F150 Trailer Brake Controller Comparison! You won't BELIEVE what I find!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ม.ค. 2025
- Let's compare three different trailer brake controllers that supposedly work on an F150! We are going to weigh, open up, and compare each one of these three brake controllers. The first unit is an OEM unit, the second unit is an alleged counterfeit OEM unit, and the last unit is an off branded unit that looks exactly like the OEM unit.
Many people have watched my previous video on installing a trailer brake controller and have commented that the units that they bought, that were significantly cheaper Ford units, do not work correctly. In this video I am going to compare the three of these units so you can make an informed decision for your truck!
The OEM unit was purchased from Tasca Ford. The part number is: JL3Z-2C006-AA
#f150
#ford
#diy
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All videos are for entertainment purposes only. Attempt these projects at your own risk! If you do, make sure you follow all manufacturers instructions!
I just bought a trailer with brakes and wanted to see how to install the actuator. Luckily, I clicked on this video after. I think you may have saved me time and money. Thank you!
You’re welcome! Glad I could help!
I was just about to buy a cheaper one because I didn't see why a "simple" module would cost so much. After seeing this video, it made me realize safety is a bigger factor. Especially when controlling brakes on a 8,000+ lbs trailer, I'd rather go with an OEM part, even if it's used over a counterfeit.
Yes I’m with you on the hauling a large trailer and sticking with OEM. I was surprised at the difference in electronics being so large when I opened them.
Wow i cant believe this only has 600 views.. thank you so much for making this
No problem! Just trying to spread the word. People are better knowing the difference between what you can purchase online for parts.
I'm so glad this video Auto played after watching a video install. I was just about to buy the eBay controller! Thank you for saving me a lot of trouble.
Glad I could help! Some eBay controllers are good. Just make sure you are buying from a reputable Ford dealer.
In SW Ontario, Canada dealer quoted me $400 to buy the part new for my 2016 F150. I went to the local wrecker and got it for $90. Installed it myself, and then went back to dealer and paid $125 for them to program it as I didnt want to mess around wirh forescan.
Not too bad of a price for the programming I guess. Smart grabbing one from a wrecker
I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why I can't get my Expedition to stop saying trailer disconnected. I got an identical counterfeit part from Ebay. I was about to go waste money at the dealership. I also found a guy on reddit that said he used the one with the red wire in it and it drains his battery and works but will not stop saying trailer disconnected but your video solved it for me. Thank you so much.
You are welcome! Did you use FORscan and enable it? A lot of people have reported what you saw. They purchased it, it appears to be working, but when they try and use the foot pedal it doesn't brake.
@SmackeysGarage Yeah I used Forscan. I thought I was doing something wrong because my 2019 expedition max limited only had the "enable trailer brake control" no enable gain setting. It worked for lights and manual brake but every time you squeeze it said trailer disconnected. Gain buttons adjusted gain but immediately said no trailer. It was killing my battery also. It was hot when I removed it.
Great video, brother. I don't have a need for one, but I probably would never have considered how different they would be. This is important because it goes for many other parts as well, not just brake controllers.
Thanks Shane! I was definitely expecting to see something when I weighed them and they were significantly different. Things like this are why I'm always suspect when something is significantly cheaper than usual.
Great video!! I just purchased an oem trailer break controller from eBay but it was from a recycle yard for 65$! Can always go that route as well if you don’t mind used parts!
That’s a good deal off eBay. Recycle yards are definitely a great way to get parts.
Mine was installed many months ago and suddenly started going off every 5 seconds while I was driving. IT DROVE ME NUTS. Sure enough, it was a fake part. Thank you for this video!!
That must have been annoying. Let me guess it was one of the $40-$50 ones? Hopefully this video reaches others before they find the same thing! Thanks for watching!
@SmackeysGarage yup. It said genuine on ebay. The price was too good to be true. Sigh... You get what you pay for.
Yea… sounds like the same one I bought to take apart. I’m doing the same thing now with coils from a 5.4. You can buy them for 60/set online or 70 each from ford.
Darn. How did i miss this video!? I couldn't get mine to work. Now I know why. Oh well... they got me for $43 Thanks for the video
Yep... Send me an email and let me know where you got it from. I'm curious. My email should be on the about page.
Crap, I wish I had seen this video too. Mine off Ebay and has the painted on part number and Phillips screws. It's returnable so it's going back. You likely saved me a burnt down truck. Don't see your email and YouCrapTube won't let me post the sellers name!
One or two people have claimed to get the controllers working (the cheaper one in the video). I personally don't know if I would trust it. I'd say, always better to buy from an OEM supplier. eBay does have OEM trailer brake controllers from legitimate Ford Dealers. Just have to look at the seller name (and price). Glad to help!
Anytime your looking to buy a part with electronics or sensors, go oem. Aftermarket will generally get you. Lesson learned years ago. Pay the extra and save yourself the grief and hassle.
Good advice. I've learned that the hard way too.
I'm glad you opened then up to see the differences. Cheap Chinese knockoffs have been a real problem in the automotive world for quite a long while now. They've even infiltrated the big box stores to a certain degree. It's gotten to the point that if I absolutely need an OEM part, I HAVE to go to the dealership or a Ford part distributer like Tascaparts. You can't trust eBay or Amazon anymore.
I wasn't aware how big of a problem it was becoming even at the big box stores. Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping this video shows what you get if you buy something that is only 25% of the cost trying to save a few dollars. Yes I understand the OEM part is expensive, but if it damages your truck.... It's going to cost a lot more.
Thank you! I went down the same path as others buying from amazon, ebay, and finally a pull part from a salvage yard. I will pretty much guarantee that anything on Amazon or Ebay for these brake controllers is a fake part.
No problem! There are some ford dealers that sell them on eBay. The price is on par with showing up at the dealer though.
Thank you so much for this! I was just about to buy one of those ebay units. You just saved me a big headache and a lot of wasted money.
Glad I could help. There are some ford dealers that sell on eBay as well but they charge normal prices.
Thanks for the video, Factory Ford for me
👍👍👍
Great comparison!👍
Thanks! 👍
I watched your video on how to installed it and got the OEM Ford part about $265 I want my trailer to stop LOL
You made the right choice!!! Stopping is important lol
It makes me wonder how many parts I've purchased over the years that I thought were OEM parts and they could have been knock-off parts. 🤨
Yea it’s crazy. I feel the same. The parts look the same when installed but there are so many big differences between them when you see them side by side.
I guess I’m about to find out what I got off of EBay. It’s on the way and I just watched your video 🤔
Guess I got to you a little too late! Good luck! Most people see them working on the dash but don’t actually actuate the trailer brake with the foot
Great info, thanks!
You are welcome!
Great video.
Thanks!
Useless video unless you would test them to see them work. Thx
Thanks for the feedback. I tried sharing anecdotal information from reviews. I agree with you though, best path would be for me to take apart my truck and try towing with all of them. Maybe a follow up video at some point.
Awesome comparison. I have learned the hard way by buying aftermarket parts. Even thougĥ the OEM costs more it will definitely work. Thanks for sharing. Keep the content coming. Hope you have an incredible weekend. Happy Easter. Much love and RESPECT
Thanks Tim! Yea cost more and almost always works. Great points! Have a good Easter as well!