trailer brake wiring harness??

[ponyuk]

I placed mine in a similar place, but a little further back and more to the left:

Originally Posted by SHINBONE

I put mine here...

[SaltyKayak]

Just joined this forum and already got some great info on trailer hauling.
I just received my Prodigy brake control. I have yet to search for the plug by the steering column but my question is, how do the 4 wires from the Prodigy hook into the Tundra plug? Do I need to buy a special plug, hook it onto the end of the 4 wires and then plug it into the Tundra plug?

Are there any pictures on the forum of what that specific plug looks like? From what I have read, it's tough to find.

thanx, SaltyKayak

[tundratom]

Originally Posted by SaltyKayak

Just joined this forum and already got some great info on trailer hauling.
I just received my Prodigy brake control. I have yet to search for the plug by the steering column but my question is, how do the 4 wires from the Prodigy hook into the Tundra plug? Do I need to buy a special plug, hook it onto the end of the 4 wires and then plug it into the Tundra plug?

Are there any pictures on the forum of what that specific plug looks like? From what I have read, it's tough to find.

thanx, SaltyKayak

the adapter plug should be in your glove box in a bag. in the bag are also instructions. use crimp splices to connect the appropriate wires together.

[ponyuk]

I thought the brake control should have come with the correct cable. As stated, if it didn't its in the glove box.
If yours is missing I'll send you mine, my brake controller came with the Tundra cable.

Originally Posted by SaltyKayak

Just joined this forum and already got some great info on trailer hauling.
I just received my Prodigy brake control. I have yet to search for the plug by the steering column but my question is, how do the 4 wires from the Prodigy hook into the Tundra plug? Do I need to buy a special plug, hook it onto the end of the 4 wires and then plug it into the Tundra plug?

Are there any pictures on the forum of what that specific plug looks like? From what I have read, it's tough to find.

thanx, SaltyKayak

[SybErkRimInAL]

What is a brake control used for? I have the tow package on my truck and will be towing seadoo's or a boat during the summer on at least 6 occasions. Do I need this brake control? I have the plug in my glove box that you are talkinga bout, but no brake control unit. Sorry for the dumb question.

[Impelled]

Most boat trailers have "surge" brakes (hydrolically activated). The trailers their talking about use "electrically" activated brakes. They need the brake control unit to activate the brakes. Usually big-ass heavy duty trailers.

[Larry]

A brake controller is only used for larger trailers that have electric brakes on them. Electric brakes work by energizing a magnet which grips against the brake drum which in turn applies the brakes. The controller adjusts the amount of electric going the to magnet thus determining how hard the brakes are applied. Small trailers for snowmobiles, small boats, personal watercraft, and lawnmowers usually do not have brakes on them. Many States require brakes on trailers if the trailer and load exceed 3,000 pounds. The last thing you would want is to have a heavy trailer pushing you down the road!
I tow a gooseneck flatbed with my Tundra. The trailer is 4,400 pounds empty. You can easily tell if the trailer brakes are working or not!

What I don't understand about Toyota's thinking, is why would they have a tow hitch, towing package with all electrical wiring, but NO place to install the brake controller? I removed the ashtray and used double sided tape to mount the controller in the bottom of the hole. I then unscrewed the trim plate from the ashtrap and taped it back in the hole where it came from. Now it sort of looks factory installed.

[ponyuk]

A brake controller is used to apply the brakes on a trailer that has electronic brakes fitted. Some trailer use hydraulic brakes - the basic principal for these is as you brake the trailer pushes up against your truck as your truck slows, the pushing motion applies the brakes on the trailer. This makes reversing up a slight incline a real problem with hydraulic brakes as the rearward pushing motion applies the brakes! (most have an option to turn the brakes off, but this involves getting out and pulling a lever).
Electronic brakes work in a different way. As you apply the brakes on your truck it then applies the brakes on the trailer (you can also manually apply the trailer brakes with a button or lever on the unit without applying the brakes on your truck) - you could for example be coasting down hill and apply the trailer brakes to slow your truck and trailer down, without pressing your brake pedal on your truck. Electronic brake controllers apply different voltages to the trailer brakes, to emulate the breaking of the truck. So gently braking the truck will apply gentle braking to the trailer - you can fine tune this on the unit (you may decide when you brake the trailer does all the work in braking, rather than the truck).
Anyway, it is not just heavy or large trailers that have this feature. One of my smaller horse trailers also has electronic brakes - it makes for a smoother braking system than a hydraulic unit could.

Originally Posted by SybErkRimInAL

What is a brake control used for? I have the tow package on my truck and will be towing seadoo's or a boat during the summer on at least 6 occasions. Do I need this brake control? I have the plug in my glove box that you are talkinga bout, but no brake control unit. Sorry for the dumb question.

[SybErkRimInAL]

Originally Posted by ponyuk

A brake controller is used to apply the brakes on a trailer that has electronic brakes fitted. Some trailer use hydraulic brakes - the basic principal for these is as you brake the trailer pushes up against your truck as your truck slows, the pushing motion applies the brakes on the trailer. This makes reversing up a slight incline a real problem with hydraulic brakes as the rearward pushing motion applies the brakes! (most have an option to turn the brakes off, but this involves getting out and pulling a lever).
Electronic brakes work in a different way. As you apply the brakes on your truck it then applies the brakes on the trailer (you can also manually apply the trailer brakes with a button or lever on the unit without applying the brakes on your truck) - you could for example be coasting down hill and apply the trailer brakes to slow your truck and trailer down, without pressing your brake pedal on your truck. Electronic brake controllers apply different voltages to the trailer brakes, to emulate the breaking of the truck. So gently braking the truck will apply gentle braking to the trailer - you can fine tune this on the unit (you may decide when you brake the trailer does all the work in braking, rather than the truck).
Anyway, it is not just heavy or large trailers that have this feature. One of my smaller horse trailers also has electronic brakes - it makes for a smoother braking system than a hydraulic unit could.

Understood. Thank you!

[flintlok]

If you tow over 2000 lbs, most states require electric brakes on the trailer. The controller makes them work. The Prodigy is the best.

[flintlok]

How did you get the wires to the back of the controller. The spot you put it is a blind hole in my truck. I would guess that you had to drill a hole in the back?

[Larry]

On mine, when I pulled the ashtray all of the way out, there are a couple of slots in the back wall of the opening. I ran the wires through the larger slot. Once you put the controller in where the ashtray was, you cannot reinstall the ashtray. That is why I removed the trim plate from the ashtray and taped it over the openning.