Trailer Brake Controller Installation For a 2015 Ford Explorer

Updated 02/03/2016 | Published 02/02/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3398)

$119.76

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(494)

$45.09

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1793)

$18.94

Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

(659)

$58.57

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6644)

$165.67

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$13.03

Question:

First off, this website is a wealth of information, keep up the good work. After watching the Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2014 Ford Explorer video, I have a question. Isnt the connector under the dash that he splices into a factory trailer brake controller connection? It sure looks like the mate to Tekonsha #3035-P. If so, are all Explorers wired for brake controllers? Are other parts of the equation missing? Id really like to be able to buy Tekonsha #118272, #3035-P and the Prodigy P3 controller and be done. Please tell me its that easy!

asked by: David M

Expert Reply:

If your 2015 Ford Explorer has a factory 7-way all you would need is the part # 3035-P to install a brake controller like the part # 90195.

If you do not have any trailer wiring you would need to first install a 4-way like the part # 118540.

Now here's where it gets interesting. In the video you mentioned (that I also attached a link to) our installer uses a factory brake controller port to tap into the brake signal but then hardwires the rest of the install. It looks like the rest of the wires for the connector are present on this connector, but our installer wouldn't have ran the rest of the wires for fun. Most likely he test the other pins of the connector and they weren't active so that is why he hardwired the brake controller. He no longer works here so I can't ask him though.

What you can do is use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the pins of the same connector (if yours has it) to see if all of the pins are active. You would need to find one that has a constant 12 volt power source and one that has 12 volts only when brakes are applied. If that check out then you could use it and the part # 3035-P to install your controller.

You would still need the part # 37185 for a 7-way adapter and 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot) to route the wire to the 7-way.

Otherwise you would need to use the # ETBC7 like the video shows.