Adding 7-Way and Brake Controller on a 2001 Ford F-150 with Factory 4-Way Trailer Connector

Updated 06/27/2014 | Published 06/26/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Ford Replacement OEM Tow Package Wiring Harness, 7-Way

(290)

$84.55

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

(1793)

$18.95

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Question:

I dont believe I have the tow package for my 01 F150 XLT 4.2L V6. I have installed a frame hitch and I have a flat 4 plug. Does my truck accept the 118242 connector and will the extra two wires blue and orange at the frontside of my truck plug at the rear of the truck carry through the 118242? I have heard that I may have to splice into these two wires to get brake and battery charging to the 7 pin plug. Thank you

asked by: Scott L

Helpful Expert Reply:

If your 2001 Ford F-150 has the factory 4-Way flat trailer connector then you can use harness # 118242 to add a 7-Way. Once plugged in in place of the 4-Way harness and after the included relays and fuses are installed then it will be fully functional including the orange and blue wires.

You would only have to splice into them if you were hardwiring in a 7-Way. But for your truck and year you can just plug in this harness.

The orange wire will be active and the blue wire will be ready for action (for electric trailer brakes). But to make the trailer brakes work you would also need a brake controller and the correct harness for the truck to plug it in. I recommend the P2 # 90885 with harness # 3035-P. The P2 is easy to set up and use and it is reliable.

I have linked videos showing installation of the harness and brake controller on a 2001 F-150 for you.

expert reply by: Michael H