Towing RV that has its own battery

Hey guys 1st, thanks to Maverick491 for the great info. Very good write ups on all things towing.
Here is what I am planning to do: We have a 2010 DC and a 2005 4cyl 5 spd. Both do not have towing packages.
I am going to wire both up with a 7 blade connector and use the same brake controller.
Questions: The pop up has a battery that should be charging while in transit. Is there anything we should do special for this.
Also, does the 4cyl have a brake controller plug under the dash? I have found a couple of plugs but not sure what they are for.

Thanks for any help and advice
1st trip is to Newfoundland after school gets out. Can't wait.

 

The 4 cylinder does not have a pigtail. You will need to run fused power to the controller, and then wire that to the rear of the truck. It's quite an operation. I did it on my '09. You will also have to wire a second circuit with a fuse and a relay, to have a circuit to charge the RV battery. I wired mine to the DRL's, because the 4 cylinder alternator does not have the capacity to power an RV, while powering all the other loads associated with towing, lighting, and air conditioning. With the relay triggered to turn on when the truck moves, and shut off when you turn the truck lights on. To properly charge the RV and run a refrigerator if it has one requires a minimum 10 gauge wire. The brake controller hot wire can be smaller (12 - 14 gauge.)
Off topic - the wiring will be much easier on the V6, but the 4 cylinder will tow it much more efficiently.

 

Bryanc and I have done the brake controller on the 4 cylinder.It was not that bad, but a good 4-5 hours of work. But I did a very good job that a dealership would not have done. Use the unused hole under the drivers seat to run the wires to the cab. Then get the adapter and attach to tail lights. Then I ran the whole 7 wires up into the drivers side bed storage.It only comes out when I need it. No more worries about salt and corrosion.


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-...oma-access-4cyl-brake-controller-hook-up.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/37058-4-cylinder-towing-review-long.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/13992-brake-controller-4-cyl-5-lug-2wd.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/35798-09-tacoma-owners-brake-controller-where-plug.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/36785-brake-controller-install-help-request.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/25528-08-trailer-wiring-problem.html

 

Thanks for the info. I now have a materials list which I have to purchase and get some time I hope this coming weekend to do this. Everyones input is much appreciated.

 

What about the charging circuit?

 

I am not sure what you mean.

 

How was it wired? You mentioned that you ran all 7 wires back. Did you use a relay, a fused circuit from the battery? I found this part of the wiring above the abilities of a typical DIY'er.

 

I initially did not have the charge circuit. But then added a fused line from the battery back when I decided that having a fully charged battery would be a good idea. This after forgetting to charge battery at home!

Getting all seven wires in the 7 round (bargman plug) is a job than is not easy. The thicker the gauge the harder it is.

It is "okay" to do as a DIY'er. Not easy, put doable. I followed the wiring in a friends vehicle and the posts on the forum.

My old trailer and truck had the flat 4 plug and I was always having problems with salt and corrosion after each winter. Putting the 7 wires in the driver's side storage bin was my solution. I had to make one of the three slots the door fits in larger (I think I used the middle slot) and fed the wires through there. And I broke off the corresponding tab on the storage bin door.

I got all the wires at a local auto supplier. 10 gauge I think. There are also packages available at etrailer.com. Make sure your wire is long enough to fit to your trailer!

 

I would recommend using a relay for the charging circuit, as the starting battery could easily be drained by a discharged RV battery, or even the fridge left on when stopped.

 

To TimS:

I forgot to add that I have been to Newfoundland many many times. I usually spent all of August there at relatives. If you need any ideas of where to go, let me know.

I would recommend the side trip to France. Only 90 minutes from Newfoundland. Go to France for the day!

 

Thanks Crooked Beat. I will for sure have a few questions regarding Newfoundland. Once we get more into the planning stages I'll pick your mind a bit.
Thanks