Deleting the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob (Aka Noob Knob)

[CBAlsum]

I want to delete the useless pro trailer back up assist knob. I actually know how to back a trailer and don't need a the gimic to do it. Personally i feel if you can't back it up you shouldn't be towing it in the first place. Some people will be triggered by this and lash out because they think "its just great". My condolences to you and your feelings.

Any who... anyone know what the blank plate part number is or where i can find it. also what modules in for scan do I need to change to get any error messages or DTC to go away. I want to keep the trailer camera and tire pressure monitors (these are not cheats just situational awareness) I have plans for the space where the button goes. I'm either putting a mic there for a radio, a cell phone mount with mag safe charger as the induction charger in the truck doesn't work well with the larger phones in a chase, or a button for an "enable light bar" (use it with the high beams to trigger the led light bar rather than having to hit the button each time). either way, I do not want the stupid knob.

I'm in a 23' PB Lariat

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[Kanuck]

Why not just tuck it in behind the dash and leave it connected? I would think that would be the easiest. Everything you want to still work, would.

 

[CBAlsum]

Why not just tuck it in behind the dash and leave it connected? I would think that would be the easiest. Everything you want to still work, would.

Because that would consist of pulling the dash apart. I thought about doing that but. but if i can find the plate and just pop it off that's pretty easy as well, I can edit the module in forscan in about 3 minutes. Sell the button on ebay and be done with it.

 

[mdn14]

I want to delete the useless pro trailer back up assist knob. I actually know how to back a trailer and don't need a the gimic to do it. Personally i feel if you can't back it up you shouldn't be towing it in the first place. Some people will be triggered by this and lash out because they think "its just great". My condolences to you and your feelings.

Any who... anyone know what the blank plate part number is or where i can find it. also what modules in for scan do I need to change to get any error messages or DTC to go away. I want to keep the trailer camera and tire pressure monitors (these are not cheats just situational awareness) I have plans for the space where the button goes. I'm either putting a mic there for a radio, a cell phone mount with mag safe charger as the induction charger in the truck doesn't work well with the larger phones in a chase, or a button for an "enable light bar" (use it with the high beams to trigger the led light bar rather than having to hit the button each time). either way, I do not want the stupid knob.

I'm in a 23' PB Lariat

I never understood this mindset. You should probably also delete your cruise control. I know how to keep a constant speed on the highway and if you can't then you should probably not be driving

Keeping it will help with resale in the future as well.

 

[Kanuck]

I think Ford has a little pocket that goes in its place. Pulling the dash apart on these trucks is very easy. You Tube has many videos The hard part will be changing software to not throw DTC's and keep the features you want. I believer the truck scans for that switch on startup and needs to see it. That is why it is easier to just hide it behind the dash

Edit: 7 mm socket and 10 minutes..all done. Gone.

 

[Kanuck]

I never understood this mindset. You should probably also delete your cruise control. I know how to keep a constant speed on the highway and if you can't then you should probably not be driving

Keeping it will help with resale in the future as well.

We are taking "TIN BASHER" here....lol. Sorry Brian, could not resist, retired electrician.

 

[12Lariat21]

I guess I don't see the point in 'deleting' it...you don't gain anything, it's not like the knob is in the way...and there really isn't anything 'useful' that you can put in it's place.

My truck has this too, been to lazy to ever spend the time to get it setup and use it...I really should though, at least try it out once, after all I did pay for it.

 

[CBAlsum]

I never understood this mindset. You should probably also delete your cruise control. I know how to keep a constant speed on the highway and if you can't then you should probably not be driving

Keeping it will help with resale in the future as well.

1. I don’t really care about resale value of my vehicles because I keep vehicles basically until they’re fall apart. I still have a 93 crew cab f250 power stroke with the six speed and a granny gear. It has over 500,000 miles on it.
2. Why are you so butt hurt by what I wanna do to my vehicles?
3. Cruise control is a convenience item for people who know how to drive. the ironically named “pro” trailer back up assist is a handicap for people who don’t know how to back up trailers. I can either use cruise control or not use it. The people that are using the pro trailer back up assist couldn’t back up a trailer without it. apples and tomatoes.

there’s always one that’s easily triggered

 

[CBAlsum]

I guess I don't see the point in 'deleting' it...you don't gain anything, it's not like the knob is in the way...and there really isn't anything 'useful' that you can put in it's place.

My truck has this too, been to lazy to ever spend the time to get it setup and use it...I really should though, at least try it out once, after all I did pay for it.

I want to delete it because I want the space to use for other things. I don’t really feel like I paid for it. I basically stole this truck. I got $20,000 off and 1.9% financing for 72 months. The bottom is dropping out of the market right now so if you’re paying full price for a vehicle, you’re getting screwed.

You’ll be far better off taking the time practicing back, backing up a trailer rather than using it to learn how to use the ironically named pro trailer back up assist.

if I had ordered the truck, I wouldn’t have ordered it with it

 

[mdn14]

1. I don’t really care about resale value of my vehicles because I keep vehicles basically until they’re fall apart. I still have a 93 crew cab f250 power stroke with the six speed and a granny gear. It has over 500,000 miles on it.
2. Why are you so butt hurt by what I wanna do to my vehicles?
3. Cruise control is a convenience item for people who know how to drive. the ironically named “pro” trailer back up assist is a handicap for people who don’t know how to back up trailers. I can either use cruise control or not use it. The people that are using the pro trailer back up assist couldn’t back up a trailer without it. apples and tomatoes.

there’s always one that’s easily triggered

I never gave the indication I was butthurt, the mindset just doesn't make sense to me. It's an argument people use all the time with auto vs manual sports cars, or hunting with a stick/spear/recurve/compound/crossbow/gun.

Like those that use something that makes something easier/more accessible are dumb and shouldn't be doing the thing in the first place.

It offers a technology for people to use, lowering the risk of backing into something stupid with any trailer.

By all means remove it and enjoy the small 2x2 square it frees up!

 

[CBAlsum]

I never gave the indication I was butthurt, the mindset just doesn't make sense to me. It's an argument people use all the time with auto vs manual sports cars, or hunting with a stick/spear/recurve/compound/crossbow/gun.

Like those that use something that makes something easier/more accessible are dumb and shouldn't be doing the thing in the first place.

It offers a technology for people to use, lowering the risk of backing into something stupid with any trailer.

By all means remove it and enjoy the small 2x2 square it frees up!

Again, if my cruise control dies, I can still drive if your pro trailer back up assist dies, your sticker falls off or your little yaw sensor brakes, you can’t back up your trailer anymore because you don’t know how.
If you can’t drive the trailer backwards, you’ve got no business driving the trailer forward. This is not an automatic versus manual thing.

 

[mdn14]

Again, if my cruise control dies, I can still drive if your pro trailer back up assist dies, your sticker falls off or your little yaw sensor *breaks*, you can’t back up your trailer anymore because you don’t know how.
If you can’t drive the trailer backwards, you’ve got no business driving the trailer forward. This is not an automatic versus manual thing.

OK bud. You do you. If PTBUA dies they can still backup too, just might take a few more tries

I've never tried to get the thing setup because it sounds like a pain but there's still no point in digging on those that do use it.

Edit: https://www.f150forum.com/f129/removing-trailer-brake-backup-assist-controls-507535/

Seems like removing the knob will throw codes. Might be best to push it behind the dash and replace the faceplate.

 

[CBAlsum]

OK bud. You do you. If PTBUA dies they can still backup too, just might take a few more tries

I've never tried to get the thing setup because it sounds like a pain but there's still no point in digging on those that do use it.

Edit: https://www.f150forum.com/f129/removing-trailer-brake-backup-assist-controls-507535/

Seems like removing the knob will throw codes. Might be best to push it behind the dash and replace the faceplate.

I've had it unplugged for a few days now, no codes.

As for the just take a few more tries when it fails. I've sat behind some on at the gas station for 45 minutes while they blocked me in because they didn't know how to back a trailer. I seriously think there should be a driver's test to haul any trailer. It should include backing it up. Heck, you need a CDL to haul more than a brick for work but 75 year old grandpa with an astigmatism can drive 20,000 down the road without so much as an hour of how to. I think the only thing the pro trailer button should activate is a warning light and alarm for people nearby to evacuate the area and get their phones ready to record some funny shit. Ever take a boat to the boat ramp and watch people who have no idea what they are doing try and back into the water? good times! There are entire youtube channels devoted to the chaos.

 

[mdn14]

I've had it unplugged for a few days now, no codes.

As for the just take a few more tries when it fails. I've sat behind some on at the gas station for 45 minutes while they blocked me in because they didn't know how to back a trailer. I seriously think there should be a driver's test to haul any trailer. It should include backing it up. Heck, you need a CDL to haul more than a brick for work but 75 year old grandpa with an astigmatism can drive 20,000 down the road without so much as an hour of how to. I think the only thing the pro trailer button should activate is a warning light and alarm for people nearby to evacuate the area and get their phones ready to record some funny shit. Ever take a boat to the boat ramp and watch people who have no idea what they are doing try and back into the water? good times! There are entire youtube channels devoted to the chaos.

Maybe the knob should be eliminated then so we don't lose the entertainment!

I get where you're coming from for sure. Waiting behind people that take 8 attempts to back a trailer into their driveway is annoying, but the knob should only help make that quicker if people use it.

If no codes are being thrown then you may just need to find the flat plate part number. Looks like it just pops out.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...oving-trailer-backup-assist.13315/post-271660

 

[BAPP702]

ML3Z-5404338-BA

My knob is sitting in my glove box.

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