Has anybody put a 7 pin trailer wire with a brake controller on a Tacoma?

I have a 2004 4x4 5sp 3.4 TRD and I'm looking for information on putting a 7 pin trailer wire with a brake controller on a Tacoma? I'm possibly buying a small travel trailer that weighs around 3700 lbs. The trailer has electric brakes so I'm going to have to install a brake controller and 7 pin wire. Any ideas how hard this is to do and the best brand to use? It has the 4 pin now but obviously I'm going to have to upgrade.

I already have a ball and hitch rated at more than what I need so I'm good there.

 

if you are thinking of pulling anything with a Tacoma that needs trailer brakes then DONT

yes you can drag just about anything with it, but the suspension is not designed to handle or control such a load or stop it, even with trailer brakes.

these trucks were design for hauling small stuff and light loads only

just sayin

 

My 96 has the 7 pin, a brake controller, extra oil cooler, and frame mounted hitch. I assumed it was a factory towing package or something...?

 

I don't believe you could get the first gens with trailer brake wiring, you'll have to run a control wire from the brake controller to the 7 pin. Then a separate power and ground wire straight from the battery to the controller, and lastly tap into the brake light wire so when you hit the brakes the controller is activated. If you do haul anything make sure the load is on the trailers wheels and not on the tongue of the trailer.

 

3700lb camper is alot of weight for a first gen. I tow a 2400lb camper with my 04 v6/manual trans taco 4x4 TRD. I installed a class 3 hitch and brake controller. I also upgraded to the 231mm tundra front brakes, which made a BIG difference in my trucks stopping ability. You may want to consider either a smaller/lighter camper or a bigger truck.

 

Yes, you can install a brake controller and use the 7pin connector.

Tacomas do just fine towing, if the trailer is heavy a weight distribution hitch will help. Just make sure you are within the tow ratings.

I have towed plenty with my 3.4l v6. Most recently towed a 3100lb travel trailer 1500 miles with no issues at all. I used a 4 pin to 7 pin adapter which DOES NOT power the trailer brakes and the truck stopped the trailer just fine. I wouldn't recommend this based on safety- just sharing my experience.

Anything 3,000lbs plus should have working trailer brakes, and the addition of the brake controller will add this ability to your Tacoma.

 

Renting a small 15 footer just under 3,000lbs and the rental place requires a brake controller. Went to uhaul and got the Prodigy 2 installed. Install looked simple. Next weekend is when I'll be pulling it so we'll see how that goes.

 

I have a 7 pin with the brake controler. I halled a 4000 equipment trailer over from eastern Washington after a buddies 05 ford smoked the head gackets. No issues. I have the general hd rear springs and 99 4runner springs with tundra WE front brakes cross drilled.

As long as you don't have like 800 pound tung weight you should be ok.

 

Towed a 3,000lb travel trailer no sweat. On steep inclines I kept it at 55mph pushing 3500 rpm's.

Anybody make it to Coachella this weekend??

 

State by state trailer regs here:

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/

 

Common Sense is your friend I sure would not have my Tacoma as a pulling Rig but once in a while no big deal.

I pull 2000 pound welders quite often I just take my time. Then very seldom more then 200 miles

The light wiring and brake control are simple I have done quite a few over the years.

Then my simple very well could be your impossible.

 

Installed one on my '04 to use with my popup. Easy to install and needed. Trailer pushes truck without it when trying to stop. Getting ready to sell pop up and buy travel trailer, we'll see how the Taco does. If not good combo then Ram ecodiesel on the way.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

I have a 7-pin on mine, just in case I ever need to haul one.

 

You do realize the trailer you want to pull , is almost as heavy as your truck.
That is not good.
I took the7 pin and controller off the truck I bought (95.5 ) , for safety sake .
When I tow , I use my super duty with a V10.

 

@veg hed any luck installing the 7 pin? I have the same set up and I'm looking to do the same. Ready to buy an r-pod 180 or geo pro 19fbs which are around 3700-3900 lbs wet.

I'm doubting these nay-sayers the truck is rated for 5000-6000lb towing weight with the tow package.

 

Wiring it is easy, just follow the diagrams that are out there. The 1st gen were never offered with the "tow package" per se like the 2nd/3rd Gens. There was a towing option that got you the hitch and 4-wire setup (sometimes the green fan clutch w/ higher pitch blades).

The truck is rated for a "Maximum" of 5,000 lbs fully loaded with supplies and gear.

Can the truck do this? Yes. Would most recommend going to the max? Hell no.

Every terrain type factors in as well. Most tests are done on flat surfaces and do not account for the increased usage for going over hills and different inclines.

Also most trailer laws state that a trailer with a gross weight over 3,000 lbs should be equipped with brakes (ref. https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/), each state is slightly different though.

It has been well known that the Tacoma's brakes are adequate for normal operation or light towing. But when you start to get into campers or off-roading that puts increased strain on the braking system, they generally are underwhelming (that's not saying they can't do it, just wish it was better). Hence the warnings about towing (for any vehicle really).

 

@frizzman when i say tow package I'm quoting the owners manual. see the url below and pg 246 of the pdf and pg 238 of the manual. You'll see in the yellow box 5v7-FE engine with tow package is 6000lb. This is where I'm so confused both my manual and the one from the toyota website say 6000lb so does my hitch (which comes with the 4 pin and yes I have the green clutch fan). But both dealership's I've called say 5000lb max tow not 6000.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35814U/pdf/OM35814U.pdf

 

interesting. they may have upped the limit via the owner's manual but no where else? I'll check mine when I get a chance.

I still would not tow more than half that myself with the N/A engine. But you have to be comfortable with your skills. your dry weight is over half to begin with and adding all the gear and supplies is going to make it that much more.

If i were you definitely get the Tundra Brake upgrade done, wire in that 7-pin yourself (again, it's easier than you think once you understand it), and buy a quality brake controller. You'll want to stay in the slow lane most of the time and since you are manual gear selection isn't an issue.

 

If your trailer brakes are properly setup, there is no (minimal) additional strain put onto the tow vehicle's braking system. Your truck brakes handle the truck's weight and the trailer brakes handle the trailer's additional weight.

 

this is true. key word is "properly"

I should have swapped those sentences around in my post, having the trailer brakes part second to illustrate the need.