Stuck in trailer mode

It’s the classic problem of developers/designers/engineers not using what they create. There’s a lot of stuff that would be different if they had to drive them daily for a month.

 

Lawyers..

 

2024 Tacoma Off Road no brake control option and used only 4-prone plug. Same problem. Stuck in Trailer Assist after pulling a 4x8 utility trailer. I went to Dealer and made appointment the service manager said this was new to them and could he take a quick look at my truck. did not have my trailer hooked up at the dealers. after a few mins he gave up and schedule me for and appointment for this Monday the 29th. that warning was bugging the shit out of me. So, I went out and went through the whole set up again and drove about 20 feet forward and then backed up the same 20 feet and the message came up Trailer Detected YES OR NO. When unhooked the first time I pulled I just pulled into where I park it and unhooked never did back it up the first time that why that message never popped up, I am thinking. I Push No, now all my safety features are working, and message trailer attach Assist is gone. So, I tried hooking everything again Iam Gluten for punishment and went through the same unhook procedure. Pulling forward and backing. I left truck runner and first turnoff Tow Haul and deselected my trailer. Did a few more times and seem to work just fine. Iam not sure this a fix for now and it should be just and On and Off procedure. I hope this helps Can't hurt to try.

Tom C,

 

I ran to the same problem after disconnecting the trailer. My system wouldn't go back to normal it kept saying trailer driving assist. What I had to do is connect the trailer to the truck ball. I did not connect the electronics. I rode it for 10 seconds and the trailer alert came on whee it asks if you have trailer. That's where you can select no and everything will be back to normal.

 

. I ran to the same problem after disconnecting the trailer. My system wouldn't go back to normal it kept saying trailer driving assist. What I had to do is connect the trailer to the truck ball. I did not connect the electronics. I rode it for 10 seconds and the trailer alert came on whee it asks if you have trailer. That's where you can select no and everything will be back to normal.

 

So today I used my utility trailer, one of two I have saved in the computer. When I was finished, I unhooked it and I can’t remember the exact wording but this time when the computer displayed, “Trailer is not detected yes/no”, I said “Yes”. Apparently as in, “Yes, you are correct, oh wise engineer in the box, there is no trailer connected”. Holy phuck.
Now after 5 weeks it no longer sees the invisible trailer. I also have all driver support like lane guidance etc back.
Had this prompt periodically resurfaced and gave me the chance to try reverse-psycho-answering, I may have been able to achieve this milestone sooner.
The software should ask, “Is a trailer connected yes/no?”.

 

You would think they would have pushed a software update by now. Probably chickened out after the Crowdstrike fiasco.

 

For me it's all about using the 7-pin plug. I pulled my boat for the first time in my new Limited to the shop for service. After that I was stuck for days in Trailer Assist. After reading this thread I took a 7-pin adapter for my 4-pin harness when I picked my boat up. When I got home I pulled my boat into it's spot, left the truck running, unhooked everything, drove around to park, got the screwy question, answered YES. Done deal.

I'm changing both my boats over to 7-pin plugs.

If it matters, I do have an integrated brake controller which isn't needed yet.

 

OMG, just used my utility trailer and system worked as designed for the first time.
1. Hooked up trailer with flat 4 connection.
2. Truck said it noticed trailer was hooked up, Yes or No. I said yes.
3. Drove around with a few Rt and Lt turns, backed up and all worked great.
4. Backed up and disconnected trailer, pulled away and drove around with a couple Rt and Lt turns.
5. Question came up that no trailer was connected Yes or No, I answered No.
The system shut off the trailer mode and all was well in the world of Taco trailering woes.

I hope next time I need to use my trailer it works right again!!!

 

Based on posts 168 & 169, it appears that “yes” is the correct answer for a 7 pin, no trailer, and “no” would work for a 4 pin, no trailer.

 

Has anyone figured out a solution that doesn't involve re-attaching a trailer...for example me when I used a Uhual trailer that I don't own? Wondering if putting tape over the rear parking sensors will make it ask that question?

 

It's my understanding the truck senses the trailer with the rear camera and the trailer wiring.

After unhitching, I answered yes, confirming the trailer was unhitched. The only problem I have now is that when I start the truck, I get a notice that my TBC (brake controller) is not available. It goes away... but.

 

For what it is worth, there are 2 different ways for the 2024 Tacoma to "see" a trailer and not activate the collision warnings when you back up. The first is simple and is not causing any problems, any trailer with 7pin connector and electric brakes the system senses the trailer through the electrical connector. The second that many are having a problem with is when using a 4pin connector or 7pin with no electric brakes. The sensing of the trailer is done by the blind spot monitors and works well when you connect the trailer but has caused consternation when disconnecting. When disconnecting your trailer YOU MUST shut off the truck for at least 90 seconds then after you disconnect the trailer and start the truck to drive away the selection message will come up and you can say "Yes" the trailer is disconnected. Remember to hold the button on the steering wheel pad for a few seconds. For any of you that are stuck with the message and no trailer, re-connect your trailer and drive at least 50 feet and turn left or right until you get the message and confirm with the button on the steering column "YES" you have a trailer. After this disconnect the trailer using the above method. Please remember YOU MUST turn the truck off to start the disconnection cycle and tell the system you are no longer pulling the trailer. Hope this helps everyone.

 

Had same issue. Took to dealer and they couldn’t fix it but have ordered a new trailer module. We’ll see what happens.

 

I unfortunately joined the stuck in trailer mode club today with my SR5. Here's a step by step of what I did:
Hooked up my utility trailer. Connected the 4 pin flat connector. Cranked up. Went into setup and added a utility trailer, selected it and clicked the Tow Haul mode button.
When I started driving, the MID informed me that it detected a trailer and asked for confirmation. I clicked Yes. All good for getting going. I drove around a bit and then headed back home.

Deselected utility tariler in setup. Turned off Tow Haul mode. Turned off ignition. Unhooked the trailer and 4 pin flat connector.

Waited a few minutes and then cranked up and was notified that trailer is detected (even though it was not, and I didn't have a yes/no option). The safety features were disabled. Drove around and stayed stuck in trailer mode.

Turned off the ignition. Connected the trailer, but not the 4 pin flat connector. Cranked up and drove forward about 20 feet. Then backed up about 20 feet. That's when the MID detected a trailer connected and asked for confirmation. I answered NO and the safety features reenabled.

So, next time I tow the trailer I'm going to try: turn off the ignition. Wait minute or so. Crank up. Drive forward and then back up. Hopefully the trailer detected message will show up and I can say NO to get out of trailer mode.

 

EUREKA!!!

I can't believe that I didn't bother to read what's on the dash until this weekend. Here's the sequence of events:

1. hooked up utility trailer
2. start truck and start driving
3. got a message that the trailer was detected and I answered yes
4. got to camp, unpacked, had a couple sausages and a beer
5. unhooked the trailer and started the truck and headed to the store for more beer
6. got message trailer detected and I answered no, but vaguely noticed while holding OK that it said not detected
7. got beer
8. loaded beer in truck
9. started the truck and started driving and the message popped up again and this time I read the message, it said trailer not detected, yes or no to confirm.
10. I answered Yes this time and back to normal mode

Steps 4, 7 and 8 optional, but recommended.

 

Definitely a “yes, we have no bananas”, situation!

 

Finally got my TRD Sport unstuck from trailer mode. Hooked up my empty boat trailer to drop it off at the marina. Unhooked trailer and drove off, only message was "Trailer detected", tried everything imaginable to get it out of trailer mode, nothing worked. Every time I started up I got trailer detected message.

Fast forward, went to pick up trailer from marina (boat loaded now). Hooked up trailer, now it's asking question "Trailer Detected Yes/No", pulled boat back to house and unhooked, pulled away slowly, asked question again and I replied no. Everything back to normal

It appears Toyota's software is having difficulties detecting when the trailer is disconnected and will continue to assume that the trailer is still connected. So if you are still having issues try connecting the trailer again (or any available trailer). If you disconnect the trailer be sure you get the "Trailer Detected Yes/No" before driving off else your screwed.

A few thoughts, Toyota needs a software fix on this asap, absolutely no reason for this to lock up like this. Also if you have a basic utility trailer (no brakes) answer "No" to the first question trailer detected, just be sure to turn off backup alarm sensor to stop automatic braking.

 

I got “trailer not detected” when I drove off without the trailer. So I had to answer yes. The message is almost identical, only difference is the “not”, which changes the answer. The answer is yes when connecting and yes disconnected.

 

This is what I meant after driving trailerless.