2013 Prerunner / 2nd gen - 7 pin harnesses for towing

Hi all,

I have a 2013 prerunner, does not have stock tow package.

I'm stuck building one of my own, I have a class 3 hitch in, and a trans cooler on the way.

I've towed smaller trailers and have the in-line 4-pin trailer kit that splices into the taillights, no issue. I bought a smaller camper I want to pull, but I now need a 7 pin for electric brakes on the camper.

My analysis-paralysis here is that I'm trying to avoid running the brake controller and power lines if I can, and its weird the prerunner was seemingly the ONLY model that didn't have the tow package.

I verified that I have the five pin connector behind the left kick panel, which is where you would find it for those that have the tow package. it runs into the main umbilical, and becomes one of 100 wires in there. Probably more cost effective to have one harness for all trims.

Question here is, for those with a 2nd gen, when you trace back FROM your existing 7 pin connector (that connects to the trailer plug) towards the front, are there any other break points with connectors, and if not, where do the lines actually run?

Ideally I would like to see if there's any areas to splice into the circuit if it terminates somewhere.

 

I don’t have the answer to your question but here’s something to keep in mind. No matter what you do or add to your truck you cannot increase the tow weight capacity. I believe your tow capacity is 3500lbs. So adding all the components of a tow package will not chance tow capacity. Only the manufacturer can change official tow weight and that just doesn’t happen. So keep this in mind if you are towing more than 3500lbs you’ll be towing over weight which is illegal. The problem is if towing overweight and you are involved in an accident you are in deep shit and you may be sued for an amount beyond the limits of your insurance policy.

 

Hi Ken,

This was debated in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towing-capacity-of-2013-4x2-prerunner.483117/

The frame can handle 6500, as every other model in the manual has that rating. Seems anything without a factory hitch and trans cooler (the "tow package") got knocked down to 3500, which makes sense. probably preventing people from blowing up transmissions. I don't think it means that if those aren't added we can't do what the frame can handle.

Basically the argument is a trans cooler, to which is already in the mix. Let's move past that part, would appreciate any and all pointers to the existing wiring harness if possible, otherwise looks like I'm running things manually.

 

The thread below has some info and a part number for the 7-pin. It looks like there are multiple harnesses involved. One terminates at a block behind the driver's kick panel, with the other end near the license plate. Check those places, but I don't think what you need will be there. If it didn't come with a tow package, I doubt it's fully pre-wired or has the larger amp towing fuses. You will have to add a brake controller regardless. How much work is involved will depend on whether the truck is pre-wired.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-towing-harness-install.599912/

 

Sorry but you are incorrect. It doesn’t matter what you do to your truck, add all the changes and mods you want , you cannot legally change the factory tow capacity. You can mod it up and increase the trucks ability to tow heavier but it doesn’t matter, you cannot change the trucks legal tow capacity as set and designated by the manufacturer. So your truck is 3500lb tow capacity. You add triple leafs, double shocks, 3 tranny coolers , reinforce the frame and on and on, your legal tow capacity remains 3500lbs. Then you hook up a 5500lb trailer. Going down a hill you can’t stop in time and crash into a car killing or severely injuring the occupants. You of course are at fault but since you were towing heavy, way over manufacturers capacity, your liability just increased. You’ll be sued for an amount likely beyond your policy max limits. And you could face criminal liability (jail).
While it is unlikely you will be caught for towing dirty, should you have an accident you’ll be in deep shit. And fyi police and highway patrol accident investigators are trained and look at load and capacity in their investigations.

 

@LFOD ,

thanks for bringing this up. It's exactly this diagram that's throwing me the curveball, and giving me hope, when I probably don't have any.

This diagram shows the #2 identifier here, indicating that these #2 parts would only be present in the towing package:


The only parts in this diagram that are tied to the #2/tow package are in fact the olive green 7-pin assembly that connects into that teal-colored umbilical that goes to the front.



By reading this, it makes it sound like only that piece is included in the tow package, and the rest pre-exists.

I was under the truck yesterday, didn't see anything other than 1) from the drivers side to above the gas tank, 2) over the differential, 3) and to the taillights.


Appreciate the help.

 

^^^ He’s right, you know

 

@Ken

I'm the new guy in here, so I'm going to keep it civil, and know my place. I appreciate your concern.

I understand towing capacities. You didn't ask, nor did I advertise, how much the trailer weighs.

Lets say, for the sake of trolling the thread, we're past this, and I want to have a simple trailer with a 7-pin hookup for a brake controller.

 

I’m not trying to hassle you. It sounds like you are trying to increase tow capacity, I just wanted to let you know you cannot do that. Just wanted for your sake to inform you of the potential problems with that. I think I’ve done that so I’m outta here, wont step on this thread again.