Wiring a Brake Controller on a 2013 Ford F150

Updated 01/12/2015 | Published 01/11/2015

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Question:

Good day, Im trying to convert from a flat-4 to a 7-blade connector. I currently own a 2013 F150. I purchased the vehicle used 20k miles on it, and unsure if it has trailer tow package. It has a flat 4inch trailer connector mounted on the rear bumper. Here is my situation: I was able to connect my brake controller to the factory wiring harness under the dash there was a connector on the back of the coin box that accepted the harness to the brake controller. I then went to install the 7-blade connector on the rear of the vehicle. I see where I can plug the flat-4 into the new adapter, but what do I connect the black and blue wires to? I understand the blue is to be connected, somehow, to the brake controller and the black is my constant hot, but given I am now plugged into the factory harness under the dash, where do I make my connection? I looked in both fuse panels under the hood and in the passenger compartment and noticed that there is a fuse in both of them for trailer brake controller. fuse block under hood is 30 amp and passenger compartment fuse block is a 10 amp Sorry to be so confused, I now see that trucks are not what they use to be! Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Chris O

Expert Reply:

Don't be sorry . . . that's what we are here for, and we appreciate you entrusting etrailer.

Since you have a 4-way flat connector at the tail end of your 2013 F150, follow the 4-way flat forward on vehicle. I believe there is a connector along the frame, driver's side and about halfway down the length of the door. There should be the output wires for the 12-volt power as well as the brake controller output. You will need a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the wires in that location. The 12-volt wire will be quite easy to detect but the brake controller output wire will require someone sitting in your truck applying the manual override on the brake controller while you test the wire.

I included a couple other videos for you too.

expert reply by: Chris B