control wiring harness. Installing an aftermarket brake controller was plug and play simple. I tow a 31' Airstream. Off topic...I added the Sumo Springs coil spring helpers to my rear springs. This made an incredible improvement to the towing comfort and safety.

I used the factory wiring harness as well on my '09. I tow a 7k# TT that is 30' long. I just added Sumosprings myself as well as LT tires. Along with my Equalizer hitch my tow is rock solid, but it took me three trys to get the WDH set up correctly. IMO, I would not tow a bigger TT than I alreaday have with an Expy....

 

[haviland]

I believe I have an extra wiring harness as shown above by TDGFordGuy.

You can have it if you pay postage.

PM me if interested.

 

[RAYMOND ALAMO JR]

I have a 2010 Expy limited, with the Heavy-duty trailer package, and anti-sway control. I've never towed much, so I don't really know what I have. Looking at campers now. Can anyone tell me if this has a trailer brake, or how I would know if it does or not? Thanks.

Read the owners manual?

I have a 06 with the HD tow package - come with:

Trailer brake harness under drivers side dashboard.

7 and 4 pin plug.

11 row tranny cooler.

Super cooling engine system: bigger radiator cooling the engine oil.

373 rear.

I did a test tow of 6,000 pounds and it did pretty good towing even up hills - I was surprised! It has 140,000 miles original engine and trany. I changed the spark plugs, Mobile 1 full synthetic (FS) oil (5w30), Mobile 1 ATF FS in the trany, same for front and rear diff, changed all four O2 sensors and gas filter - runs great! After all this I can get up to 13.9 miles locally.

 

[John Kohler]

2013 was the first year of the factory brake controller. I installed a Tekonsha IQ, which I've used before. Took about 10 minutes. Mine had the connector in the back with the spare tire. You can use this and connect to the brake controller cable using solderless connectors. I spent $10 on the Tekonsha cable instead. Part number is 3035-P.