Another Brake Controller Question 08 Mountaineer Premier

[Someday I Suppos]

Hey guys, new here and sorry if this has been asked a million times. I recently picked up a used 08 Mountaineer Premier with a factory tow package in it, but for the life of me can't find the brake controller connector under the dash.

Everything I have read seems to indicate it should be behind the glove box, but haven't found it yet. I did see one post where someone mentioned a remote starter maybe being plugged into that port as an easy place to pick up power... might go looking for that next.

Any help would be great.

 

[thebrakeman]

Never heard of a brake control plug on the passenger side, since you need the brake controller on the driver's side.

Your '08 should be the same as my '06. It's on the driver's side, just to the right of the parking brake pedal, and maybe 3-4 inches forward of the visible plastic trim. It's a 6-port socket, that will probably only have 4 wires going to it. The opening of the socket faces to the front of the vehicle, such that your pigtail will be pressed in from the front, pushing back toward the driver's seat.

Any excess pigtail, I am able to push up into the cavity in front of the park brake release handle. Lots of open area up in there, and it won't be close to the steering wheel linkages.

 

[skeeter123]

The brake controller plug on my 2002 Exp XLT v8 w/towing package is on passenger-side; tucked up behind glove box, next to blend-door vacuum valves.... the vehicle-specific adapter cable I bought with the controller (from E-Trailer.com) was plenty long enough for me to mount the controller under the driver's side dash, kind of in line with the gas pedal....

 

[Someday I Suppos]

Brakeman, thanks for the feedback, I'll try to take a quick look tonight. I may have missed it with it facing rear like that, I was expecting something that was hanging free.

Another buddy of mine took a look at the EVTM which states it should be to the left of the steering column near the smart junction box which is consitent with where it is on your 06.


Skeeter, thanks as well on confirming I am not crazy, I had the glovebox down, the vac lines are there, the radio antenna, etc. but couldn't find the connector, maybe they moved them back to the driver side with the update?

-Scott

 

[Someday I Suppos]

Got it!!!!

Took another look tonight, Brakeman thanks again, it was pretty much where you said it would be, but was up under the plastic a bit, and hanging vertical, so the plug will push up into it.

Thanks again!

 

[thebrakeman]

Sounds like the same place, but they changed the orientation.
I forgot that the '02-'05 still had a column shifter, so there would be an easier passage for the pigtail from passenger to driver's side.

I'm considering shortening my pigtail so I don't have to stuff so much into the dash. I have one specific for my Prodigy, that has the Ford plug at 1 end, and the Prodigy plug at the other end (no butt-connectors). But it's a good 3 feet long. I probably need less than 12 inches.

I put my controller just under the headlight switches. When the door is closed, the door handle is a little close, but as long as you don't need to fiddle with it regularly, it's OK. I wanted to put it to the right of the steering wheel, but I couldn't find a good spot. Just be sure not to bang it with your knee when entering the truck.

Happy towing!

 

[Someday I Suppos]

You just answered my next question on where to put it. I have the prodigy coming in as well with the Ford specific cable.

I won't be towing a whole lot, so I was thinking maybe of coming up the edge of the door and putting it on the dash by the A pillar.

Scott

 

[rrack]

Where's the pigtail at the receiver?

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I'm getting ready to attack the same project. I just bought a new, larger pop-up camper but this one requires the round 6 harness since it has electric brakes. Our 2005 V6 Mountaineer has the prewired 4-flat and class II receiver. I added the extra class III receiver that fits below the original class II. I'm going to get the 4-flat to 6-round adapter harness.

My question is that if the Mountaineer has the prewired pigtail under the dash for a brake controller, where does that come out at the rear end? Is there another pigtail back there for the larger 6 pin trailer harness? or is it somehow wired through the prewired 4-flat? Just want to get an idea of what I'm in for before I order a controller and adapter.

Thanks much,
Robert

 

[Someday I Suppos]

Robert, one of the real experts may weigh in on this, but first are you sure you have a pigtail for a brake controller under the dash? If yes, then you should have a round 6 plug harness at the back, mine is in the bumper from the factory.

That said, if the Mounty only had a light duty hitch on the back from the factory, it may not be wired for a brake controller.

-Scott

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I'm getting ready to attack the same project. I just bought a new, larger pop-up camper but this one requires the round 6 harness since it has electric brakes. Our 2005 V6 Mountaineer has the prewired 4-flat and class II receiver. I added the extra class III receiver that fits below the original class II. I'm going to get the 4-flat to 6-round adapter harness.

My question is that if the Mountaineer has the prewired pigtail under the dash for a brake controller, where does that come out at the rear end? Is there another pigtail back there for the larger 6 pin trailer harness? or is it somehow wired through the prewired 4-flat? Just want to get an idea of what I'm in for before I order a controller and adapter.

Thanks much,
Robert

 

[rrack]

Thanks for the reply. I just came back from a Central Trailer supply and he sold me an adapter that is supposed to attach to that prewired plug that I think you are talking about. It's actually really cool. Hopkins #40965. It has both the 4-flat and 6-round so i dont have to rewire any boats or trailers or anything... Just Plug it in and mount. They have em at etrailers.com as well. I haven't searched for any plugs yet. I'll try later today. They guy swore that it should fit any mountaineers from 02-09 plus a ton of other vehs. That is if it is actually prewired. We'll see later on.

 

[rrack]

Well, just peachy. Nothing under the dash and nothing but the 4-flat in the rear. I can see where the 4-flat runs along the back side of the bumper and plugs into a large harness in the right rear corner of the bumper but nothing that resembles the 7rv round that's supposed to be there. I even dropped the spare and nada. It figures with my luck. Oh well, I'll just need to run the brake and power leads to the rear end and hard wire everything. Thanks for the help. I'm sure I'll be back soon.

 

[jrford]

nothing that resembles the 7rv round that's supposed to be there.

Sorry, i just re-read your post and yours is an '08 which changes things, . . .your hitch is a Welded on, but i gotta a feeling you might be OK. How many wires in the plug under the light?

My '04 came with a Class II and the 4pin. I was able swap in a Class III from a JY for $50 (only '02-05's where bolt on hitches) and it came with the 7-pin harness. The connector under the tail light supported both. It was a long time ago and i thought it was an 8-pin harness under the light. I've never actually used a trailer that needed the 7-pin but i remember reading somewhere the the 12v feed may not be there????? I'd check if with a volt meter to be sure.

 

[rrack]

I think that's what I might need... A 6-round that plugs into that square plug in right rear corner. Gonna do some more searching. That's right where the 4-flat traces back to. One thing I did notice is thar at that harness, there are 4 leading to the flat including a blue but not at the 4-flat plug? Just 4 come out. Not sure where the blue terminates inside the 2 foot harness. Could this be brakes? Need to check tomorrow when the wife gets home. It's actually her truck so I don't have a lot of time to work on it. Just very frustrating because everyone including Hopkins themselves are telling me "all Mountaineers regardless if v6 or v8" are prewired. Still can't find the one under the dash either. Determined to figure this out.

 

[thebrakeman]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I'm getting ready to attack the same project. I just bought a new, larger pop-up camper but this one requires the round 6 harness since it has electric brakes. Our 2005 V6 Mountaineer has the prewired 4-flat and class II receiver. I added the extra class III receiver that fits below the original class II. I'm going to get the 4-flat to 6-round adapter harness.

My question is that if the Mountaineer has the prewired pigtail under the dash for a brake controller, where does that come out at the rear end? Is there another pigtail back there for the larger 6 pin trailer harness? or is it somehow wired through the prewired 4-flat? Just want to get an idea of what I'm in for before I order a controller and adapter.

Thanks much,
Robert

You are limited to 8000 lbs GCVWR (combined loaded weight of both vehicles) with your V6 Class III Mountaineer. Be careful with that upgraded trailer!
8000-4500 (empty truck weight?) = 3500 lbs

That 3500 lbs capacity has to be enough for the loaded trailer, and the weight of people + cargo in the Mounty.

Be careful!

 

[mert7497]

mert7497

My first post: On the subject of where is the under dash electric brake plug on a 2005 Mountaineer, Yes believe it or not mine was on the pass side. Pull the glove box down and in there some left of center mine was in a harness facing up and taped together. I had to feel it, and untape it to see it. Many hours went in to this and I thought it might help someone. I also have a 2006 Explorer