Ford 2008 Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (Long)

[dz06]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I don't want to replace the ITBC. I want it to work without errors to tow my Mobile suites with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes. In my case it seems to function ok, but gives "Trailer Disconnect" message on DIC and then flashes red on ITBC.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Working with Ford Dealers and Ford Customer Relations has been unproductive. The service managers at dealerships seem to really want to help, but have no expertise or access to real technical support. They call the Ford Tech Line and rarely get any useful information. I feel I know more about their ITBC than the techs on Ford Tech Line.

Dealerships point out they are a franchise. As a franchise they can only contact Ford Tech Line for support. Ford Customer Relations says I must go thru a dealership for support. No one, it seems can reach a level where they can converse with a knowledgeable engineer for support or a senior Ford executive to find out why Ford won't support Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes. In fact I have not been able to get Ford to say if it is safe/unsafe to use their ITBC with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes.

Ford advertizesto get their F450 to tow big. Towing big usually means towing with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes. Dealer who sold me 2008 F450 knew I was going to buy Mobile Suites with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes and did not advise that the Ford ITBC would not work without errors.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I think Ford should be required to notify purchaser that their ITBC is not compatible with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes. I now know that the brochure does have a tiny footnote that the ITBC is verified to work with Electric Drum Brakes. Your owners manual has a more detailed exclusionary type statement about Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes, but you normally get that after purchase.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] It galls me to read all the glowing articles on the new Ford 2008 with ITBC. There is never a mention of the fact that Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes are not supported.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] BrakeSmart seems, to be able with their limited resources, to develope a system that utilizes Ford master brake cylinder pressure to control trailer brakes of both Electric Drum and Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes.

Carlisle who makes the Hydraulic Actuator for my trailer wants to engineer their Actuator to work with the Ford ITBC, but Ford will not work with them or provide any information as to what Carlisle should change to be compatible with the Ford ITBC.

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Now to the point. Is there any hope of Ford resolving problems with 2008 ITBC to work with Electric Over Hydaulic Disc Brakes? Does anyone know why Ford seems to be ignoring this issue (market)? Is it safe/unsafe to tow trailer with Electric Over Hydraulic Disc?

[88beast]

"Working with Ford Dealers and Ford Customer Relations has been unproductive. The service managers at dealerships seem to really want to help, but have no expertise or access to real technical support. They call the Ford Tech Line and rarely get any useful information. I feel I know more about their ITBC than the techs on Ford Tech Line."dz06

you should have suspected something like that its big business.

most people just get a new controler but if it comes stock go to a large truck shop and ask them to run a diagnosis with the trailer hooked up and the error code on they may be able to clear the error code with their snazzy snap-on diagnostic tools they should be able to help you and most shops dont charge for just a check only to fix so it may not even cost a thing

i do not know if anyone has tried this before and i do not own one personaly but i do know that the new fords computers control everything and that should include the tow controler

[wingnut60]

I am lucky with my '05 MS--it has only electric brakes and the IBC works just fine. Have you checked the following forums:

http://www.suitesowners.com/index.php

http://www.5thwheelforums.com/

for discussions of the Ford controller with Mobile Suites?

[jimmy]

Have you tried splicing the cheapest brake magent you can find into the wire to brake pump unit feed from truck?
A friend of mine with an 06 F350 with ITBC did that to a big horse trailer he has with EOH brakes and he has not had any trouble since.
The magnet makes the ITBC happy and the voltage varies with different braking levels and that makes his EOH pump unit happy.
The pump unit is WAY back in a side storage compartment and I have not seen it well enough to ID it and he doesn't know which one it is either.
The prodigy and ford's ITBC (and maybe others) send out current pulses that are for diagnostic reasons and with no load those signals are high enough voltage to mess with the circuit in EOH pump. The magnet is a load and will suppress the diagnostic signal and create a varying voltage that pleases the EOH system.

I spliced the magent in for him and checked volatge before and after.

Before there was a cyclic voltage and his ITBC said trailer discinnected and his EOH pump would cyclically run.

After magnet was spliced the cyclic voltage was gone adn when the engine is started and the voltage monitored with a voltmeter on brake wire to trailer, it had a voltage that varied when lever was slid over for manual apply. EOH pump would run with varying intensity deoending on manual lever position.

[dz06]

[ QUOTE ]
I am lucky with my '05 MS--it has only electric brakes and the IBC works just fine. Have you checked the following forums:

http://www.suitesowners.com/index.php

http://www.5thwheelforums.com/

for discussions of the Ford controller with Mobile Suites?

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]Posted several times on 5thwheelforums and RVNet. Suiteowners forum is pretty inactive so I did not post on it. I'll check the Suiteowners forum tonight. Thanks for the suggestions.

[dz06]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried splicing the cheapest brake magent you can find into the wire to brake pump unit feed from truck?



[/ QUOTE ]

The Actuator is manufactured by Carlisle on my FW. Carlisle has built a module for compatibility with Ford ITBCs 2007 and earlier, but it does not work with 2008 ITBC. Thanks for the suggestion. I think you're on the right track, but more information is needed from Ford.

Ford are you listening to your customers? We need help!