2020 Trailer Wiring?

Hi Guys:

New to the forum. Just leased a 2020 Tacoma Sport after a long absence from Toyota. Previously had a 2000 Tundra and was very dismayed by Rust and other issues. But, for the money, the TACO has great features now with Apple Car Play, and I'm hoping Toyota has learned not to put out shoddy frames!

Anyway, my truck came with a hitch for towing, but apparently no wire or plug? What is the best way to remedy? Toyota dealer said I had to get a third party harness? I saw one, but it showed having to run a hot lead from front to back for the battery. This seems a bit odd to me, that Toyota wouldn't have the basic wires in place, so I wanted to check with the experts here. ;-)

Cheers!
Lee

 

Look directly to the left of your rear license plate.

 

Ah, I was missing the obvious! I was looking down by the hitch. If it was a snake it would have bit me. Big relief. Thank you!

 

Yes, big time. LOL

 

Welcome to the site. I have a '19 that I installed a brake controller with a special connector that plugged in to the factory harness behind the left kick panel (if you ever need a controller). Very clean install. I do find it interesting that the Tundra comes with the Integrated Trailer Brake (ITB) already in the dash, but is not even an option for the Tacoma (even though 6400 lb towing capacity).

 

I saw something in the manual about that.

My trailer is just a small landscape trailer.

It's odd what features are standard and not. All this fancy stuff with the lights, but they are not fully automatic. On my VW, they just turn on and off as needed during the day/night. But the TACO will control the high beam automatically. Radar controlled Cruise Control, but no Blind Spot warnings? Power seat on driver side only. No heated seats, but AC power in the bed. Odd mix. I was looking at the Ranger because of bad experience with my 2000 Tundra. But the ranger is even more stripped down. You do get Apple Car Play and Remote Start in the Ranger, but the standard screen is tiny.

I feel like I got more for my money in the Taco. The Ranger feels faster and smoother (10 speed transmission and dual turbo), but it just doesn't feel as well put together to me. Residual is much lower on the Ranger, so if your buying out a lease, it could be more attractive. The residuals on the Tacoma are insane. The lease really should be much lower considering the residual, but it's competitive with the competition, so I guess they just don't care. Really odd market dynamics.

 

Depends what packages you have but Automatic Headlights are available.

 

Yeah, minimal. I was trying to keep the price reasonable. I can't believe the costs of these little pickup trucks these days.

 

Mine (SR) has a bunch of bells and whistles (V6, Auto, 4x4, LDS, Auto-dimming headlights, AC, BT, Adapt Cruise etc.)... It does NOT have intermittent wipers...of all things!! Very odd. Love the truck overall. Kicks a$$ in the snow.

 

Lots of SR guys add intermittent wipers, if I'm not mistaken it's not too difficult.