Ford Transit (2018 year). Manual — part 44

When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a correctly fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Some seven-position
connectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,
which confirms that it is the correct wiring
connector and works correctly with your
vehicle.

Function

Color

Left turn signal and brake
lamp.

Yellow

Ground (-).

White

Electric brakes.

Blue

Right turn signal and brake
lamp.

Green

Battery (+).

Orange

Running lamps.

Brown

Reverse lamps.

Grey

Tow Hitch

WARNINGS

Do not exceed the lowest rating
capacity for your vehicle or trailer
hitch. Overloading your vehicle or

trailer hitch can impair your vehicle stability
and handling. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.

Do not cut, drill, weld or modify the
trailer hitch. Modifying the trailer
hitch could reduce the hitch rating.

Do not use a tow hitch that either clamps
on to the bumper or attaches to the axle.
You must distribute the load in your trailer
so that between 10% and 15% of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue.

Weight Distributing Hitches

A weight distribution hitch is not
recommended for use with your vehicle.

Safety Chains

Always connect the safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of your vehicle's
tow hitch.

To connect the safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.

Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.

Trailer Brakes

(If Equipped)

WARNING

Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle

may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.

Electric, manual, automatic or surge-type
trailer brakes are safe if you install them
correctly and adjust them to the
manufacturer's specifications. Trailer
brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.

The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.

Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1,500 lb
(680 kg) when loaded.

Integrated Trailer Brake Controller

WARNING

Use the integrated trailer brake
controller to properly adjust the
trailer brakes and check all

connections before towing a trailer. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death.

B

A

E163166

Gain adjustment buttons.

A

Manual control lever.

B

When used correctly, the trailer brake
controller assists in smooth and effective
trailer braking by powering the trailer’s
electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes
with a proportional output based on the
towing vehicle’s brake pressure

Slide the manual control lever to the left
to turn on the trailer's electric brakes. They
work independently of the tow vehicle's
braking system. See Procedure for
Adjusting the Gain Setting for
instructions on correct use of this feature.
If you use the manual control while the
brake is also applied, the greater of the two
inputs determines the power sent to the
trailer brakes.

1.

Press the + and - buttons to adjust the
brake controller's power output to the
trailer brakes in 0.5 increments. You
can increase the gain setting to 10
(maximum trailer braking) or decrease
it to zero (no trailer braking). Pressing
and holding a button raises or lowers
the setting continuously.

The gain setting displays in the
information display as:

Message

Trailer Brake

Gain:

Note: Using the manual control lever
illuminates the trailer's brake lamps and
your vehicle's brake lamps, except the
center high-mounted brake lamp, if you
make the correct electrical connection to
the trailer.

The controller shows gain setting, output bar graph and the trailer connectivity
status in the information display as follows:

Action and Description

Message

Displays the current gain setting during a given ignition cycle
and when adjusting the gain setting. This also displays if you
use the manual control lever or make gain adjustments with
no trailer connected.

Trailer Brake

Gain:

No Trailer

Displays when you press your vehicle's brake pedal, or upon
use of the manual control lever. Bar indicators illuminate in
the information display to indicate the amount of power going
to the trailer brakes relative to the brake pedal or manual
control input. One bar indicates the least amount of output;
six bars indicate maximum output.

Trailer Brake

Gain:

Output:

Displays when the system senses a correct trailer wiring
connection during a given ignition cycle. For example a trailer
with electric trailer brakes.

Trailer Connected

Displays when the system senses a trailer connection and
then a disconnection, either intentional or unintentional,
during a given ignition cycle, this is accompanied by a single
audible tone. It also displays if a vehicle or trailer-wiring fault
occurs causing the trailer to appear disconnected. This
message can also display if you use the manual control lever
without a trailer connected.

Trailer Disconnected

Procedure for Adjusting the Gain Setting

The gain setting sets the trailer brake
controller for the specific towing condition.
You should change the setting as towing
conditions change. Changes to towing
conditions include trailer load, vehicle load,
road conditions and weather.

The gain should be set to provide the
maximum trailer braking assistance while
making sure the trailer wheels do not lock
when using the brakes. Locked trailer
wheels may lead to trailer instability.

Note: Only carry out this procedure in a
traffic-free environment at speeds of
approximately 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h).

1.

Make sure the trailer brakes are in good
working condition, functioning normally
and correctly adjusted. See a trailer
dealer if necessary.

2. Hook up the trailer and make the

electrical connections according to the
trailer manufacturer's instructions.

3. Use the gain adjustment + and -

buttons to increase or decrease the
gain setting to the desired starting
point. A gain setting of six is a good
starting point for heavier loads.

4. In a traffic-free environment, tow the

trailer on a dry, level surface at a speed
of 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h) and slide
the manual control lever completely.

5. If the trailer wheels lock, indicated by

squealing tires, reduce the gain setting.
If the trailer wheels turn freely, increase
the gain setting. Repeat steps four and
five until the gain setting is at a point

just below trailer wheel lock. If towing
a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lock may
not be attainable even with the
maximum gain setting of 10.

System Warning Messages

Action and Description

Message

Displays in response to faults sensed by the trailer brake
controller, accompanied by a single tone. If this message
appears, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible
for diagnosis and repair. The controller may still function, but
performance may be degraded.

Trailer Brake Module
Fault

Displays when there is a short circuit on the electric brake
output wire. If the message displays, accompanied by a single
tone, with no trailer connected, the problem is with your
vehicle wiring between the trailer brake controller and the 7-
pin connector. If the message only displays with a trailer
connected, the problem is with the trailer wiring. Consult a
trailer dealer for assistance. This can be a short to ground,
for example a chaffed wire, short to voltage, for example a
pulled pin on trailer emergency breakaway battery or the
trailer brakes may be drawing too much current.

Wiring Fault on Trailer

Note: An authorized dealer can diagnose the trailer brake controller to determine exactly
which trailer fault has occurred. However, the Ford Warranty does not cover this diagnosis
if the fault is with the trailer.

Points to Remember

•

Do not attempt removal of the trailer
brake controller without consulting the
Workshop Manual. Damage to the unit
may result.

•

Adjust gain setting before using the
trailer brake controller for the first time.

•

Adjust gain setting, using the procedure
above, whenever road, weather and
trailer or vehicle loading conditions
change from when the gain was initially
set.

•

Only use the manual control lever for
correct adjustment of the gain during
trailer setup. Misuse, such as
application during trailer sway, could
cause instability of trailer or tow
vehicle.

•

Avoid towing in adverse weather
conditions. The trailer brake controller
does not provide anti-lock control of
the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can
lock up on slippery surfaces, resulting
in instability of trailer or tow vehicle.