Trailer Brake Controller

You are so right!
I believe federal law is trailers 3000 pounds and over are required to have brakes. Some states have that bar set to a lower weight. My opinion is if the trailer manufacturer thought it should have brakes you should use them. That extra safety and confidence that you can stop isn't nothing.
I seen an F150 and a travel trailer flipped on I-95 once. Scared me. I make sure everything is good to go and don't speed when towing. Getting there safe is way more fun in the end than getting in an accident because you are foolish and careless.

 

I’ve had a Prodigy P2 for a couple years, multiple trucks and trailers. I just install it in the newest truck when time comes. Has worked fine for years.

 

My outfit has the tow package and a friend gave me a P2 out of a truck he sold (he never used it himself). I bought a Taco pigtail off eBay and now would like to test the unit before I try it on a trailer. Any tried and true way to put a meter on the plug brake pin and take a look at the output?

 

I got the RedARC tow pro liberty that I ordered Saturday morning already today on Wednesday afternoon. Here is what I got in my order and what came in the box. I'm going take a quick look as to where the best place to mount it under the dash is keeping in mind it has to be secured and not just zip tied in tonight. I will think about how exactly I'm going fix in the truck over the weekend.

 

Just an FYI, there are also these options on shapeways for clean mounts.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/3EALSXSAD/3rd-gen-tacoma-two-switch-panel-w-redarc-towpro

 

That says the plate uses the taller narrow switch. Redarc sells a plate for the tall one and the shorter one.
I got the short one. Looks like it will fit next to the traction control button. That might be useful if you don't want your cubby. 2020 models don't seem to the cubby any more so that plate is good for 16-19.
For the 2020 you can pick either size switch plate from RedArc depending on what openings are unused on your truck. For my SR5 I have few switches in there. If you have a TRD you have the outlet one and the camera one with that package in that panel.

 

Looks like you've got the 2020. I used the official Redarc plate as well.



If you're talking about the actual proportional controller box, this may not be the most ideal way of doing it but I'm confident it'll be fine: I just attached it to the side of the ECU mount (or whichever computer controller is under the driver's side dash) using two sided adhesive. I don't think it will ever fail but if it does, it will be evident really quickly. No picture unfortunately but when you get under the dash you'll see it pretty clearly. Nice large blank spot.

 

That is exactly what I'm doing. I was peeking under the dash near the kick panel. I think it's a fuse panel. Anyway it meets the "large blank space" discription well. My intent was to pick up some 3m extreme double side mounting tape and put it there. I thought about zip ties around too as a back up but not sure it's worth the effort.
Looks like you have the same switch blank from them for the knob as I do. So it should look the same.

 

that’s exactly where I put mine with some double sided tape. Texas heat got to it after about a year and it came unstuck. I crawled under there again and found a lip I’m that same location that I could slide one side underneath. Hopefully that’ll help.

 

Hi,
Can somebody please confirm what break controller harness is required for Gen 3? I've seen both with and without that white plug, I believe that Tekonsha 3031 comes with and without it, Thanks!

 

I think the white plug designates a specific controller. I got mine pigtailed so I could solder to my controller.

<edit>. Okay, black end is controller specific and white end is taco specific.

 

The white plug is what plugs in to the trucks harness behind the kick panel. This is the Tekonsha harness I bought for the Tacoma before I decided I wanted to go with the RedARC. Notice the white end is the same in the photo of the RedARC as the Tekonsha. The other end that's black on both is the controller end. The RedARC has a larger connector on the controller end than Tekonsha
The Tekonsha part number is

$17 3031-P Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

3031-P it has the white ground wire. There is one with out the ground but I think it isn't being made any longer. There is a grounding point in the kick panel the white wire gets bolted to. The RedARC harness also had the ground too.
I have the 3031-P harness for Tekonsha and since I'm probably going to leave that control go with the Jeep and not move it to my Tacoma I'd like to part with it but I'm past the Amazon return window.

 

I did complete the installation of the TowPro Liberty.
You need to remove the plastic trim between the door and the driver seat, it just pulls out. Remove the plastic thumb screw from the foot well that holds the kick panel. Pull the panel out and to the right of the truck.
The plug for the brakes on my truck was way in forward behind other wires. It's white. Plug in your harness wire in to it. Bolt the white wire with the loop end to the ground point in kick panel area.
Then I used heavy duty mounting tape to cover the back of the TowPro box. And mount it up under the dash like this, plugged in the controller end before placing it up there.


To Open the panel to the left of the wheel. There are 3 10mm/phillips screws along the bottom of the panel and below the knee air bag and clips hold the top on. Pop out the blank. Put the button you ordered with the TowPro in. From the back side slide the remote unit in place use 12mm nut to secure it in from the front. Connect the black cable that looks like ethernet to the back of the remote and the controller. Put the trim panels and all back in place, put the knob on the RedARC remote it will look like this.

Get a cold drink of choice.

 

You can pick up a seven-way plug tester at Walmart. I carry one in my truck tool box.

 

Thanks for the information to the RedArc. I just ordered mine.

 

Installed mine today. What I like the most is that I get to keep the cuby for my keys.

 

RedARC controller is awesome, it easy to use and install

 

If you are smart like me you get a sr5 model. Comes with a little slot thats holds your keys in a location they make noise and hang by you knee..

I do like your install lol

 

Where is that on the truck? Just curious

 

Its a little hole on the side of the stearing column. Its for easy access when you want to warm-up the truck on cold morning before you loud your 2 year old. All you have to do is dress up and put your boots on and go outside to access it...


I miss my old remote start. So sad. Id say its great to have this 1st word problem right now lol.