Brake controller for Ford Freestar

[David in Fernie]

Thank you very much Francesca, my vehicle is a 2005 Ford Freestar and the old discussions were very useful, Thank's

[Thinh]

Wireless brake controller is GOOD for a towing vehicle with...MULTI trailers as my understanding. About connection the brake controller module RIGHT WITHIN trailer's frame having it's own pros and cons. One advantage is shorter wiring and simplyfing the work. But it might complicate/interfere upon the process of braking system in case of...breaking away with heavy trailers(break-away safety sw). Depending on the design of break-away sws' models, if I were you, I would put that into account before considering any...short-cut. Just my personal opinion. All inputs and feed-backs are really appreciated, I am still on learning process. Thanks for reading.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by David in Fernie

Thank you very much Francesca, my vehicle is a 2005 Ford Freestar and the old discussions were very useful, Thank's

I did realize that your vehicle was a match to the O.P.'s- my reference to changes in electronics was intended to refer to those in brake controllers themselves, which seem to have changed alot in the seven years since I bought mine!

Francesca

[David in Fernie]

Thank you Randy for your suggestions and thoughts, all the best with your trailer brake project

[Thomas G.]

Check out these controllers. Nothing special for Freestar mentioned here.

Brake Controllers with Custom Fit Wiring Harness for 2005 Ford Freestar | etrailer.com

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

... my reference to changes in electronics was intended to refer to those in brake controllers themselves, which seem to have changed alot in the seven years since I bought mine!

More features have appeared, but mostly in the display and controls - basic functionality changes little, and the connections to the tug and trailer haven't changed at all.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Thinh

Wireless brake controller is GOOD for a towing vehicle with...MULTI trailers as my understanding

It's the other way around: radio-linked trailer-mounted controllers - the Prodigy RF is the only example which comes to mind and is the Tekonsha 90250 mentioned earlier - are a good way to equip one trailer which needs to work with various tugs that might not be wired with a brake controller.

Originally Posted by Thinh

About connection the brake controller module RIGHT WITHIN trailer's frame having it's own pros and cons. One advantage is shorter wiring and simplyfing the work. But it might complicate/interfere upon the process of braking system in case of...breaking away with heavy trailers(break-away safety sw).

The Prodigy RF is installed between the trailer's existing 7-pin connector and the tug; the breakaway system continues to work as if a tug-mounted controller were in use.

[David in Fernie]

Thank you very much Tom, the link to etrailer was very good, a further click through
on the wiring needed landed me on a page with an installation video for a Freestar, how good was that !!! So etrailer has the brake sensor lead going to the brake switch. So they have it working with out any problems !!! Great news

[David in Fernie]

Brian, Thank you very much for your thoughts on the subject, and your correct descriptions, I greatly appreciate the impute, David

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

More features have appeared, but mostly in the display and controls - basic functionality changes little, and the connections to the tug and trailer haven't changed at all.

Exactly! And especially in the functionality department.

The supposed innovations are as you say mostly bells and whistles that contribute little to function but greatly inflate the cost.

Perfectly adequate brake controllers can still be had for under a hundred dollars, but folks seldom point out how little the extra cost of more expensive "new/improved" ones equates to performance benefits.

Thanks!

Francesca