Dumb redarc install question (apologies)

I do not want to install my redarc in the dash panel or remove the air bag to install with the custom bracket

I believe I could get an auto electrician to extend the factor harness and allow me to install the brake controller elsewhere in my cab. I rarely tow so I was thinking of doing something like extend the harness and put the brake controller in the side panel of my door when needed then unhook it when I am done and roll up the harness and velcro out of the way.

-Is this idea of extending the harness and keeping somewhere in my cab feasible? Maybe the door is not the best place but somewhere else? Can I just unhook it after use each time?

-Is there any risk to doing this? Like could an altered harness mess with my trucks electronic system or something? I know nothing so apologies for the dumb questions

Thank

 

On a 3rd gen. It's always a risk messing with the electrical

 

Running the wires to the door is going to be a PITA.
You have to fish the wires through the flex grommet.
Plus, I don’t like like running wires in places where the wire gets moved/bent a lot.
Every time you open and close the door, the wires get moved. This is just a place for failure in the future.

I’d recommend not installing it in the door.

 

anywhere you would suggest that is in the cab and a safe place to put it (even if temporarily while in use)

 

Velcro it to a kick panel.

 

I don’t think there’s any need to remove the controller when you’re not using it. Just find a spot that’s out of sight, out of mind, set it, and forget it. I don’t use mine for 8 months of the year and when I need it I plug in the 7 pin, test the trl brakes and tow.

 

I installed my Tow pro elite without any removal of air bag needed. Control
Knob in a knockout plug. Easy.

 

where did you put the brake controller?

 

even in this case that i am plugging brake controller into the tow package? I just was not sure if lengthening the harness had some risk of a electrical surge or something..

 

Do what you feel comfortable with but really, temporarily unscrewing the airbag is allot less difficult than you’re imagining. I think it’s extremely important for these inertial brake controllers to be mounted rock solid for safety reasons. And the dash install is really factory looking.

 

As mentioned above, you can velcro it to the kick panel or any solid surface. You can even velcro it to the spot where the mounting plate you purchased would go (without the mounting plate).

You do not need to remove the airbag to use the mounting plate. I did not remove the airbag. If I remember correctly, you need to remove one bolt that holds one side of the airbag to get the panel off. It's a tight squeeze to get your hand back there but you can get everything bolted up without airbag removal.

If you don't want to put the dial in the dash blank I would look for a different controller. This needs to be in a secure location that you can access in case of emergency.

 

There are plenty of flat smooth surfaces to mount with high quality velcro. It does day in the instructions that it needs to be re-calibrated every time the unit is moved. This kind of left me confused. But, I also could have misread that part. They are pretty responsive at Redarc if you just want to reach out to them.

 

OP did you figure it out?

I installed mine with zip ties up under the dash. No need to mess with airbags. I used the Toyota dash blank too.

The unit needs to be secured in one position, it then calibrates itself over a short period of time with various braking scenarios whilst you’re towing. If you disconnect it and reconnect the unit will need recalibrating again.

In the middle of a big trip I disconnected my truck battery to clean the terminals. When I left the campsite the unit was trying to recalibrate but didn’t for 300 miles as I hadn’t pushed the brake pedal enough times.

Just secure it in one place and be done.

 

A member here makes a mount for the RedArc that results in a factory quality install. Velcro and zip ties are not the way to go.