Towing package did not provide connector plug for wiring brake controller

Hi,

I have 2011 TRD that came with towing package. Recently, I have noticed that my tacoma does not have service connector plug to wire brake controller for towing camping trailer. The owners' manual instruction book clearly tells the location of the service connector.

I brought my tacoma to Toyota dealer where I purchased it before. The mechanic said they could not find the plug, but charged me $48. They could not do anything but let me pay. They said they are not sure whether the service connector is supposed to come with the towing package or not, so they did not give me the free service.

My tacoma has towing package but unable to tow safely heavy trailers that use the builtin-brakes. Did my taco come from the factory with incomplete installation of towing package? Or all owners of 2011 Tacoma have to customize the vehicle to install brake controller by owners expense? Please someone give me advices about this issue.

Thank you for your help in advance,

 

Mine came with a harness that would have to be installed, it was in the glove box.

 

To be clear, there is a difference in getting the actual 'towing package' from the factory versus getting a tow hitch that is dealer installed and calling it a tow package.

 

Agreed, you may have a dealer installed tow hitch and add-on harness for brake lights. If the tow package was installed from Toyota there is usually the brake controller harness in the glove compartment. You still need to buy and install a trailer brake controller, it's just the pigtail for the brake controller that is included with the tow package.

 

do you have the factory 7 pin plug to the left of the receiver hitch? If no, then you do not have the factory tow package.

 

49creekers, Your dealer sounds greedy to charge for something like that.

My 2006 came with the "towing package" which consisted of the pink base radiator fan, group 27 battery, supposedly heavy duty alternator but no transmission cooler and only a four pin trailer connector. This was a dealer or port installed option. It was all I needed to tow my 18' center console.

 

That pink rad fan base doesn't indicate anything. I'm a 4cyl with no tow package... I have a pink fan base too.

 

There is a towing section in the Forums drop down menu, and in that forum is this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

Welcome!

 

thanks sr5vic, scratch that pink fan OP.

 

Thank everyone for your comments. My 2011 tacoma has round 7 pin plug to the left of the receiver hitch. so my tacoma should have a towing package from the factory.

 

The connection is behind the driver's kick panel. I found mine buried under electrical tape on a wiring harness located above and to the left of the emergency brake. You should be able to find it and claim your $48 back from the stealership.

Check the pic in Post #6 in the link above.

...and I used a Curt TriFlex and the model specific adapter harness.

Controller:
http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51140

Harness:
http://www.curtmfg.com/part/51362

Inexpensive and works great.

 

My brake controller plug was jammed way up above the dead pedal. Had to reach up under the dash next to the kick panel until I could reach it and pull it down some. Major suckage!. Now it hangs just behind the kick panel.

 

if you dont have the trans cooler (auto trans) and no 7 pin... you do not have a factory toyota tow package.

You have the factory tow package, the plug should be like stated in the left side kick panel... it will be there and it will be burried.

This site will have exactly what you need, and has direct plug n play adapters, no need for the from toyota pig tail... plug one in of the adapter in the controller and the other into the harness and you are good to go.

 

Dear taczilla，lickem66, lickem66

Thank you very much for your comments describing the spot that I need to dig. I could reach the URL that taczilla mentioned.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/#post-35022

I will work for it in this weekend and also claim to Toyota "Stealer"ship for money back.

Have happy ThanksGiving!!

49creekers

 

its hard to spot, its a white connector and like said above it is really buried behind a ball of wires. A friend had to help me find mine. when you buy a brake controller get one already setup for the Toyota Tacoma, worth it. 10 minute install!!!

 

Dear StickShifty,
Thank you for your comments. I keep it in my mind that the connector is buried far far behind a ball of wires.
I will work for it in this weekend.

Best

 

Hi all who kindly gave comments to my post,

I looked into the left behind the foot-brake. There was a ball of wires, but it was hard for me to recognize what looked like the connector. I brought my taco to my favorite garage where I usually ask oil change, tune-up, repairs etc. The mechanic had worked the same thing for Tundra, so he thought it was easy to install harness. However, even he had difficulty in finding the wire connector plug, but finally he made it.

Because I brought TEKONSHA-brand brake controller and brake control harness (for Toyota), I was charged only the cost ($90) for his labor to install the harness and brake controller.

Thanks again for everyone for your coomments!!!

 

Tekonsha t3 is the best controller I've ever used. Glad to hear you found it. Mine was in a ball of electrical tape. The pucker meter was up pretty high when I was using the pocket knife in the factory harness to get to the plug! Go kick that stealership manager square in the balls and demand your money back. Tell him for a $100 you'll train his a-s-s certified loser on how to find wiring harness parts!