Trailer brake control

Bought a trailer today (not that knowledgeable about this stuff) with braking capability. Just assumed this capability would be integrated into my 2019 Tacoma with off-road package. So, is it? No controls in the cab. Do I assume the brakes on trailer are automatically working with my Tacoma brakes? I don't want to jack the trailer up, free spin the wheels, and hit the brakes to test it. Please help.

 

All I know is meso customs make a cool lil panel that fits a break controller and it fits in the lil cubby on the left side of steering wheel.

 

Your taco is prewired for a trailer brake controller that you need to buy separately and add on. Best option is the Redarc that can be hidden a lot easier, or there's the Tekonsha Prodigy.

 

Your trailer brakes won't work until you purchase and install a brake controller.

Tacoma's are a little weird in this aspect - they come prewired for a brake controller, but they dont come with one. You will need both a controller, and to make things easy, a wiring adapter to plug into the socket that's hidden behind the drivers side kick panel, just above the dead pedal.

 

Thanks folks. This is really disappointing. All of the ridiculous gadgets on my truck and they don't have a brake control feature. Ugh.

 

I’m looking at this to use with my Jeep or TRD OR. No wiring required and it can be moved between vehicles.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html?feed=npn

 

Get a tekonsha. T3 is the fancy screen, T2 is the same with just a number display.

Easy peasy and they work great. That Bluetooth wireless jobby sounds like a nightmare when you are coming down a hill and need an emergency manual brake..

 

Actually, the app on your phone provides the manual brake. I have a friend who uses an old iphone to dedicate to the app so that his regular iphone links to the tow vehicle.

 

yeah, no thanks. I’ll leave the phone apps for fb and candy crush. When it’s 4800lbs pushing my 5200lbs truck and the light turns up ahead I like having direct control over my brakes.

 

Trailer brakes can be electric (controlled by a brake controller on the truck) thru (most commonly) the 7 pin connector. Most common on travel trailers, etc. The braked axles on the trailer will have electric wires attached to the trailer harness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_friction_brake

Or trailer brakes can be surge, where tongue force from the trailer onto the vehicle ball compresses a master cylinder that operates hydraulic brakes on the trailer (all this self contained to the trailer). This is common on boat trailers. Identifiable by special hitch coupling with a sliding mechanism. (may be 4 pin, 7 pin, etc). There will be hydraulic tube running from the special hitch coupling to the braked axle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overrun_brake

Surge brakes dont need brake controller, electric brakes do.

Your state laws may define requirements for maximum trailer weight (without brakes). My 2017 Tacoma owners manual says 1000 lb max for a trailer without brakes.

 

Tekonsha

Put it in two tow vehicles and never had any issues.

 

Tekonsha P3

 

So I'm looking at the tekonsha p3 brake controller but have difficulty finding the adapter for the tacoma I have the tow package. If anyone could link all the things I need to get for this brake controller that would be awesome!

 

No plug and play harness is available on their website for a 2008. You might have to hardwire one in.

 

here's mine with Meso's panel.

 

I used a Redarc on my 2018. Love the clean look on install.

 

It has to be one of those how do we save money things for Toyota. I mean everything is there, pre-wired. I bet many trd buyers never will use the trailer hitch, and even more on electric brakes. I just added the red arc in anticipation of getting an off road teardrop.

 

That looks super clean. How much did that set up run you?

Mines an 08

 

I like how minimal that is. Do you have a link to it? And how did you install the switch? Did it come like that or did you cut a hole into the existing switch cover?

I have an 08 btw

 

130 for Meso's panel and 184 for the Tekonsha P3 + plug and play harness. (314)