Dealer cannot install Trailer Brake Controller on 2024 PRO Standard Range

[FoxRidgeFarm]

I purchased on December 1st a 2024 SR Lightning Pro, that was built in June of 2024 with the 8th position of the VIB having a "5", meaning it has an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery.

At the time of purchase the salesman (the parts manager)asked and I agreed this truck would suit my needs (use the truck for farming) with a Brake Controller installed and a Spray In bedliner.

I needs did not require the Trailer Tow Technogy or the Max Trailer Tow package. I spend lots of time backing up, and I have large commerical vehicles for hauling heavy loads. Sti

I was informed this week they were having problems installing the brake controller.

Today I went to pickup the truck without the Brake Controller.

I was told Ford engineering decided that the brake controller would only be available on the Extended Range Battery.

The dealeelr is going to refund the option price.

But I have now bought a Truck that will Not Tow the rated 5,500 pounds (unless the trailer has surge brakes, wich is hard on livestock), but only loads under 3,500 pounds.

I can live with the Range of the LFP battery. But Somebat Ford Engineeing said another, but allowed the dealer to sell me the truck!

I am not happy and feel I was taken advantage of my Ford.

Any suggestions?

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[Heliian]

Install an aftermarket trailer brake controller?

There's tons of options out there.

 

[PA Lightning]

My 2022 SR Pro has a brake controller as part of the tow tech package. I would ask them why they say they cannot install one.

 

[KurtsRPMGarage]

Not your question but to my knowledge ford has yet to build lightnings with an lfp battery. That plan has been put on hold for the time being. All lightnings have only been built with the nmc chemistry batteries.

 

[carys98]

Not your question but to my knowledge ford has yet to build lightnings with an lfp battery. That plan has been put on hold for the time being. All lightnings have only been built with the nmc chemistry batteries.

Ford did add the option to the VIN but as you say I haven’t heard of them actually building any trucks with LFP. A 5 in position 8 actually indicates a 5.0 liter V-8.

 

[GarageMahal]

Ford did add the option to the VIN but as you say I haven’t heard of them actually building any trucks with LFP. A 5 in position 8 actually indicates a 5.0 liter V-8.

Interesting... Maybe the VIN has an 'S' which is easy to mistake for a '5'

Its hard to believe this would have any impact on a trailer brake controller.

 

[astrand1]

Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that if you just bought the controller yourself popped out the coin holder there would be a plug (harness) there that the brake controller would plug right into and then use forscan to turn it on it would work fine.

 

[hturnerfamily]

I'm not sure what the battery chemistry has to do with anything to do with a brake controller, trailer lights, or anything else that simply uses the truck's physical brake application to 'control', or send a signal to - the truck doesn't apply the trailer brakes, the trailer does.

Any aftermarket brake controller can be installed just like on any other vehicle in this world... just because it's an 'electric' truck has no bearing on that.

Most of us may have already found that asking Ford or a dealer about anything 'electric' somehow causes confusion - any 4-wd or truck modification shop can easily do it, and they won't question it.

 

[Heliian]

Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that if you just bought the controller yourself popped out the coin holder there would be a plug (harness) there that the brake controller would plug right into and then use forscan to turn it on it would work fine.

It's possible the harness isn't complete all the way back in trucks without the tow tech package. They probably only have a four pin.

 

[astrand1]

It's possible the harness isn't complete all the way back in trucks without the tow tech package. They probably only have a four pin.

Oh yeah it’s possible. I’m just speculating of course, but knowing dealers and how they are it would not surprise me if it’s possible that the OP could do this himself. If I was him I’d pop that coin holder so we can see what we are working with.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Not a farmer myself although I have traveled some rough roads and intend to travel more of them... for towing my brake-equipped teardrop trailer I use the Curt Echo BlueTooth removable trailer brake controller, now for over 10,000 miles of towing the trailer with two separate cars.

It works well, in rain, snow or good weather. The only mod to my Lightning was adding a (very short) ignition switched-ON circuit to the brake pin on the truck receptacle side. I also like that I can effortlessly switch it between vehicles.

I found there is one silly yet important downside to this Curt Echo BlueTooth trailer brake controller: it is so small and handy, it is just too easy to lay the black Echo on the black bumper while parking the disconnected trailer, and then just forget it is there and drive off. I wrapped the center of the Curt Echo with bright yellow safety tape to visually prevent that.

 

[PrimeRisk]

I purchased on December 1st a 2024 SR Lightning Pro, that was built in June of 2024 with the 8th position of the VIB having a "5", meaning it has an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery.

At the time of purchase the salesman (the parts manager)asked and I agreed this truck would suit my needs (use the truck for farming) with a Brake Controller installed and a Spray In bedliner.

I needs did not require the Trailer Tow Technogy or the Max Trailer Tow package. I spend lots of time backing up, and I have large commerical vehicles for hauling heavy loads. Sti

I was informed this week they were having problems installing the brake controller.

Today I went to pickup the truck without the Brake Controller.

I was told Ford engineering decided that the brake controller would only be available on the Extended Range Battery.

The dealeelr is going to refund the option price.

But I have now bought a Truck that will Not Tow the rated 5,500 pounds (unless the trailer has surge brakes, wich is hard on livestock), but only loads under 3,500 pounds.

I can live with the Range of the LFP battery. But Somebat Ford Engineeing said another, but allowed the dealer to sell me the truck!

I am not happy and feel I was taken advantage of my Ford.

Any suggestions?

Ford is completely incompetent here. I have a '24 Lariat ER *with* the Towing Tech package, but in the '24s they deleted the controller from the package, so I have all of the tech EXCEPT the brake controller. All of the dealers and Ford themselves tell you that it can't be added. You can find the part (switch plus controller box) that is put in '24 models with the Max Tow Package, but the parts site and dealers will tell you that it can't be installed.

Others on the site have got the part and put it in themselves, but it MUST be enabled with the Forscan tool.

 

[Heliian]

Ford is completely incompetent here

Not incompetent, it's intentional.

All manufacturers don't want to waste time and money customizing every single vehicle.

 

[TaxmanHog]

FORD, you're building TRUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Tesla BS

 

[FoxRidgeFarm]

Interesting... Maybe the VIN has an 'S' which is easy to mistake for a '5'

Its hard to believe this would have any impact on a trailer brake controller.

Here is my VIN 1FTVW1BK4RWG22510 and Sticker

Some info https://fordauthority.com/2024/08/heres-how-to-tell-if-your-ford-ev-has-an-lfp-battery-video/

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