Redarc trailer brake controller

'23 Tacoma SR....

So I installed a Redarc trailer brake controller today, probably the easiest one I've ever put in.
I purchased the Redarc Tacoma/Tundra specific adapter harness and switch plate set along with a Liberty control head.
$161.00 not including tax.

Tools needed, 10 mm socket/stubby extension/rachet. Add a Phillips screwdriver if you're ambitious about using a lot of tools.

1) remove the driver's side kick panel and set aside.
The OEM connection is tucked up here near the firewall NOT behind the center console which is what it says in the instructions. Attach the provided cable to the connector and attach the white ground wire to the 10 mm bolt near the bottom rear of the space behind the kick plate that has a buttload of grounds already attached.
2) remove the trim panel underneath the steering wheel (the switch plate comes with it giving easy access).
Choose a blanking plate to remove from the switch plate in the lower trim panel and insert the appropriate new plate and mount the switch.
Redarc recommends using the screws at the back of the knee high airbag to mount the control head, I chose to mount it to a vertical dash brace just behind the switch plate. (Yeah, I ziptied it, the holes were in the right spot and it ain't gonna be jiggling about.)
4)Connect the harness from the vehicle to the control head then connect the switch harness to the switch and control head.
Turn on the key and press the switch in, if the led lights up Bob's your uncle. If not, no big deal, just reverse the switch to control head harness and you should be good to go. (They don't tell you this part but one of the online instruction pages mentioned "use the white plug here" so when it didn't light up I reversed it and it worked.)
5) reattach lower trim panel and kick plate.

30 minutes, tucked away so no knee knocking, easy to reach, very tidy appearance. I'd give it a 9.7, losing 0.3 only because the instructions were for 2019 and older and the OEM plug was moved at some point.

 

Installed mine about a month ago. Very easy install. Only difference is I used a bracket from a member here on the form who custom makes them. Makes it a very simple install.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-redarc-tow-pro-liberty-install.773860/

 

That's a nice looking bracket!

 

I've had the same in my 2020 for 3 years now its great.

 

I ordered one of Pgfitzgerald’s mount plates. It’s a very clean piece and includes all hardware needed to install

I have a controller kit coming.

Anyone have any tips on removing the switch blank without marring the surrounding area?

 

It should just pop out with your fingers once you remove the panel.

 

The bracket is awesome, I'm sad that I couldn't use it because the glass breakage module wants to live in the same place if you install it the way Toyota wants you to. I might move the GBS module...

 

I was in a bind. Had found new camper that ticked off all of wife's 'must-have' boxes. Arranged to go get it (600+mi 10.5hr drive, each way), etc., etc. Realized upon checking further that weight was 2800lbs, over a 1000 more than our old one, and being over 2500lbs, it had brakes(!). Wow, what're those?! So... had to do a shit ton of research and YouTube schooling over a weekend AND find a good, reliable, simple controller AND have it installed & ready for trip in 3 days(!). Settled on Redarc Liberty. Pretty much idiot-proof. No time for special order adapters, so fabbed my own mount out of scrap piece of 1x8 aluminum, cut down to 6.5" and rounded all corners & edges to eliminate risk of slicing, cutting, scratching or tearing up anything (including me) during install. Used steering/airbag brace location and went to work.

Used plastic washers to space the mount off the brace to give room for the Redarc mounting screw heads so as not to put any stress on the Redarc's plastic housing when I tightened everything down. Put a strip of 3M double-sided tape between the Redarc and the aluminum piece. Used a handful of leftover stainless steel nuts & bolts to secure everything and - Presto

Out of the way, functional and fairly easy to install for a total newb and boob like me. LOL. Secure, rugged location; it's not going ANYWHERE. For a thrown together at the last minute affair, I must say it worked out great. I mounted the control knob into the blank switch to the left side of the console, below the cubby. Might move it someday, but since everything's working as it should (and I don't intend to monkey with the settings now that it's all dialed in), I might just leave it as-is.

 

Only issue Ive had with mine, is that its a bit too smart. Ive had it crap out on some trailers because it checks the voltage to ground of the trailer and if it senses a ground issue, it stops working.

Some work trailers I was towing had some older wiring (expected! its a work trailer), and when the brake controller saw that the voltage drop was over (I cant remember) like 1.6 volts or something it stopped working. Not great to find this once your coming to stop somewhere.

Kind of irritating.

Other than that working great.

 

One of my drop hitches had a very rusty ball. It didn’t like it at all. Stitched drops, need to get that ball cleaned up.

 

I just installed a Redarc Liberty in my '20. Really like their brake controllers. I have one in my MDX too, which has worked flawlessly for 4 years towing an offroad-rigged pop-up trailer for lightweight offroading to get to the good campsites. I didn't purchase the Redarc dash switch cover for either one, partially because I'm cheap, and partially because I like to keep the look simple. I just basically removed most of the backing in the blank. Take slow and easy cuts with razor knife and needlenose to pull out chunks; make sure you only remove what you need to fit the switch and leave the parts on the end that clip it into the dash. (Make sure you drill two holes - the main knob and the tiny hole for the light to shine through on top.) You can see what the finished product looks like in the photos. It already has a picture of a trailer on the knob, so it doesn't really need to have "Trailer Brakes" stamped on the plastic insert, in my opinion.

I also mounted it on a very secure stud with nut under the dash. I found this location via the web from someone else -- can't find or I'd give credit. I was going to use a bracket and span to the other stud nearby, but the thing is bolted in so tight I'm not going to even bother. It's just as secure as the install location and method on the Redarc site but is cleaner and less jammed in and doesn't require the $ mounting bracket that they sell.

The mounting location is right in the middle above your knees, and is recessed under the dash lip by maybe 2 or 3 inches. Lay down and look up and you'll see the two studs, ready to use either for mounting.

So, hopefully those two tips can help someone simplify things a bit. I should also mention that the connector for the trailer harness in the footwell was really buried on my Limited. Maybe they don't expect Limited drivers to tow trailers Haha. Anyway, pull the carpet pad back and dig deep toward the firewall before you give up.

 

No, you need to fix the ground wiring on the trailer
The wiring should work with the ball disconnected from the trailer