Trailer Brake Controller Parts and Installation on 2013 Ford Expedition with Factory 4-Pole

Updated 02/04/2015 | Published 02/03/2015

Products Featured in This Question

12-10 Gauge Butt Connector

(23)

$0.82

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.61

40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

(98)

$9.89

Question:

I am looking at the Brake Controller 90195,3034-P and a 7-way Hopkins 47185 for my 2013 Ford Expedition. I have a four way plug currently. In the wiring harness for the four-way, there is a wire that is taped off that is labeled Electric Brake, however I cannot seem to find the Brake Controller under the dash by the OBD port. Do you know where the plug is located on a 2013 Ford Expedition? Also, I do have a 30A fuse in the fuse box labeled Trailer Tow Battery Charge Relay- does this mean I should have a 12-volt power by the 4 way plug? I dont see any other wires taped off except for the electric brake. Do you know if my vehicle is wired for a 12 volt power for a 7 way plug? Thanks.

asked by: Grant S

Expert Reply:

You have made an excellent choice in a trailer brake controller with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3, part # 90195. This is among the most versatile, reliable and easy-to-use trailer brake controllers on the market and it is highly rated by our customers who use it. The quick-install harness # 3034-P will help make installation simpler.

The harness plugs in between the controller and the connector under the dash. This is often tucked or taped up out of the way above/behind the OBD-II port. The connector is usually grey in color and more or less square in shape.

In your application the blue output wire from the controller may need to be run directly back to the 7-way # 37185. You can use 10-gauge wire # 10-1-1 which is sold by the foot. This blue wire will connect to the blue wire at the back of the controller (cut and splice using a butt connector # 05732-2) and connect to the blue lead on # 37185. This will apply UNLESS there is a blue wire at the back bumper that you can confirm is the same blue wire at the connector under the dash. If there is a blue wire present then this means Ford ran the brake output circuit wiring for you even though the vehicle only had a 4-pole.

A 4-pole does not include 12V trailer power. There is a black wire lead on the 37185 that is intended to connect to the battery hot terminal through a 40-amp circuit breaker. This circuit delivers a 12V charging current for the trailer's battery. You can use circuit breaker # 9510. The only way to know that your Expedition is wired for trailer 12V power is to find a pink or red wire at the back of the vehicle or along its frame rail.

The linked article on brake controllers will be helpful to you for your installation. I also included one on trailer wiring to help illustrate how 7-way connectors are typically configured.

expert reply by: Adam R