Q: Pro trailer back up assist: which is better, the sticker or the sensor?

[deputydog2003]

I had a 2021 F150 that had the plug in the back of the truck to plug in the trailer sensor below the round 7 pin connector. My new 2025 does not have that plug in the back. It just uses the sticker with the black and white checker pattern. Which method is more accurate and works better? If I am going to use the back up sensor, is the truck already pre-wired for it if I just got a new plug for the back of the truck? My truck presently has a combo plug with the round 7 pin on top and the flat 4 pin on the bottom. Can it be swapped for the one that has the trailer sensor plug below the 7 pin round plug? Thanks.

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[ApolloChurchill]

The sensor is more consistent but the sticker is good enough for most scenarios. I doubt the wiring in the pass through is there for the sensor, you’d have to retrofit it on the bumper harness side of things. Assuming it’s like everything else lately with stripping content from the production floor.

 

[{tpc}]

I had a 2021 F150 that had the plug in the back of the truck to plug in the trailer sensor below the round 7 pin connector. My new 2025 does not have that plug in the back. It just uses the sticker with the black and white checker pattern. Which method is more accurate and works better? If I am going to use the back up sensor, is the truck already pre-wired for it if I just got a new plug for the back of the truck? My truck presently has a combo plug with the round 7 pin on top and the flat 4 pin on the bottom. Can it be swapped for the one that has the trailer sensor plug below the 7 pin round plug? Thanks.

I prefer the sensor but its only because I don't really have enough space on the trailer frame to properly place the sticker.

That said, I've had this setup in my last 3 vehicles and used it maybe once or twice. A lot of times we get pull through spots, but ymmv.

As for the question, if you have the trailer tow tech package, which is probably the case, look under the bumper for a small connector near the 7 way/4 way that is capped off. If it is there and has 2 wires, that should be all you need for the yaw sensor. If its fully populated, I think that means you can go crazy and purchase the very pricey yaw sensor/tpms/rear trailer camera setup. That setup I think comes with a 7 way/12 way, which is what you need to replace the 7 way/4 way with.

Otherwise you can purchase a yaw sensor cheap if you look around hard enough. The 7 way/12way is a little more pricey and harder to find used, so you might just buy one from a dealer website.

It should work though, as this is one of the first things I did after getting my truck. I was able to find a used 7/12 on ebay for $40, swapped it over and no issues at all.

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