Brake Controller - Non-Tow Package

Hey guys, I was wondering how much of a pain in the ass it would be to wire up a brake controller (probably Redarc Elite) in a truck that didn't come with a tow package. I have a 2017 SR5 DCSB 3.5l

I added trailer lights a few years ago with the following:

Wiring Harness:

$69 CURT 56349 Vehicle-Side Custom 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness, Fits Select Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074HBSQ5B?ie=UTF8

Replaced 4-pin plug on above harness with this 7-blade plug:

$27 Hopkins Towing Solutions 40985 Universal Multi-Tow Harness Connector

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Q87T6E?ie=UTF8

OEM Looking connnector:

$26 Hopkins Towing Solutions 40974 Multi-Tow 7 Blade and 4 Flat Connector (Packaging may vary),3.25 x 3.88 x 6.88,grey

https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-4097...t=&hvlocphy=1014226&hvtargid=pla-435820833281

I've also added a Mishimoto transmission cooler since my truck didn't come with one.

The wiring harness just connects to the back of my tail lights to get the basic signals for brake lights, running lights, turns, etc. The trailer brake & reverse wires from the 7-blade multi tow connector are currently not connected to anything and just hanging out behind one of my tail lights.

I've been wanting to up my towing game by adding a trailer brake controller and bigger trailer but I'm not sure how to make the connection. I've seen a bunch of videos of people using a harness behind the kick panel when installing the trailer brake controller but I'm sure if I even have that connecter that it won't do anything in it's current state because the plug on my rear bumper doesn't have OEM wiring.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Also this was my first truck and I bought it used and didn't know anything about tow packages or else I would've bought the right thing the first time!

 

I think I may have answered my own question, I think I just need to use this instead of the plug and play harness that comes with the Redarc Tacoma kit.

https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/tow-pro-pig-tail-brake-controller-wiring-harness

I just need to wire this Redarc pig tail harness:


To the Hopkins Multi-Tow Harness:


I believe I have the backup, electric brakes, and aux power wires not connected right now. I'll obviously need to run the blues together which makes sense. I'm not sure where to run the purple and red yet.

 

I did it on my SR. It wasn’t hard at all. I routed some of the wires through the firewall and 1 up through the door sill. I used a Redarc controller due to the lack of space in my 5 speed manual.
My 4 cylinder had dealer installed OEM hitch and 4 pin wiring.

 

That’s what I used. Tapped into the wire from the brake pedal.

 

Right on, did you do anything with the Aux and reverse wires? (Purple and red)

 

Didn’t use the reverse wire, but I did hook up auxiliary power. I added a relay tied into a fuse that’s only powered up when my truck is on. No danger of draining the battery.

 

I'm doing the same thing right now. Where did you tap the Red wire? I bought the connector with the REDacr because my truck has the factory connector but no red wire. Its an offroad but was a rental truck for 8000 miles before I got it and no tow package. I had to add transcooler, hitch and 7/4 pin. Just trying to wire up brake controller now and not sur where to land the red wire.

 

Sounds like you are in the exact same boat as me, I did all the same as well.

The red wire is optional but nice to have. I originally had it on a fuse in the engine bay but I ended up blowing that fuse and breaking down on the side of the highway, so I highly recommend to leave that whole fuse box alone lol. You can run it through your firewall and pick any accessory fuse in there and be good to go.

I personally have mine disconnected right now because I have so many add a fuses that I’m going to just consolidate everything onto one of these this fall. https://overlandequipped.com/produc...coma-2016-present?_pos=1&_sid=67c9dce2e&_ss=r

My trailer has a solar panel and I have a generator so I’m not that concerned with keeping the batteries topped off at the moment.

 

I forgot about that red wire. I thin I hooked it straight to the power (I need to check that). What about the red wire from the brake controller. You mention hooking in to the brake trigger. Where is that located?

 

Oh gotcha, misread your question.

I stole the signal from the factory harness that’s by the cab fuse box. I cut wire 9 and attached the red wire to that. Even if your truck didn’t have the factory tow package you should still have this harness floating around back there.

 

Awesome , I will look for that tonight. From what I have found its a violet colored wire. thanks again!

 

Yes I believe it is violet. No problem!

 

Did your truck still have this? I have the harness and maybe just need the blue wire ran to the back....not sure.


Sorry its two pictures, bottom is the hook up.

 

“I've been wanting to up my towing game by adding a trailer brake controller and bigger trailer”
Since you don’t have a tow package your max tow weight is around 3500lbs. Sounds like you are planning to exceed that max tow weight. How much gross trailer weight do you plan to tow? Keep in mind that no matter what add ons or mods you install on your truck it won’t increase the stated max tow weight by even 1 lb. If you tow in excess of the manufacturer stated tow weight max there could be serious consequences. If you have an accident, especially an injury accident while towing dirty your liability increases , possibly beyond the limits of your liability insurance. There can be other liability factors too. Just wanted to throw this out there in case you are not aware of the potential problems.

 

Sticker on the inside of my door states 5600LB, same as my friends with tow packages included.

 

Will you take a picture of the back of the harness in the same orientation as the one I posted in post #10?

 

Pictures should be attached now.

 

The purple wire on the back of that harness needs to be connected to the red wire of your REDARC.

 

I think I am going to try and use the connection with the REDarc "factory" connection. I will just have to run a cable to the back of the truck for the blue wire. I cannot find where it stops on the truck but it did not go to the back.

 

Yeah if you got REDARC's factory harness connector you should be able to just attach it to that harness. But you're correct in that you will still have to run the blue cable back to your 7 pin plug.