Trailer Brakes 4 pin to 7 Pin

[Michael Sauer]

I have a 2012 Expedition XLT that came with a hitch and a 4 pin adapter. I am putting trailer brakes on and I know I can get a connector that goes from under the dash to the brake controller, but the back of the vehicle only has a 4 pin and I need a 7 pin. Are the other wires wound up in the wire loom back there somewhere, or am I going to have to spend an excessive amount of money to get the 7 pin wire loom.

 

[JExpedition07]

I believe you need to purchase 7 pin connector and wire....as you stated the wiring is already in place for the brake controller in the kick panel.

 

[mquick5]

My 17 has the 4 pin, but the other wires are there.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Michael Sauer]

Thank you for the replies. I was/am hoping the wires are there, as at the dealer said the 7 pin connector is somewhere around $250 bucks. It's hard to believe, but he showed me the prices. As soon as the arctic freeze is over where I live, I plan to get underneath there and look for them. If I do have to purchase a 7 pin connector, is there an alternate place to purchase them besides the dealer?

 

[Dorzak]

Try other shops for the wiring. I haven’t looked into it for our vehicles but when I briefly considered towing with my Patriot adding hitch and controller with no existing wiring was about $200 through U-haul. Also might consider calling places that sell trailers either utility or RV.

 

[Dorzak]

Also some dealers sell the OEM parts online below list price.

 

[JerEazy]

etrailer.com - should sell everything you need to run a 7-pin connector back to the rear.

 

[JerEazy]

https://www.etrailer.com/question-324324.html

here yah go - should be basically the same.

I have a Tekonsha P3 in my glove box that i maybe used 3 times on my Tundra (because the factory IBC was garbage in '16). Shoot me a PM if you want it. We can work something out.

 

[Eagle 71]

Michael, a 7-pin connector is only part of the upgrade, depending on the weight of the trailer you plan to tow. When you add the 7-pin connector, don’t forget all the other parts that need to be there for the increased trailer weight. Parts like a separate transmission cooler, proper hitch, sway bars, and as you mentioned, electric brake control. Your Expedition may have a factory hitch installed, but it may only be rated as a Class III. With the added tongue weight that comes with a heavier trailer load, you may need to upgrade to a Class IV hitch.

Bottom line, if you want to do some heavy-duty towing (>5000-6000 lbs.) you will need to add all of the above. Don’t forget to take into account the payload weight in your Expy and the additional weight of stuff you added to your trailer.

 

[rollinstone]

I had a local shop put in my 7-pin AND controller. Charged me $350. Never had a problem.

 

[chuck s]

Download the 2012 Ford Towing Guide. It will show what's included in the HD Towing Package. For my '07 it included a more robust receiver on the back of the truck, larger engine and transmission radiators, all the wiring, and 3.73 rear axle (LSD?). My '17 gets all that plus the factory brake controller that's at least as competent as my former Prodigy minus the 3.73 axle. The HD radiators, wiring, and brake controller are easy to swap out or fit. The receiver is part of the frame so is more of a challenge.

-- Chuck

 

[Michael Sauer]

Thanks for the information everyone. The most I plan to haul with this an enclosed trailer with two 4-wheelers. I take them to the mountains every year, and this last year was the first time with expedition and I hated not having trailers breaks in the mountains. I have a dura-max for everything else. I will definitely check out etrailer.com for the stuff I need. You've guys have been a great help for sure.

 

[Expy00]

After 4 Suburbans (inc one Yukon XL) we bought and Expedition EL for my wife's daily driver and to be able to haul our 8660 GVW travel trailer. Expedition was the only SUV I could find with the required towing capacity. Even at that, I could not find 4WD with heavy duty towing package locally.

I am installing the Ford Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) as it seems to be at least a good (Probably better) as the top add on brands. I like the clean installation and the fact that it is integrated into the CAN bus with all the other modules. I understand the the TBC plugs into the existing plug behind the left cubby hole.

I will also add the aux transmission cooler and probably an upgraded radiator. Those i have not yet found.

The 2017 with the 3.5L dual turbos has more hp and more torque than my '02 GMC 2500HD. And the 3.73 with the six speed transmission has a much lower combined transmission/axle ratio than he Jimmy with 4.10 axles.

I have not owned many Fords, but I am impressed with this dual forced air six cylinder.

I have not looked for the additional wiring but understand the brake wire at least is included. I hope the "hot" wire to charge the trailer battery is also there. My Expy has the class IV receiver.

 

[Expy00]

So I added the 7-pin receptacle and wired the four existing and Brake wire. (It was capped near the 4-pin connector.) Any ideas where to look for the +12v wire if there is one?

And if it is not there, has anyone tied the +12v into the fuse/breaker box?

What Fuse/Breaker is used for +12 volts to the trailer? I could not identify it in the manual.