R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Introduce Yourself
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: New Tow Vehicle
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedNew Tow Vehicle
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Irish Tom View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Tow Vehicle
    Posted: 03 Mar 2016 at 1:46pm
I too have a 2014 Explorer Limited AWD with tow package.
Have a 2015 178 Rpod.
Use a P2 brake controller with anti-sway bar.
Works just fine.
My only issue with the 178 is that it is so light.
Not much tongue weight.
Cannot haul water because a full fresh water tank makes the tongue weight even worse.
Would like to know if a WDH set up would help.

Irish Tom
Back to Top
Shelpod View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 1:41pm
That would be nice but the Integrated TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) option is not available for the Explorer even in the Sport and Platinum which come standard with the towing package.  All other models have the towing package as an option but the TBC is not available.  
Pod: 2013 178
TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 11:20am
Originally posted by Shelpod

I think the salesman "misspoke".  If you get an explorer with the tow package, the 7 and 4 wire plugs are both included along with a class III hitch and a oil cooler for the transmission.  There should also be a plug and play port under the dash somewhere to plug a controller into.  They seem to have moved the port around depending on year of the Explorer.  The manual says the same thing, that you need to add your own brake controller.  Good hunting for a TV.


The newest Explorer may come factory with a built in controller, the F150 and Expedition do, I know for a fact. I also know for a fact, the Expedition still has the plug/port for an aftermarket controller, and you can choose in the menu to use it OR the factory controller. I have had no issue with the factory controller vs the IQ we had mounted in the old Ex..
Back to Top
Shelpod View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 10:16am
I think the salesman "misspoke".  If you get an explorer with the tow package, the 7 and 4 wire plugs are both included along with a class III hitch and a oil cooler for the transmission.  There should also be a plug and play port under the dash somewhere to plug a controller into.  They seem to have moved the port around depending on year of the Explorer.  The manual says the same thing, that you need to add your own brake controller.  Good hunting for a TV.
Pod: 2013 178
TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package
Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3227 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 9:10pm
That is interesting.  I know when we got our '08 Explorer it had to have a brake controller added to it, and that came with the tow package.  Just last week we traded up to a '13 Explorer and I was not aware of any built in brake controller, just that someone added the one to it that I mentioned in the above post.  Maybe that is something that is on the newer vehicles.  We don't buy new vehicles.  I let someone else take the hit on depreciation and get the bugs worked out.  Works for us and save us a lot of $$$$$.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
Back to Top
Craneman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 12 May 2013
Location: Tokeland,wa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 387 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 9:05pm
We were considering a explorer with a tow package and the salesman said when they have the factory tow package it had a electric brake controller built in.  .....?????????Like our F150
         Moe
Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150



Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3227 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:57pm
Our 2013 Explorer came equipped with a Tekonsha Primus IQ totally proportional brake controller.  Didn't get any info about it when we got the Explorer but did some searching on the 'net' and all the reviews look good.  Looking forward to trying it out, BUT will have to wait for the 14" of solid snow to melt before we can even get to it as it is in the back 20 parked inside the horse barn.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
Back to Top
Shelpod View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:54pm
Thanks for all the input everyone.  I just ordered the P3 with the wiring harness for Ford Explorers with tow packages.  Wish me luck putting it in.  Shouldn't be too hard and I always have this group to turn to.
Pod: 2013 178
TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:49pm
The main difference between P2 and P3 is convenience. The P3 digital display speaks to you in actual English. The P2 uses codes due to the limited display and you have to look up or remember the codes. I started with the Takonsha Voyager and was very glad to upgrade to the P3. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
Shelpod View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:37pm
Great to hear about the P2.  On my old TV, the timed delay worked fine when driving but while parking or crawling through a campground, it would grab to much.  The proportional should take care of that.  I have been reading reviews and there are a few people that don't like the brightness of the display (nor the color) on the P2.  The P3 is only $15 more at Amazon and has a brightness adjustment.  May just go that way for the small incremental $$s.
Pod: 2013 178
TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz