Newb with controller ??????

[Lostviking]

Hello all,

Just picked up my new '08 Tundra double cab,

I was looking at brake controllers on here somewhere.

I saw a picture of a P3 Electronic Brake Control mounted in the slot above the tow haul button. But after extensive searching I can't find it again. Could someone please help??

[jpnca]

I know what your talking about but I don't know where it is. I'll keep a eye out for it

[2008_CrewMax]

try eBay?

eBay Motors: Tekonsha P3 Electric Brake Control Controller RV Camper (item 170208637942 end time Apr-16-08 20:11:36 PDT)

[YB929RR]

Any one brake controller better than another?

[ramoine]

For alot of towing info , try here .


RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal

[Larry]

I removed the ashtray and stuffed the controller in that hole. I then unscrewed the faceplate from the ashtray and used double sided tape to hold the faceplate in the hole from where it came.

[Phoenix]

Larry, do you have photos of your installation? Also, what brand of brake controller are you using?

[Larry]

I had trouble doing the upload, but it seems to be working now.
My controller is a Hayes. It seems to work fine. I don't know if it is better or worse than any other brand. I had it in my 2000 Ford that I traded for this Tundra. Since the dealer will not give me any extra money for accessories, I removed everything that could be useful to me.
The Tundra doesn't have any practical place to mount the controller. I don't want to bang my knees on it all of the time. Some controllers must be mounted close to horizontal. Other ones can be mounted at any angle, so make sure the controller will work in the position that you choose.
I used double sided tape to stick the controller into the hole. I then folded up some paper towels and stuffed them on top of the controller to make sure the tape doesn't fail. Just make sure you don't cover any cooling holes on the controller.

[CARAEWRON]

The P3 brake controller is made by TEKONSHA (www.tekonsha.com). It's a new model. I have a Tekonsha Prodigy. I put it on my F150 a few years ago and switched it over to the 07 Tundra. Works fine on both trucks. I had a more basic controller at first but switched to the Prodigy as I liked to see a digital readout when the brakes are applied. On the Tundra DC it fits nicely under the dash just above my right knee. If I put the seat forward it rubs my knee. I'm a tall guy so there's no need to put my seat forward. As I recall it needs to be level left to right, but not front to back. Mine tilts up sharply back to front and works fine. The Tekonsha is a big brand so it should be in most trailer supply stores and some auto parts stores.

[notevenclose]

I've heard nothing but praises for the Prodigy. You'll want a controller with a pedel pressure integrator, that will detect how much pressure to apply to the trailer. Otherwise, whenever you press the brake, the controller sends your preset power to the trailer...it feels grabby. This is the style I had but I only tow every so often...

[Phoenix]

It sounds like you have the "boost" set on your Prodigy. Normally, it doesn't apply any braking pressure, until it senses the g-force from slowing. If I recall correctly, there are "B1", "B2" etc. settings that apply a certain amount of voltage immediately when you hit the brakes, before any stopping g-force is detected.

If you don't want the boost voltage applied, you can turn it off.

[Wallygator]

Alright I don't mean to hijack but I don't think this warrants a new thread. Does the ground wire on the pigtail that comes with the towing package go to the brake controller or does it go to an available ground point on the truck? Also, where does the green/white (or is it the green, I'm at work) wire that is supposed to go to the trailer running lamps go? My controller does not have a wire for this trailer running lamp wire and the directions are a joke. Probably because a brake controller newb like me is supposed to pay to have this hooked up.

Once again sorry to hijack and sorry for the stupid questions, I just don't want to hook this up wrong. Thanks.

[Larry]

Most controllers have a heavy power wire coming in, a heavy power wire that goes to the trailer electric brakes, a small wire that turns on the brake lights when you hit the manual brake lever on the controller, and a ground to complete the circuit for the electronics inside of the controller. There is nothing in a controller that would be connected to the running lights.

[Wallygator]

Originally Posted by Larry

Most controllers have a heavy power wire coming in, a heavy power wire that goes to the trailer electric brakes, a small wire that turns on the brake lights when you hit the manual brake lever on the controller, and a ground to complete the circuit for the electronics inside of the controller. There is nothing in a controller that would be connected to the running lights.

Yep that sounds like the one I have but the wire to the running lights is on the plug that comes from Toyota that plugs into the truck under the drivers side kick panel. Anyone know what to do with that wire? Thanks.

Also does the ground from the Toyota plug go to the ground on the controller or to a ground point on the truck?

[Larry]

I just checked my setup. The running lights wire is to small to power the trailer running lights. What I think it is for is to power instrument lights in the brake controller. I have never seen a controller that lights up at night, but the wire is probably there just in case you have that kind of controller. I just put tape over the end so it can't possibly short out and then rolled it up. If you put extra gauges in your truck, you could use that wire to power the backlight in the gauges.
The ground wire goes to a ground on the controller. The other end of that wire is already connected to a chassis ground.