Towing brake controller questions for 07 V6 4x4...

[Martinjmpr]

Wife and I just bought a new travel trailer and it comes with electric brakes. I'm pretty sure my '07 V6 SR5 4runner is set up for a brake controller but I've never really looked around at them and am not sure what to look for.

The 4runner has the 7-pin round connector, and for the last 3 seasons we've run a 7-pin-to-4-pin adapter since our little teardrop only had the 4 wire connector (lights only, no brakes, since the trailer was only 1,000lb or so.)

New trailer is only 1500# dry but includes electric brakes, so I figured "why not install a brake controller?" Especially since we live in CO and go to the mountains a lot.

So here are my questions:

1. Is the wiring for the brake controller already there? Is this a 'plug and play' modification?

2. The last vehicle I owned with a brake controller was a 1967 International Travelall. That had a controller that sat under the left side of the dash and had a little lever to operate the brake. Is that still how they are or are they "automatic" and connected to the vehicle brakes?

Thanks in advance! The dealership is still detailing the new trailer and fixing some minor problems we pointed out, and we'll probably end up picking it up some time in late November or early December. Once we have it I'll post pics.

PPS: Our old home built Teardrop is for sale, too. Anyone who's interested can shoot me a PM. Here's the link to the CL ad (if that's permitted here

Home built Teardrop Trailer

 

[wnelax04sr5]

1. the wiring is there if you have the tow package. mine had a plug and loose wires that i soldered to my controller, took not time at all.

2. there are a few different types. mine has the slide for emergency application, but it has a dial to adjust the braking pressure on the fly and an lcd display to show what level it is at, very simple to use

my father has one that is automatic, it matches the pedal pressure in the vehicle and applies trailer brakes accordingly. mine is made by draw tite, his tekonsha.

mine:
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Draw-Tite/5500.html
dads:
http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html

and all that fit your vehicle, some with included adapters:
http://www.etrailer.com/bc-2007_Toyota_4Runner.htm

 

[Martinjmpr]

1. the wiring is there if you have the tow package. mine had a plug and loose wires that i soldered to my controller, took not time at all.

Hmmm....mine did not have the factory tow hitch, but it did have the 7 wire connector. I'm assuming that means I don't have the tow package?

I guess I'll call around and see what I can find locally. Was hoping it would be plug-and-play but it doesn't look like it's going to be.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Hmmm....mine did not have the factory tow hitch, but it did have the 7 wire connector. I'm assuming that means I don't have the tow package?

I guess I'll call around and see what I can find locally. Was hoping it would be plug-and-play but it doesn't look like it's going to be.

mine had the tow package but no frame mounted hitch, still had the wiring in the glovebox when i got it. it plugs in somewhere under the dash, i can't remember exactly, it was the very first mod i ever did about 4 years ago lol. someone probably knows more than i do, but its possible to get a plug and play unit from etrailer

 

[Staceman]

You should see the plug for your controller. My 2007 came with the factory tow package. The plug for your controller sits just above the driver kick panel.

 

[Staceman]

 

[ebg18t]

Martin - mine did not have the tow package either, but the plug was under the dash. Staceman posted the pic of the plug. I used the Protegy P3 controller and the plug in harness. Bought from Amazon for cheap. The P3 worked awesome! I just received my Protegy RF (wireless) that I am using in my new Touareg.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You know what, I think I DO Have that! I remember seeing a connector down there and not knowing what it was for.

So I just buy the controller and plug it in? Do I need to set it or calibrate it or anything?

 

[ebg18t]

You know what, I think I DO Have that! I remember seeing a connector down there and not knowing what it was for.

So I just buy the controller and plug it in? Do I need to set it or calibrate it or anything?

Buy the P3 controller ($130-ish) and the connection harness ~$17 and you are all set. When you first tow you can set the gain. Pretty simple.