How to Install a Brake Controller on a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Updated 04/28/2025 | Published 04/24/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(803)

$71.49

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3330)

$124.34

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(59)

$13.21

Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller w/ Universal Wiring Harness - Dash Knob - Proportional

(2306)

$190.00

Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit

(586)

$109.93

Question:

Hello, I bought a curt 4pin brakes light controller from you and installed it in my 2023 rav4 prime. Works great. Now I am installing a redarc brake controller and am having trouble on what I use for the brake input that will still trigger the lights when the override is pressed. My initial thought is to use one of the brake lights with a diode, but it sends that would only trigger one light when overridden. Can you advise please? Thank you

asked by: Charles F

Expert Reply:

Hey Charles welcome back! Did you install a 7-way connector along with your Curt 4-Way item # C56434? If not you'll definitely need to. I recommend the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7. The kit includes a pre-wired 7- and 4-way trailer connector that mounts easily at the rear of your Toyota with an included bracket. This kit is designed for use on a vehicle with an existing 4-way flat trailer connector and plugs directly into it.

You will then connect the blue wire to the blue wire on the brake controller, connect the black wire to the positive post on your Rav-4's battery, the white wire to ground, and the yellow wire to vehicle's reverse circuit if applicable. This will provide you with the ability to control your trailer's brakes and also provide you with a 12v power wire for you trailer's accessory lights.

As far as installing the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller item # RED52VR goes, you're looking for the brake switch wire. It will be a red wire coming off of your pedal. You can use the a test light like item # PTW2993 to find the correct wire. It'll only send a signal when you press your brake pedal. This will connect to the red wire on the universal harness that came with item # RED52VR.

If you can not find it or it is not large enough to tap into you will want to use the Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit item # RM-751000. It works by sensing when your brake pedal moves. This will send the signal to the brake controller to activate your trailer's brakes.

If you have any additional questions go ahead and throw them into the comment box below and I'll be happy to help you.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Chuck W.

4/28/2025

Hi Jerred, Thank you for the reply. Yes, I have the dual 7/4 pin connector. As far as the brake input, i can't use the brake pedal because the vehicle has adaptive cruise control and regenerative braking that can activate the brake lights automatically. I think that i will need to intercept the brake light signal in the rear. That part is easy, but California requires the trailer brake lights to activate with the override switch, so I think I will need a diode or so to prevent error codes when the 12 volts feeds back. Please advise. Thank you@

Jerred H.

4/28/2025

@ChuckW I've never heard of it being done that way so I don't have a solution for you. Another option would be to use the Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller item # C51180, which just plugs directly into your 7-Way connector and is controlled by an app on your phone.