Airstream Disc Brakes and Ford F250

[Air Apparent]

I have a friend who has a 2005 Ford F250 Super Duty. He is considering purchasing a 2008 or 2009 Airstream Classic 34. His F250 has the integrated brake controller and is wondering if it will work with the disc brakes on the 2008 and 2009 Airstream Classic trailers or will he need to purchase a different break controller. He purchased the Ford specifically because of the integrated controller.

Anybody out there who has the Ford integrated controller with disc breaks on the trailer?

Your input would be appreciated as it will be helpful in his decision whether to purchase a Classic model. (He currently has an International 25.)

Thanks

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Bluebird

I have a friend who has a 2005 Ford F250 Super Duty. He is considering purchasing a 2008 or 2009 Airstream Classic 34. His F250 has the integrated brake controller and is wondering if it will work with the disc brakes on the 2008 and 2009 Airstream Classic trailers or will he need to purchase a different break controller. He purchased the Ford specifically because of the integrated controller.

Anybody out there who has the Ford integrated controller with disc breaks on the trailer?

Your input would be appreciated as it will be helpful in his decision whether to purchase a Classic model. (He currently has an International 25.)

Thanks

Neither Ford nor GM integrated brake controllers will work with hydraulic disc brakes.

[nmgt350h]

I believe all you need is vacuum for the booster… I had a 1980 Excella 500 with disk brakes and my intergraded controller worked fine. I installed a Vacuum pump in the trailer and hooked it up to the booster. I think that 1980 was a rare one, I had not seen many with disk brakes back then. I regret having sold it.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Neither Ford nor GM integrated brake controllers will work with hydraulic disc brakes.

Hi, very early on the Ford would not work with the disc brakes, but they do now and have for a few years now. As for GM, no they don't; You need to add an aftermarket controller.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, very early on the Ford would not work with the disc brakes, but they do now and have for a few years now. As for GM, no they don't; You need to add an aftermarket controller.

I think the '05 was still the early one, but am not 100% sure.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

I believe all you need is vacuum for the booster… I had a 1980 Excella 500 with disk brakes and my intergraded controller worked fine. I installed a Vacuum pump in the trailer and hooked it up to the booster. I think that 1980 was a rare one, I had not seen many with disk brakes back then. I regret having sold it.

2008 and 2009 Airstream travel trailers use an electronic brake actuator, no vacuum needed, nor is it possible to hook up vacuum to the system.

[norsea]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Neither Ford nor GM integrated brake controllers will work with hydraulic disc brakes.

I guess this means that the past 25,000 miles that we have towed our AS trailer around (across the US three times in the past 18 months) means that we have done so with no brakes on the trailer functioning.

I wonder why our trailer brakes got so hot when we were riding up and down the West Virginia hills?

I mean no offense sir but your statement is not based on fact.

The integrated controller on our 2008 Ford F250 works just fine with the hydraulic disk brakes on our 2008 30' Classic.

Jim

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by norsea

I guess this means that the past 25,000 miles that we have towed our AS trailer around (across the US three times in the past 18 months) means that we have done so with no brakes on the trailer functioning.

I wonder why our trailer brakes got so hot when we were riding up and down the West Virginia hills?

I mean no offense sir but your statement is not based on fact.

The integrated controller on our 2008 Ford F250 works just fine with the hydraulic disk brakes on our 2008 30' Classic.

Jim

You know, Jim, I am really, really REALLY getting sick and tired of people that don't read threads or posts completely, and stick in their two cents' worth after the discussion has already been clarified and/or settled. Please see post #5 in this thread, instead of jumping in about something that does not concern your 2008 truck. IT IS A 2005 truck that is being discussed.
Next time, please read the thread completely before posting a response to my posts. Thank you.

[NevadaGeo]

Its just a fact, no one ever reads through the "fine print" in any forum anywhere. I've learned to accept that, and not try to put in any thing with a fine nuance. Just annoys the nues and the ances.
...Now the disc brakes on my '78....

[WK57ABF]

Bluebird,

We have had problems with our Classic hydraulic braking system for 2 years.
The Ford Super Duty (all years) controller seems to work for some folks and doesn't for others. Ours works sometimes, then doesn't - we've had binding brakes, actuator problems. Tried aftermarket controller and they still don't work properly.

Got the info below from Ford for the 2008 model year and have quoted some points for you. Hope this helps you.

AUXILLIARY BRAKE SYSTEM - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Page 206-10-1 : Principles of Operation:

"electric-actuated drum brakes only"

Page 206-10-2 : Note 3

"the TBC system does not function with electric-over-
hydraulic brake types"

Page 206-10-11: Pinpoint Test-Brake Circuit Failure

"make sure the trailer brakes are electric-magnet-
actuated drum brakes"

Document dated 7/2007 - F250, 350, 450, 550

I know its 2009 now but it doesn't look as though Ford have addressed the issue of brake controller compatibility with electric over hydraulic brakes.

John in the UK

[papademojo]

Just a little info, the Ford intergrated controler is made by Prodigy. So if you are having problems you might want to get in touch with them to try and solve your problems. Ford just installs them on their trucks and does not make them.

Have a great day

[Tin Diesel]

See my post here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...ade-41447.html

When we installed our disc brakes (retrofit) on our 1999 30', it didn't work with our 2006 F250. I remember the installer (David Tidmore) saying the problem had been fixed on the F250 for 2006, but ours was such an early model, we may have had one of the older (2005) onboard controllers.

His answer was the adaptor module - shown in the pics.

I'm still not thrilled with the performance after more than a year of towing.
It still won't lock up even at low speeds - I don't insist on a lock-up, but would like to see more braking power than I'm seeing.

Also, I still get the Hensley 'bump', meaning it doesn't activate quickly enough.
Someday I may see about changing out the on-board controller.
Good luck.