Brake controller harness for 4th gen Tacoma?

[sopranojam]

Maybe so, but I’m not tearing into any wiring harnesses when the Curt Echo is literally plug and play.

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[PerpetualTraveler]

Agree. But, why should I have to spend around $200 when I already have a brake controller that should be able to be hard wired like previous Tacos?

 

[geonerdist]

Is it still possible there is a hidden harness for the OEM controller? They sell the switch for it so maybe . We need someone to dig into a wrecked one and find that harness. Or experiment with one. I’m thinking there must be a way to wire in the OEM unit.

I crawled under the dash of mine and did not see a harness in the area that the OEM controller gets installed. Unless it's really well hidden...

 

[Lando]

In my opinion you do not want a Bluetooth or wireless trailer brake controller. Trailer brakes need to be hard wired and work, period.
With two phones hooked up to my truck and areas with spotty reception I don’t want to be fiddling with wireless connectivity at anytime towing a trailer.

 

[sopranojam]

In my opinion you do not want a Bluetooth or wireless trailer brake controller. Trailer brakes need to be hard wired and work, period.
With two phones hooked up to my truck and areas with spotty reception I don’t want to be fiddling with wireless connectivity at anytime towing a trailer.

As I understand it, the Curt Echo always works and is directly hard connected. The Bluetooth is only for adjusting sensitivity when changing to a different trailer. Once you set it you don’t need Bluetooth for it to just keep working at that setting. I agree with what you’re saying and whatever I get I want it to be reliable.

 

[PerpetualTraveler]

As I understand it, the Curt Echo always works and is directly hard connected. The Bluetooth is only for adjusting sensitivity when changing to a different trailer. Once you set it you don’t need Bluetooth for it to just keep working at that setting. I agree with what you’re saying and whatever I get I want it to be reliable.

Don’t think it’s hard wired. Unit just plugs into the 7way, but I could be wrong since I’ll don’t have one!

 

[sopranojam]

Don’t think it’s hard wired. Unit just plugs into the 7way, but I could be wrong since I’ll don’t have one!

Correct, it plugs into the truck’s 7 pin.. no hard wiring needed. Trailer plugs into other side

 

[Lando]

This is frustrating. I don’t want to risk a shop doing it and having issues with my truck. Wish I could just have the OEM one. Anyone know any good shops in Canada, BC or maybe Alberta.

May have to trade-in in a year for a higher model. So frustrating, never had an issue with old trucks to get one.

 

[ollie03031]

Just bought a 2025 extcab, basically a two door Tacoma. I expected a brake controler and of course it does not have one. My 2016 tacoma had the socket and installation of a controller was easy. i accepted the truck even though it did not have a controller because everyone figured it would have the connector. Now after doing an internet search on 2025 Tacoma and brake controllers i find this web sight. I have my salesman and his service dept. looking into seeing if the stock Toyota controller can be installed but this site makes it sound close to hopeless. I am not quite ready to cut into cables yet but if nothing better comes up in the next couple months will pass the instructions listed previously to my dealer to have them do the install.
Ollie

 

[jharger]

Assuming the dealer has a good wiring diagram that same wire has to be under the dash somewhere and would be much easier the tap into there. Just be sure to use a diode to prevent back-feed from the controller.

 

[Sagebrush]

Trailer brakes need to be hard wired and work, period.

The Bluetooth is just for the settings.

 

[Mosolo121]

Unfortunately, the manual says Toyota doesn't recommend the use of a third party trailer brake controller with this truck. That's quite frustrating, as other OEMs that offer factory-installed brake controllers also have provisions for aftermarket controllers.

I read the same part of the manual about using a third party brake controller and my interpretation is that a third party brake controller should not be used with the existence of the OEM brake controller. So I think if there isn't one installed then a brake controller can be added. Just my take on the Toyota manual jargon.

 

[ollie03031]

My dealer after tearing everything apart trying to find a connector to install a Toyota Brake Controller gave up and recommended this Bluetooth controller; CURT 51180 Echo. It’s an interesting option but after reading the reviews it had a couple of things I did not like. I am leaning towards the Tekonsha Prodigy RF wireless. Even though it’s more expensive it does not interfere with the iPhone And has less chance of becoming disconnecte.

 

[paranoiccritic]

Assuming the dealer has a good wiring diagram that same wire has to be under the dash somewhere and would be much easier the tap into there. Just be sure to use a diode to prevent back-feed from the controller.

Will a 15a / 45V diode suffice? If not, what sort of diode is necessary?

 

[jharger]

I'm not an electronics expert but I believe it would be called a zener diode, the most common kind. I used a 20A - 50V but your 15a / 45V should be fine. You want power to be able to flow from the truck to the brake light and controller but not from the controller to the truck.

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