The 2021 Bronco Tow Package | Do-It-Yourself

So this brings up an interesting question. The factory installed hitch DOES NOT come with trailer brake capability but this after market does so... Can you add an aftermarket trailer brake controller to your Bronco if you order the factory tow package? Inquiring minds (and those who ordered the factory tow package) want to know ;-)

Jalgieri

So this brings up an interesting question. The factory installed hitch DOES NOT come with trailer brake capability but this after market does so... Can you add an aftermarket trailer brake controller to your Bronco if you order the factory tow package? Inquiring minds (and those who ordered the factory tow package) want to know ;-)

I also want to know. From what I understand, trailer breaks require a 7 pin connector. The parts list provided by @Laura only has a 4 pin connector. Even though her list contains a break controller, I see no way that these parts are compatible. The value proposition for me in getting the tow package from the factory is so that the wiring would be installed at the factory for a 4 pin and a 7 pin plug. There has been discussion that a seven pin connection with trailer brakes is not needed for trailers weighing less than 3500 pounds. I get the argument but I think it's dumb. I want the option to connect trailer brakes to anything i towing. It's safer. Give me all of the options and let me choose what I think is best in any given situation. Whatever skewed logic was used to determine that no seven pin connector would be offered or pre-wired in any bronco is short sighted.

dirty finger

I also want to know. From what I understand, trailer breaks require a 7 pin connector. The parts list provided by @Laura only has a 4 pin connector. Even though her list contains a break controller, I see no way that these parts are compatible. The value proposition for me in getting the tow package from the factory is so that the wiring would be installed at the factory for a 4 pin and a 7 pin plug. There has been discussion that a seven pin connection with trailer brakes is not needed for trailers weighing less than 3500 pounds. I get the argument but I think it's dumb. I want the option to connect trailer brakes to anything i towing. It's safer. Give me all of the options and let me choose what I think is best in any given situation. Whatever skewed logic was used to determine that no seven pin connector would be offered or pre-wired in any bronco is short sighted.

If you are not mechanically inclined... order the hitch WITH your Bronco. I installed the Ford hitch and 4 pin connector on my BaseSquatch this past weekend. Took a good 4 1/2 - 5 hours start to finish. Granted, there were breaks throughout. I used the wire harness install instructions (downloaded from that other Bronco site where I get in too much trouble :mad:) and aside from them telling me to connect this color wire to that color wire, the instructions were garbage. It literally took longer popping off interior panels (hoping they wouldn't snap) than the actual install. Keep in mind you need to pop off 2 exterior/painted panels to get the left tail light off as well. When it's all said and done, it's not that bad, but can be daunting if done by yourself (I had 2 other people helping me, putting our heads together). I'd say if you can order from factory, do that, less stressful!

On the other point, I've never used a trailer with brakes, so I'm not one to say anything about that, but from what I understand, yes the 7 pin is required for the brakes, and everything I've seen so far, Ford isn't offering the 7 pin connector through their parts department. Though it is possible that if you order the brake controller, maybe it comes with the 7 pin connector?:unsure:

EvlNvrDys

If you are not mechanically inclined... order the hitch WITH your Bronco. I installed the Ford hitch and 4 pin connector on my BaseSquatch this past weekend. Took a good 4 1/2 - 5 hours start to finish. Granted, there were breaks throughout. I used the wire harness install instructions (downloaded from that other Bronco site where I get in too much trouble :mad:) and aside from them telling me to connect this color wire to that color wire, the instructions were garbage. It literally took longer popping off interior panels (hoping they wouldn't snap) than the actual install. Keep in mind you need to pop off 2 exterior/painted panels to get the left tail light off as well. When it's all said and done, it's not that bad, but can be daunting if done by yourself (I had 2 other people helping me, putting our heads together). I'd say if you can order from factory, do that, less stressful!

On the other point, I've never used a trailer with brakes, so I'm not one to say anything about that, but from what I understand, yes the 7 pin is required for the brakes, and everything I've seen so far, Ford isn't offering the 7 pin connector through their parts department. Though it is possible that if you order the brake controller, maybe it comes with the 7 pin connector?:unsure:

Thanks for the feedback on the install. Initially I was not going to get the towing package because it is unbelievably overpriced in my opinion. I've always gone aftermarket on the hitch and knew the AM could beat the towing price by a good margin which is exactly what happened. Once I heard about the PWM wiring system and there not really being a true plug and play AM wiring harness, I decided to order from the factory. To save $200-$300 on a $60K vehicle just didn't make much sense to me. Half the time when I try to save a few bucks by doing it myself, I end up breaking something else or it takes twice as long as anticipated. The added stress wasn't worth it.

dirty finger

I also want to know. From what I understand, trailer breaks require a 7 pin connector. The parts list provided by @Laura only has a 4 pin connector. Even though her list contains a break controller, I see no way that these parts are compatible. The value proposition for me in getting the tow package from the factory is so that the wiring would be installed at the factory for a 4 pin and a 7 pin plug. There has been discussion that a seven pin connection with trailer brakes is not needed for trailers weighing less than 3500 pounds. I get the argument but I think it's dumb. I want the option to connect trailer brakes to anything i towing. It's safer. Give me all of the options and let me choose what I think is best in any given situation. Whatever skewed logic was used to determine that no seven pin connector would be offered or pre-wired in any bronco is short sighted.

If you go out to the Ford site and configure a new Bronco you will see, when you get to the option for ordering the factory hitch if you look at the "details", it claims that it comes with both 4 and 7 pin wiring.

EvlNvrDys

If you are not mechanically inclined... order the hitch WITH your Bronco. I installed the Ford hitch and 4 pin connector on my BaseSquatch this past weekend. Took a good 4 1/2 - 5 hours start to finish. Granted, there were breaks throughout. I used the wire harness install instructions (downloaded from that other Bronco site where I get in too much trouble :mad:) and aside from them telling me to connect this color wire to that color wire, the instructions were garbage. It literally took longer popping off interior panels (hoping they wouldn't snap) than the actual install. Keep in mind you need to pop off 2 exterior/painted panels to get the left tail light off as well. When it's all said and done, it's not that bad, but can be daunting if done by yourself (I had 2 other people helping me, putting our heads together). I'd say if you can order from factory, do that, less stressful!

On the other point, I've never used a trailer with brakes, so I'm not one to say anything about that, but from what I understand, yes the 7 pin is required for the brakes, and everything I've seen so far, Ford isn't offering the 7 pin connector through their parts department. Though it is possible that if you order the brake controller, maybe it comes with the 7 pin connector?:unsure:

The towing package claims 4/7 pin wire harness prewire.

Jalgieri

If you go out to the Ford site and configure a new Bronco you will see, when you get to the option for ordering the factory hitch if you look at the "details", it claims that it comes with both 4 and 7 pin wiring.

From the factory, it does…

Jalgieri

View attachment 21744
View attachment 21744

Yes, ordering from factory does get you the 7-pin connector. Ordering from Ford Parts is only 4-pin. My thought is maybe if you order the trailer brake controller from Ford Parts maybe it comes with 7-pin but I really don't know. And sadly, Base doesn't have tow available. Which is why I did on my own. It wasn't fun, but is do-able.

Just to give everyone an idea.... this was my Bronco this past Saturday! :oops:

Something I didn’t see mentioned; if you go the factory tow route not only do you get both the 7 and 4 pin connectors but it also makes the factory brake controller plug and play. Granted, the brake controller isn’t included but that’s where I plan to spend my points. Most small campers, even those below 3500 lbs, are 7 pin and utilize trailer brakes.

dirty finger

I also want to know. From what I understand, trailer breaks require a 7 pin connector. The parts list provided by @Laura only has a 4 pin connector. Even though her list contains a break controller, I see no way that these parts are compatible. The value proposition for me in getting the tow package from the factory is so that the wiring would be installed at the factory for a 4 pin and a 7 pin plug. There has been discussion that a seven pin connection with trailer brakes is not needed for trailers weighing less than 3500 pounds. I get the argument but I think it's dumb. I want the option to connect trailer brakes to anything i towing. It's safer. Give me all of the options and let me choose what I think is best in any given situation. Whatever skewed logic was used to determine that no seven pin connector would be offered or pre-wired in any bronco is short sighted.

Yeah, I'm not sure if a 7 pin connector will become available from Ford on accessories.ford.com, but at the time of publishing, that's all that they had. I'm not familiar enough with towing past what was in the article, so I'll defer to people who have actually used their hitch mount!

My experience with wiring - I wanted to add marker lights on a 2004 Dodge Pickup 2500, I purchased the wiring harness and light kit from Dodge it plugged right in . The wiring in the 1500 , 2500 and 3500 is the same . In the 3500 they plug the part I bought in and install the lights thru the roof. Hardest part taking that drill to that brand new roof.

Adding a 7 Pin connector to a 2014 JKU that had a tow package. Bought the wiring harness it plugged right in no issues. The hassle running the blue wire up to the cab to connect the break controller.

"Most" small trailers do not have brakes. That does not mean you cannot get brakes to put on your small trailer and improve the safety of towing a trailer especially in the mountains.

They sell an 4 pin to 7 adapter but that does not get you brakes or backup lights.

I prefer 7 pin as I like backup lights ( you have to add them to most small trailers) and brakes ( again you may have to add).

Good info. Just installed Draw-tite$118 no brainer. But what I see is Ford 3500# factory receiver is Class II. $118 gets Class III 4500# Raptor grade. Oil cooler I believe is standard due to ego boost and 10 speed ESOF.

Watch electric tail lights, base has hallogen, upscale has led different wiring.

It was reported 2022 had standard trailer sway control, which is part of ESC, but OM says features has menu under tow to turn off. Called Ford and got case number, but will check with dealer next week. NADA help!

In a video, if you have F150 it says use ESC and hold button down 5 seconds and all, traction, stablization and sway controls will will be disable( see OM).

THEIR IS A 40 AMP FUSE in my Base MY2022 and in Sport a video, says it is wired into harness behind glove box. (10 gauge hot red direct to battery?)

Ford brake controller may be the way to go. See subject here for installing on factory tow pkg.

Bottom line. No ego boost is going to tow what my G5 Eddie Baurer V8 did. But just ordered Defender which , in 4 door is rated for 8201# and only has a 2.0L twin spooled turbo, like Ego boost 2.3L. the 3.73 rear may be the issue and the low torque 10R60 Explorer 10 speed. Defender has ZF8 (Benz tyoe) Saw a newish Explorer STS with a 6500# CLASS IV pkg, but had big V6.

My back ups are 2004 Explorer 4.6L (no problems towed 6500 tandum axel 25' twin engine boats ,but upgraded to 5.7L Expeditions.And RRS 7700# rated and the receiver is two piece, one part hidden behind bumper.

Lastly my G5 Eddie Bauer ran out of gas with 1/4 tank trailing 23' travel camper with weight distribution receiver. Issue was wheel base was too small and rear springs too soft. Had to keep gas over 1/2 tank .

Live and learn. I would recommend a Ford dealer does wiring on first 3 years, otherwise I did a Draw- lite on a 1999 Explorer , then flat tow by Campers World and was towed by 36' Diesel pusher. Only issue was going over railroad crossing, the Explorer jumped the ball and saw in side mirror. A state trooper help me bend cheep tow front receiver , but found Blue Ox in campground, and was on my way. Buy high grade tow parts. The Draw-tile never let me down, just cheep 2" ball.Draw-tite says Made in Mexico, just like Ford Sport!