REDARC Tow-Pro Elite Install and BS thread

Thought I'd start a thread on this for cumulative information with a focus on 3rd gen Tacoma.

I installed mine about a year ago when I did my driver side cubby work but only used it for the first time yesterday while towing a 6x12 with electric brakes. I found it fantastic.

I doubt there are too many installation questions, for the most part it's a matter of a secure mounting spot with zip ties or metal brackets.

The optional toyota small switch blank makes installation easy and painless. I swapped my cable between knob and controller to a shorter to save on clutter.

The plug and play harness along with the built in connector on third gens makes it a breeze.

I figure this thread will be mostly BS but maybe some good tips to share about the towing experience with this controller. It definitely seems to be a crowd favorite.

Also, this bracket is sublime, a must have if yours is a 3rd gen Tacoma:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-redarc-tow-pro-liberty-install.773860/#post-27652903

 

Did you make or buy the shorter cable. If purchased....where?

 

I used cat 6 network cable and it works fine. Any RJ45 is probably going to work. I’d bet it only uses two of the four pairs, one for signal in and one for the LED.

 

Just redid my install a week or so back. I have mined mounted on the certification ECU bracket. Originally with the cables vertical, but kept kicking the harness whiling getting in and out. Swapped to horizontal this time around. Mine is the liberty model, which uses a network patch cable. I was gonna make a custom length this time, but a 1ft one fit perfectly.

 

The liberty still uses an RJ45 patch cable, as did the V2 elite. The V3 elite now uses something different.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-redarc-tow-pro-liberty-install.773860/

 

Looking for experience on gain, other than the 5 initial setting. Picking up a 6x12 aluminum trailer next week, 855lb unloaded. Will be my first time towing with a Redarc.

 

Installed my towpro elite about a month ago. I opted to get a 2 switch overhead panel from Meso so I would have easy access to the remote control knob. Also got the 13 foot remote cable from Redarc to make the run. Getting the cable up there wasnt bad at all.

Easy passthrough over to the passenger side with plenty of ziptie options:


Removed passenger A pillar and used a coat hanger to pull remote cable up thru gap:


Then used a plastic pry tool to gently make a gap where headliner meets windshield and routed the cable to the overhead console:


And done!

 

Wondering if anyone has done this on their 3rd Gen without tow package?

 

Anyone have any updates about their installs in 3rd Tacomas? I am looking at this for my 2023 TRD Sport, but even looking at the Redarc website and Amazon store, shows conflicting information about which Redarc wiring harness is correct for Tacomas with the factory installed tow package. Even their website cannot agree which years pertain to which Tacoma generations (IE. one place says 2013-2015 3rd Gen, while another says 2023 is a 4th Gen). Leads me to really doubt I will get the correct plug-n-play harness from them. It's the weekend for them in Australia, so I have asked but don't expect to hear from them till Sunday the soonest.

I did learn that Redarc offers a different insert for the 21-23 TRD Tacoma that already have something in the upper blank location (my Tacoma as the 360 view button there). It is a non-labeled insert:

Switch insert panel to suit Toyota Tacoma/Tundra/Cruiser
TPSI-007, USD $10.50

 

Third Gen blank plate is Toyota small. Unless wanting to place it in the driver side cubby tall spot (only one of those, reserved for clutch start cancel on manual transmission so a frequently used one for AT if you haven’t already swapped out the driver cubby with a MESO one)

The harness should be the same for all 3rd gen Tacomas, 4 wires from the factory brake controller to the RedArc. Power in, brake controller out, ground and parking light for switch illumination.

 

Thank you.

I edited my above post to be more clear. My Tacoma only has one open spot and it's the larger insert (I believe what you are referring to as "tall spot" - Located: Left driver's knee, bottom row of buttons, on the far right). My upper location shown and used in the following Redarc video currently contains my 360 View button. The part number is for the Redarc insert for that larger insert location.

https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/resources/brake-controllers-videos/tow-pro-install-tacoma/

 

Exactly. You are AT. We MT need that for clutch start cancel which only comes in tall.
If you ever swap the entire cubby for a new one (I have a MESO switchpros) then you can keep the tall or swap to all small and get a new insert.

The small size also fits in the lower switch panel and the overhead. Honestly, I would be tempted by the overhead if I hadn’t filled all 6 with 3 garage opener switches. It’s not as intuitive up there but it’s out of the way of knees when getting in and out.
The OEM tall spot is a good pick though. As far inboard as you can get for the driver cubby.

 

Thanks again for the feedback.

Now to get the trailer brake ordered and find or make that bracket (it's not on Amazon).

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-redarc-tow-pro-liberty-install.773860/#post-27652903

 

Excellent! Thank you, @daveeasa.