Pro Trailer Back up Assist

[kevdog0710]

I have the max tow, which includes the back up assist. Picked up my truck yesterday, asked the dealer where the package with the cables and other accessories was? They said they will get in about a week. Noticed today that the bumper has a 7 pin above a flat 4 pin. No female round connector for the backup assist cable. I suppose they messed up my build and thats why the cable wasnt in the truck...

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[Mash150]

I have the max tow, which includes the back up assist. Picked up my truck yesterday, asked the dealer where the package with the cables and other accessories was? They said they will get in about a week. Noticed today that the bumper has a 7 pin above a flat 4 pin. No female round connector for the backup assist cable. I suppose they messed up my build and thats why the cable wasnt in the truck...

The backup assist cable has 12 pins. On my 21 KR it sits below the 7 pin connector. There is no 4 pin flat connector.

 

[kevdog0710]

The backup assist cable has 12 pins. On my 21 KR it sits below the 7 pin connector. There is no 4 pin flat connector.

Yup, it should have come with the 7 to 4 flat adapter. I'm guessing they need to order the right harness. I'm not sure I would ever use it, but I paid for it.

 

[Buyer2021]

I have the max tow, which includes the back up assist. Picked up my truck yesterday, asked the dealer where the package with the cables and other accessories was? They said they will get in about a week. Noticed today that the bumper has a 7 pin above a flat 4 pin. No female round connector for the backup assist cable. I suppose they messed up my build and thats why the cable wasnt in the truck...

Check in the packages of manuals in the glovebox to see if you have stickers for Trailer Backup Assist in a pocket in the back of "Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Trailer Reverse Guidance Quick Start Guide" .

My Lariat ordered and built about the same time as yours with Max TT package was delivered with stickers and the 7/4 pin bumper connector in lieu of the 7/12 pin connector and the hard-wired TBA module (aka "Yaw Sensor") for mounting on the trailer tongue.

Like it or not Ford considers the 'sticker-based' system the equivalent Pro Trailer Backup Assist solution and has gone to that for many later F150 builds (note @Mash150 has a 2021 KR with the 7/12 pin connector).

BTW, all of the Order Guides for 2022 list Max TT as having a 7/4 pin bumper connector and even thought they all state Pro Trailer Backup Assist is included when ordered on the Lariat they do not specify the technology ('stickers' vs 'hard-wired module/Yaw Sensor') used to deliver that capability.

Do not confuse the Smart Trailer Tow Connector with the 12 pin socket we don't have, that's a capability built-into the 7/4 pin trailer connector.

 

[kevdog0710]

Check in the packages of manuals in the glovebox to see if you have stickers for Trailer Backup Assist in a pocket in the back of "Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Trailer Reverse Guidance Quick Start Guide" .

My Lariat ordered and built about the same time as yours with Max TT package was delivered with those and the 7/4 pin bumper connector in lieu of the 7/12 pin connector and the hard-wired TBA module for mounting on the trailer tongue.

Like it or not Ford considers the 'sticker-based' system the equivalent Pro Trailer Backup Assist solution and has gone to that for many later builds.

BTW, all of the Order Guides for 2022 list Max TT as having a 7/4 pin bumper connector and even thought they all state Pro Trailer Backup Assist is included when ordered on the Lariat they do not specify the technology ('stickers' vs 'hard-wired module') used to deliver that capability.

Do not confuse the Smart Trailer Tow Connector with the 12 pin socket we don't have, that's a capability built-into the 7/4 pin trailer connector.

It did come with the stickers. So there is no cable needed when you have stickers? I'll have to watch those videos and figure it out

 

[Buyer2021]

So there is no cable needed when you have stickers?

Correct. It uses the tailgate cam and the sticker to support TBA without any other hard-wired module.

There's detailed explanation of how to use the stickers in the downloadable Owner's Manual and that TBA Quick Start Guide.

 

[kevdog0710]

Correct. It uses the tailgate cam and the sticker to support TBA without any other hard-wired module.

There's detailed explanation of how to use the stickers in the downloadable Owner's Manual and that TBA Quick Start Guide.

Thanks for the info. I wonder if it was parts availability or chip issues that caused them to revert back to the older system? I'm not certain how much I'll even use it

 

[Buyer2021]

I wonder if it was parts availability or chip issues that caused them to revert back to the older system?

Whatever the reason, there's no question that stickers are less expensive than cables and Yaw Sensors.

 

[Mash150]

Whatever the reason, there's no question that stickers are less expensive than cables and Yaw Sensors.

Very much so. But the stickers are more useful if you happen to have more than one trailer as the yaw unit would have to be removed and reinstalled and calibrated each time you switched trailers. Easy to switch trailers with the stickers. Enough said.

Cheers

 

[Ed21]

Do all of the 2021’s work with the stickers now?

 

[Buyer2021]

Very much so. But the stickers are more useful if you happen to have more than one trailer as the yaw unit would have to be removed and reinstalled and calibrated each time you switched trailers. Easy to switch trailers with the stickers. Enough said.

Cheers

Absolutely agree, that was my reference.

In addition to my 5th wheel RV which isn't supported by TBA I've also got 8' (4 pin) and 16' (7 pin with brakes) utility bumper-pulls that both get frequent use making it impractical to swap a sensor module between them. I'm also glad to have 4 & 7 pin connectors on the bumper without having to mess with an adaptor.

I'm all-in for stickers and menu-saved trailer-specific configurations (admitting I'm still on the learning curve with TBA for those trailers, but I think I like it, especially on the super-twitchy 8-footer)

 

[FrankThompson]

I had the stickers ony '17 and I assume have them for my '22 (never looked), but it seems to me the sensor was a solution looking for a problem. Stickers and saved trailer configs seem far better and easier to use for end users. It really seems like a hassle if you have more than one trailer and the sensor.

Sometimes more tech isn't the answer.

 

[Buyer2021]

Do all of the 2021’s work with the stickers now?

Apparently with proper OTA updates they can, but given the vagaries of updates on specific vehicles IMO it'd be presumptuous to say they all assuredly do work with stickers now.

 

[Kaboom]

My 2021 PB KR worked flawlessly with the yaw sensors, no sticker support. After update to modules and bluecruise update None of my sensors work! the system wants to setup with stickers, does not recognize the yaw sensors. it will not find the stickers either. so now my pro trialer backup is defunct and also lost trailer blind spot. Not a happy camper. 2 enginers , 3 months at ford, and no solution. they even sent the ford house a fancy form of Zoom headset to follow the technician in his steps in trying to fix.

 

[Mash150]

Ugg . Not happy to hear about that . I won’t know until later in the summer when I pick up the trailer. I use the yaw setup. Sucks about your ford. Keep after them until you get the truck you paid for fully operative . Good luck .

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