Tacoma Trailer Brake Controller Frustration

We love our new Tacoma SR5 short bed; but I'm completely frustrated by Toyota's policy re: trailer brake controllers. I had no idea when we ordered this vehicle that:

1) It wouldn't have a controller;
2) If you don't add the controller at the time of purchase, dealers can't install one;
3) Or that Toyota recommends that an aftermarket controller not be installed.

I specifically made sure that the truck had a hitch and a trailer connector, 4WD low, the multi-link rear suspension, and towing capability. When the truck was delivered, the salesman said that, if you want a controller, it needs to be installed at the factory and Toyota dealers are not able to install them. Has anyone else experienced/solved this problem?

 

Welcome to TW...

 

Thanx

 

what are you towing...

 

Red Short Bed


While that might be descriptive to you, adding the year and other details are helpful to people trying to help you

 

How many pounds is your trailer ?
Mine is 3000 dry weight.
My 2023 TRD V6 4x4 Long Bed Tacoma pulls it perfectly fine with no brake controller. The breaking system works great so far the few times I pulled it but I haven’t had to slam in the breaks in an emergency stop yet. Of your trailer is heavy you might want one in case of an emergency stop with lots of weight behind you.
I did have a brake controller in my previous 2019 TRD short bed v6 and it seems to work great in many tows over the years but I also had the same 3000 light weight trailer.

 

I suspect your salesman is an... well... I try not to use that term for people I don't know.

I just installed a brake controller in my truck. It's not a new truck, and in that respect yours may be different, but I'd bet there is a connector to put in a controller already in the wiring harness. Mine was up under the dash on the left/drivers side and a bear to find... but once found all I had to do was plug in the controller bought to fit the vehicle and find a place to mount it out of the way. Really easy... and the aftermarket places will charge you way too much for doing it and may be incompetent and cut wires instead of finding the already installed connector. You tube probably has a video to help you.

 

Is this for a 4th gen?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...r-brake-controller-oem-or-aftermarket.835513/

 

Just grab a Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty and install it yourself. I did and never looked back. It went in easy, comes with everything you need for installation, and is simple to install. The only part that required a bit of time was fishing out the controller plug hidden deep behind the driver kick panel under a tight bundle of wires. And never buy anything from that dealer again, or, at least from that salesman.

 

Good suggestion. Done.

 

Haven't got a trailer yet. Size will depend on resolving brake control problem.

 

Unless things changed since 3rd Gen trucks, if you have the tow package on your truck, it should have the brake controller pigtail already wired in. On my 2nd Gen 2011 it was hidden behind the kick panel next to the parking brake pedal. Dig it out, buy an aftermarket controller (I have a Tekonsha and love it) and figure out where to mount it so you can use the manual control easily if/when needed. Amazon has the correct connector adapter so it will plug right in to the Tacoma harness. I put mine between the small loose change compartment and the hood release, in front of where my left shin is when I'm seated.

 

Believe there is a thread for the 4G's that needed to add an aftermarket trailer brake controller. I did a quick search but did not find it. One on the 4G forum and I think one on the towing forum. Installation did not sound easy, as there is no plug under the dash (like the 3Gs) for it to easily plug into if I recall correctly.

I had a 4G and because I tow occasionally, I specifically had to find one with the right package to get the brake controller (which forced me to get other things in the package I didn't need), but the factory controller is a little finicky to say the least. You hook up a trailer, and the truck has to decide to "see" it, and then asks you a question that if you answer incorrectly, will set you back some time to get reset. Same when you unhook the trailer - drive a bit and the truck realizes there is no trailer attached, and asks a question to confirm that. If you answer incorrectly, some folks had they trucks stuck in 'trailer' mode, which shuts off some of the safety suite items.

My truck also wouldn't recognize one of my trailers, even though that trailer worked fine on my old truck and my neighbors new Chevy. Frustrating - they made it hard for 4G owners (so I eventually let my frustration get the better of me, and traded it for a 3G and its simplicity).

 

Another vote for the RedArc. It's dead simple to install and doesn't take up a lot of room. I did my own on my '23 and it took about an hour 'cause I work slow.
I had a Tekonsha on my '11 and it was great except the control box was always in the way.

 

Just installed a Redarc in my 2008. The only difficult part was finding a mounting place. PIA. Redarc sells a mounting bracket, but I didn't buy it. Short strip of cheap metal for $25-$30 - nope. I feel a mounting bracket should come with it. Anywho, screwed it to the firewall and called it done.

 

Red Arc Towpro Liberty is what I have in my 2020 SR5. easy install works good. doesn't bang your knee like the Tekonsha Primis IQ I had in my jeep.