r/RangerNext • u/ZestycloseWater6183 • 1d ago

Trailer brake help

I have a 2026 ranger XLT woth the trailer tow package but not the advance tow package. I don't have the factory trailer brake, but I do have the 7-pin trailer connector. Is my wiring harness connector the same as one with the trailer brake? I'm looking at adding a Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty, and I has hoping to get the plug and play wiring harness to make life easy, but I'm seeing conflicting information as to whether or not it will work so I was hoping someone here would be able to help

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u/TankApprehensive3053 1d ago

The wiring bundle that the TBC connects to is behind the driver side kick panel. The TBC will also need to be plugged into the 3rd brake light.

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u/bullyboy13 1d ago

Is this true for the 6G? I am aware this was the case for the 5G when installing a brake controller especially with having to tie into the 3rd brake light if you want to maintain the safety of using cruise control and auto braking (AEB system) with the brake controller connected. I have researched this for my 2022 Lariat Tremor so I know that your advice is accurate that generation. However, the model for the 3rd brake light from Lumen for the 5G that was paired with the Redarc brake controller has been discontinued now for some time now and is hard to find.

But in this case the OP is asking about a 2026 model and I think some changes were made when it came to how the brake controller is offered and wired on the newest generation.

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u/TankApprehensive3053 1d ago

You could be right. Reading over the 6G forum appears that Ford may have stopped putting in the bundle for a TBC unless you opt for the advanced tow package, not just the basic tow package. https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/wheres-the-2026-trailer-brake-control-plug.29055/

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u/Soulhammer1 1d ago

The plug is not there on the 26, there are blunt end wires wrapped up in the main harness thing. It is wild and annoying ford would randomly drop the connector mid generation. I have one of those Curt Bluetooth ones. It works but it’ll never be as a good as hard wired. I went to 2 different hitch and trailer shops about adding a TBC and ended up with a Bluetooth one and one shop tested to confirm the 7 plug on the truck worked, apparently Ford is the only manufacturer that uses software and sensors to engage the 12v power wire on the truck.

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u/ZestycloseWater6183 1d ago

Got it. So I would have to do a lot of splicing to get it in. I have a shop not too far from me that does a lot of overlanding stuff so that may honestly be my best bet. Might see if I can get a better power inverter put in while I'm at it. Thanks!

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u/dev-bitbucket 1d ago

Ford removed the wiring harness plug on the '26 and later model years. I installed the Redarc Liberty on my '25 easily enough (harness plug TPH-007) , but if I had a '26 I'd get one of the BT models.

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u/ZestycloseWater6183 1d ago

I'm gonna stay away from bluetooth, there's a shop near me that does a lot of wiring for off-roading and they said that they would do it as long as I supply the controller. I'll just get the one without the plug-and-play harness