Integrated Brake Controller - Montana Owners Club

JH Sechelt · 12-27-2005, 02:11 PM

We have a 2005 F350 and our new 2980RL Montana.

The truck came with the Ford built in integrated Brake controller, that normally works very well. But... on this trailer the controller keeps thinking that the trailer has come disconneted. A display comes on the dash saying " trailer disconneted " and sounds a audible alarm.
The trailer is really never disconnected and the brakes,lights and everything work ok even when it says disconnected. This never happened with our other trailer, (same truck). On the last trip the warning came on and off 25 times or so, only stays on for a few seconds. But on the way home ( when it was raining hard), it only came on once or twice. Makes me think it's a grounding problem with the trailer.
Anyone else had a problem like this, or any Ideas???.

Thanks John & Dawn

steves · 12-27-2005, 03:04 PM

I've had the same warning on my brake controller. I stopped and pushed the plug in and the warning cleared. I believe the unit is very sensitive to the connection and I plan on securing the trailers plug connection to the truck with a bungee or heavy rubber band or velcro strap. If it still occurs after I do this then I'll start looking at the ground as you mentioned.

richfaa · 12-27-2005, 03:27 PM

Do a search on the forum on that subject.You most likely have a problem in one of the brakes in the RV as a matter of fact I do not recall a single problem with the TV controller. I had the same problem and the problem was a broken wire to one of the brake magnets..

H. John Kohl · 12-27-2005, 08:27 PM

I think the loose connection is the culprit. I have had my plug work part way loose to where I lost the brakes but the lights still worked. I sure hate it when I go to the brakes and then feel the trailer pushing me. I also am going to use a bungee cord to keep the plug secure in the socket. I even though about a separate twist lock for the brake wiring.
Good luck and Tow Safe.

Jerzy54 · 12-28-2005, 01:57 PM

Hi,
I have exactly the same problem that you described. I think this is either a loose connection in the trailer wiring or a short wire some place. In one instance my break controller showed me the message saying "trailer fault". Let us know if you find anything.

Illini Trekker · 12-28-2005, 03:19 PM

Try looking at this topic

05 Ford Brake controler error messages

Sweetfire · 12-28-2005, 04:38 PM

This may be a little off topic but what settings are people using on the Ford Integrated Brake Controller? The FEMA driver that delivered my 3295RK was driving a Dodge and said he was using a setting of 3 to 4 on his controller (not sure what kind). I've been using 4 to 4.5 and this seems to work fine for me.

Bob Pasternak · 12-28-2005, 04:57 PM

I would wonder how many people have gotten a spray can of "contact cleaner" from Rat Shack and squirted a little on the male and female ends of their trailer plugs. Especially if they're using the bumper mounted one. That one would be the most exposed to corrosive stuff. I have an in-bed mount but I still do it.

sreigle · 12-29-2005, 05:03 PM

Sweetfire, I use 8.0 on mine. It gives me strong stopping power but is still very, very smooth with no banging in the hitch at all. A lot of this depends on the weight of the rig. We're very heavily loaded so a stronger setting is in order.

As Rich said, nearly every one of these "problems" has proved to be a problem with the trailer brake, although SteveS's comment about a loose connection at the trailer connector just might be the problem with yours, too. In any case, it's nice to have a controller smart enough to clue me to a problem before it becomes a serious and dangerous problem ( e.g. accident).

scrowba · 12-31-2005, 02:37 AM

Our Ford Brake controller is set at 7.5.

Sweetfire · 12-31-2005, 06:00 AM

Hmmm? I have been towing a fairly empty Montana so might have to bump it up when fully loaded. Thanks for the feedback.

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