Tow Package Wiring Question

[Pkdawg]

My 2024 OBX came with preinstalled wiring for a tow hitch. I brought it to U-Haul to install the rest and they added an adapter and bar. Except they said the original wiring wasn’t working right. I brought it to the dealer and they said it’s correct, but need the Ford adapter and that only comes with the full wiring and bar, etc. $499. $1000 after installation.

Has anyone had a 3rd party install a hitch for 4 or 7 pin?

I’m back sitting at U-Haul and they found a plan which is to ignore the pre installed Ford wiring and do it from scratch.

At least that works for now, but what’s the point of the pre installed wiring?

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[Rivers90]

Even if you buy the ford kit for $499 it will not work with out the computer being reprogrammed for having a hitch and needing to send signals to the 4 and 7 pin. That is what they say at least.

I was thinking of buying the ford kit and installing it myself but I can't program the computer so it would not work.

I guess the after market needs to catch-up on the changes on the 2024 and now the 2025. They are also different from each other in some way and take different ford kits.

 

[RagnarKon]

Yup this is all correct. The official kit is here, and it includes everything you need to tow. (Basically everything you already had Uhaul install, unfortunately.)

The major piece of the official kit is the tow module. The tow module handles the translation between the Body Control Module and the trailer for the stop and turn light signals. It also tells the rest of the vehicle when a trailer is connected so it can turn of certain safety features like Blind Spot and the rear parking sensors. And it also enables the towing features on your SYNC screen like trailer sway control.

If you don't have the module, the running lights will still work, but the stop/turn will not. The wiring is all pre-run and ready to go, but without the module outputting the trail light signals it's obviously not super helpful.

@Rivers90 is correct, installation of the Tow Module requires a programming step—basically reconfigures the vehicle so it knows the tow module is installed. You can actually do that step yourself but obviously most people don't have the interface that allows you to connect your laptop to your Bronco.

There are third party adapters, but most of them are generic adapters that splice into the factory taillights. I'm not aware of any that use the factory wiring.

 

[f21sh]

Ford Fortran software (free)should allow you to update the Bronco to recognize the tow module.

 

[Itchy Rash]

When I bought my Badlands, the dealer was supposed to install the Ford Tow Package, but installed a 3rd party tow hitch with a 4 pin connector. They did not seem to know about the Ford hitch and I grew tired of dealing with them so I ordered the Ford one through another dealer. When it came in they refused to honor the published install price. I went to another dealer and they wanted $800 to install it. So, I installed it myself and removed the previous hitch, trailer lights control and wiring. It is not hard if you are comfortable doing that kind of work. I also know it is installed correctly. I instead to use Forscan to enable the towing features when I have the time. I'm hoping to have that done by next weekend. I feel the Ford product is much cleaner looking than 3rd party options, especially with the connectors.

 

[Pokey_Cacti]

Itchy Rash...what was the ford part # for the controller...and is that sold separately?

 

[Itchy Rash]

The kit part number was VS2DZ-15A416-C. The controller was included, I didn't pay attention to the controller part number.

I've attached the instructions I followed.

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