New Ranger
 

I have ordered my Ranger with the tow package.
I do not tow too often but with the increased capacity I may find more uses for it.
I do have a question though for some of you more experienced with the package. I understand the truck will need a brake controller for trailer brakes.
Does the Ford package come complete with wiring harness to attach this controller or is that something additional I need?
It does come with the frame mounted receiver and the 7 wire harness.
Any info will be appreciated.
Countdown 13 days until my truck is delivered......getting anxious.

Congratulations on the new Ranger

Yes, the electric brake wiring for the 7 wire trailer connector is in drivers kick panel, there will be 4 unconnected wires, the brake controller you buy will have 4 wire connector with instructions on how to connect theses

7 wire connector at the rear of truck is wired like this: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...hicle_side.JPG

You may want to make or buy adapters

4 wire is the most common on trailers that have tongue brakes, seen here: https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...er/A-p8305534e

5 wire on trailers with electric brakes, seen here: https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...er/A-p8381097e


The 7 wire is good for larger trailers that need backup lights and have 12volt lights inside or a 12volt battery that you can charge while driving

Thanks for the info. Now you mentioned "tongue" brakes and "electric " brakes.
I am not familiar with those terms. I assumed that the trailers which had brakes needed the controller to sync the vehicle with the trailer when applying brakes.
I do not understand what a tongue brake is.

A tongue brake, also called surge brake, has a small master cylinder on the trailers tongue with a hydraulic line back to the trailers brake shoes
Looks like this inside: https://i.stack.imgur.com/KKrhT.gif
But looks like this on the outside: https://www.boattrailerparts.com/ass...mco%20da86.jpg

When trailer is connected to a vehicle, as it is being pull there is no pressure on the master so brakes are off, as the vehicle slows the weight of the trailer pushes on vehicle and tongue, this pushes in the piston of master and applies some trailer brakes, the more/harder the vehicle brakes the more/harder the trailer brakes
Pretty simple setup and works quite well
Most rental trailers have these types of brakes

There is usually a cable on a release pin on the master, cable is hooked to the vehicle, if trailer some how separates from vehicle the pin is pulled out by the cable and master applies full braking to stop the trail as soon as possible

Tongue brakes on a trailer can be a pain if you need to back up a trailer UP HILL, lol, so there is often a way to disable the tongue from sliding so no brakes


Electric trailer brakes can be used as drag brakes when going down longer grades and can be used when backing up downhill, and you can turn them off backing up, up hill :)

Larger trailers need electric brakes

Thanks again. You have made it very easy to understand.