Electronic Brake Controls

Posted another towing capacity thread. Regardless of the outcome, I need to install one because I’m going to tow something over 3500. 2020, SR, 4x4 v6 xp package.

what is a cheap, easy to install plug and play controller that will for this taco? I rarely ever tow, but I need to install one to be safe and legal. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and saw about 10 different prices and installs.

 

I hear about electric brake controllers on here a lot but not surge brakes. I have surge brakes on my boat trailer and they seem to do the job (~2300lbs). I don’t have any experience with electric brake controllers.

 

Personally, I like Tekonsha. In my Tacoma right now is a Tekonsha P2 and it is great, no issues at all. Previously, in a different truck, I used a Tekonsha Voyager, again a decent controller no issues. Regardless of the controller you choose, you will need the correct short wire harness to connect from the controller to your factory installed brake controller plug located behind the driver's side kick panel.

Here is my installation:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trailer-brake-controller.398124/page-19#post-19896739

 

really nice. I watched a couple videos that pulled the driver dash off and wired it through the back of that compartment after removing the backing. Seems like the cleanest option without having to drill u to the soft plastic

 

While it fails your cheap criteria, Curt has one that you just plug into the 7 pin connector and configure through Bluetooth on your phone. I can't speak for how well it works, but the reviews seem decent.

I have a Tekonsha P3 mounted where the little cubby was to the left of the steering wheel. This is the third truck I've had it mounted in, and I've been really happy with it. I really like that it auto-levels, so there's not much setup when I want to use it.

 

I chose that location, like many others on this forum, for two reasons: 1 - I wasn't finding that cubby very useful for anything 2 - the Tacoma is tight for me (6'4") and I did not have the extra knees / legs real estate to do the traditional "hang below the dash" installation. It is pretty clean and I like it. One note for you, no need to remove the dash. I just removed the cubby housing with a very thin (but wide) screw driver to pop the 4 clips that hold that housing in. You have to be careful so you don't mar the housing or, worse, the dash but I did it several times no problem. There are pictures of the housing popped out to show you the clips as a guideline where to insert the screwdriver. I tried to use a dedicated plastic trim pry bar but it was too fat. You also need to create a notch cutout at the rear of the cubby to pass the harness through, I used a Dremel for that.