Installing Trailer Brake Controller on 2011 Ford F-150 with Factory 4-Way Connector

Updated 04/09/2019 | Published 04/07/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(2158)

$90.04

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

(159)

$56.13

40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

(97)

$9.84

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1769)

$279.95

Question:

I have a 20011 f-150 with a 7 pin round adaptor to a flat 4 pin adaptor I need the trailer brakes to work and I found the connector and it only has 4 wires coming out of it instead of 7 and no blue wire to connect the blue wire up for the trailer brakes ?

asked by: Chris B

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your 2011 Ford F-150 came equipped with a factory 4-Way connector. If this is the case then to power a trailer's electric brakes (and install a traditional brake controller) the 4-Way needs to be converted to a fully functional 7-Way.

Since you already plugged in an adapter to give you a 7-Way you will just need to run those additional wires (blue brake output wire that you mentioned and the black 12V wire if needed for a trailer mounted battery). The brake controller, such as the Tekonsha Primus IQ # TK90160, will then need to be hardwired into the truck. For the wiring needed to make this happen you can just use part # 5506 which includes 25 feet of duplex wire and the required circuit breakers and ring terminals. I have attached a diagram to assist.

Another brake controller option that would simplify this install process (and eliminate the need for that blue brake output wire) is with the Curt Echo # C51180. This unique proportional controller simply plugs into the 7-Way on the truck and pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth. It just requires that the 12V pin on the 7-Way is active so this is the only additional wire you would need to run and install.

To do this you would just run a length of 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1 (sold by foot) from the 12V pin on the 7-Way (11 o'clock position at the back of the connector) up to the truck's battery via a 40 amp breaker like # 9510.

I really like this brake controller not only for the easy install process but also because it eliminates the need for a separate unit inside the cab of your truck since your phone is what is used to adjust any settings or activate the manual override.

I have attached a short video demonstration on the Echo that you can also check out.