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Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Select your vehicle to confirm the Brake Controller fit
The Brake Controller Installation Kit, or ETBC7, includes everything necessary for converting your 4-way connector to a 7-way connector in order to use a brake controller to activate the electric brakes on your trailer.
- If you do not have a 4-way connector on your vehicle, you will need to install one first
- If you have a 7-way connector on your trailer, you will need the Brake Controller 7 & 4 Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- If you have a 6-way connector on your trailer, you will need the Brake Controller 6 & 4 Way Installation Kit (ETBC6)
Why do I need an ETBC7?
If you do not have a 7-way plug on your vehicle, but want to use your electric trailer brakes, you will need to upgrade your wiring to support the brake controller. The ETBC7 includes everything you need to make this upgrade (once a working 4-way connection is installed).
Parts Included:
7-way trailer connector, which includes a 4-pole adapter plus 4 additional wires that connect to your vehicle to complete the installation
Mounting bracket and mounting hardware that secure the 7-way connector to the vehicle bumper or hitch; self-tapping screws mount the bracket to the vehicle and the trailer connector to the bracket
Black loom, which is a hard plastic tube that covers the 12-volt hot lead and brake wire connections, giving your installation a professional appearance and extra protection
Gray duplex cable that houses 2 wires that will become the 12-volt hot lead and electric brake wire, which run from the trailer connector to the front of the vehicle
Circuit breakers, which are used to protect electrical components against overload (3 are provided, 2 are used)
Butt connectors for securing connections between wires
Ring terminals, which attach to the ends of wires and hook around battery posts and circuit breakers
Quick splice wire connectors, which are used to quickly connect wires together
Zip-ties, which bind loose wires together and keep them in place, away from moving parts and exhaust system components
Circuit tester
Tools needed:
- Drill
- Ratchet socket set
- Wire crimpers/strippers
- Small utility knife
- Phillips or flathead screwdriver
Brake Controller 7- & 4-Way Installation Steps
The ETBC7 installation kit works with your existing 4-way connector and brake controller. If you do not currently have a 4-way connector on your vehicle, you can use the Vehicle Wiring Fitguide to locate the custom-fit wiring harness, and the Brake Controller Fitguide to find the brake controller for your application. Since this kit supplements your brake controller, please review the instructions included with your brake controller before beginning the installation.
1. Find a suitable location to mount the 7-way connector plug.
- A typical location is on the bottom of the bumper or on a bracket extending off your hitch
- To mount on a hitch, use the included bracket plus a short or long no-drill mount bracket to achieve your desired bumper clearance.
- Using the bolts, nuts and self-tapping screws, secure the mounting bracket into the bumper and the trailer connector into the bracket
2. Plug the 4-pole adapter coming out of the 7-way connector into the vehicle's 4-pole trailer connector. Secure this connection with a zip-tie.
3. Ground the 7-way connector by screwing the white wire with a ring terminal on it into the frame of the vehicle. If you will be using your reverse trailer lights, attach the yellow wire coming out of the 7-way connector to your reverse light wire, using one of the quick splice wire connectors included with the kit.
4. Make a small cut in the rubber sheath of the duplex cable and slightly separate the two wires inside, being careful not to nick these wires.
5. Use a butt connector to connect the black wire in the duplex cable to the 12-volt hot lead (black wire) on the 7-way connector. Then do the same for the white wire in the duplex cable and the brake wire (blue wire) on the 7-way connector. Use electrical tape to keep the wires together and then install the black loom over the wires.
6. Route the duplex cable under the vehicle all the way up to the engine compartment under the hood, being careful to avoid hot areas or moving parts that might pinch the cable.
7. Once the duplex cable is under the hood, you will need to separate the white brake wire from the black 12-volt hot lead. Cut away the gray sheathing as before, being careful not to nick the wires.
8. The black 12-volt hot lead will stay under the hood, where it will be connected to the positive post of the battery by using a 40-amp circuit breaker. You will then route the white brake wire through the firewall (on the driver's side under the dash) into the vehicle, where you will connect it to the blue wire on the brake controller.
9. Look for a grommet or knockout in the firewall to route the white brake wire into the cab. If none is available, you can drill a hole on a section of the firewall where there is no obstruction on either side. You will need to drill a hole to install a grommet large enough for the 3 wires that will pass through:
- White brake wire from duplex
- Power wire for brake controller
- Ground wire from brake controller
10. Using a butt connector, connect the blue wire coming out of the brake controller to the white brake wire from the duplex cable that was routed through the firewall.
11. Mount the 20-amp (or 30-amp; see brake controller instructions) and the 40-amp circuit breakers in a safe location under the hood. In this photo, you will see it was mounted to the right of an existing ground wire on the firewall.
12. The 12-volt hot lead from the trailer connector in the duplex wire (black) gets routed to the 40-amp breaker. Cut the extra wire and add a ring terminal. Attach to the AUX/silver post of the circuit breaker and route a wire from the copper post of the circuit breaker to the positive post on the battery.
13. The black wire coming out of the brake controller is the brake controller power supply. It will be too short to reach the battery, so you will have to use excess wire from the duplex cable to complete this connection. Route this wire to the AUX/silver post on the 20-amp (or 30-amp) circuit breaker under the hood. Then route a wire from the AUX/copper post of the circuit breaker to the positive post on the battery.
14. There are now two wires connected to the positive post: the 12-volt hot lead and the brake controller power supply.
15. The white wire coming out of the brake controller is the ground wire. Route this wire to the negative post on the battery. It will be too short to reach the battery, so you will have to use excess wire from the duplex cable to complete this connection.
16. Inside the cab, only one connection remains. Find the wires connected to the brake stop light switch at the top of the brake pedal. Using a circuit tester, test the wires to locate the wire that carries a signal only when the brake pedal is engaged. Using a quick splice wire connector, connect that wire to the brake controller red wire.
17. With the brake controller mounted and connected, zip-tie any loose, excess wires underneath the dash and under the vehicle. Clip any excess material from the zip-ties. Do not allow the wires to interfere with the brake and gas pedals and keep them away from areas that get very hot. Using a circuit tester, test all wires to ensure that they are getting power before you hitch up your trailer.
# ETBC7 Installation Diagram
Connector Diagram for # C57672 (included with # ETBC7)
For more information on brake controllers and wiring, see the following:
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Trailer Wiring Diagrams
Updated by: Amber S.
Last updated: 6/5/19
Allen S.
I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid that I need to convert from a 4-way to a 7-way connector to use with a Curt Echo wireless trailer brake controller. The auxiliary 12-volt battery is located in the rear of the vehicle on the driver’s side. Id appreciate any instructions or videos you could provide for this installation. 103607
For the Curt Echo # C51180 you'll need the Upgrade Kit # ETBC7L . This plugs into the 4-Way you currently have on your Highlander and then you'll route the power wire to the positive terminal on your battery, making sure to install the circuit breaker in-line to protect the circuit. If you don't have a mounting bracket for the 7-Way then you can use the part # C57202 to accomplish this. 75941
Reply from Allen S.
@JonG Hi Jon. Thanks for your response. I had one additional question. My Toyota Highlander Hybrid has separate brake lights and turn signals. Do I need a wire harness with a Modulite incorporated to be compatible with the Airstream travel trailer lights, or are the parts you recommended sufficient to operate the lights properly? 75954
@AllenS If your Highlander already has a 4-Way then the parts I mentioned will be enough. If your Highlander doesn't currently have a 4-Way then you'll need to determine if you have the tow package or not by checking for a converter and then choosing a 4-Way wiring harness based off of that. Here is a link to one of our answer pages about this that you can check out. 75961
Helpful Links
Tedd
I just bought a 2016 Chevy 2500 Express van. It has a tow package but I am unable to locate a 4 pole connector near the rear of the van. I was able to locate wires for the factory brake controller under the dash. The wires are Red/wht, dark blue, light blue/wht and blk wires. Can I connect these directly to the brake controller I purchase? 103414
To answer your direct question, yes, you can connect your brake controller to those wires you found. In regards to the wiring at the back of your Chevy Express, you should either have a round plug cap inside the driver's side frame rail that will connect to the back of the part # HM40975 , otherwise if you have the bundle of wires inside the jack storage compartment you'll want a connector like part # 337TC1474P instead. 75835
Reply from Tedd
@JonG Thank you Jon. I have not been able to locate a 7 way nor a 4 way on my van but it does have the button in the dash for towing. With that said, if I am able to use the 4 wires under the dash how do they get wired to the brake controller? Do I still need to run the heavy gauge wht and blk wires from the trailer plug (that comes in kit #ETBC7) up to the brake controller? Additionally, I followed the heavy gauge dk blue wire under the dash for the brake controller and it just goes through the fire wall but have not idea where it goes from there. My assumption is that it should go to the rear of the van but again I am unable to find a 7 way harness. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! 75866
@Tedd If you aren't able to find any kind of OEM wiring on your van then I'd treat this like your vehicle doesn't have the tow package. Go ahead and install a 4-Way harness like the T-One # 118392 and then completely install the # ETBC7 wiring kit that you have - heavy gauge wires and all. When it comes to wiring the brake controller you'll need to test your current wiring and you might only be able to use 1 from the bundle - the one that gets hot only when your brake pedal is pressed. Sometimes manufacturers will still install some wiring like for the brake controller even if the vehicle doesn't have the tow package. Reason being that it's cheaper to toss some of the wiring in than to make a different manufacturing process for vehicles without the tow package. It can be a bit confusing, not gonna lie. 75867
Paul G.
I want to be able to charge my trailer battery from the tow vehicle (1994 GMC K1500). It seems if I run the auxiliary 12v wire straight to the battery that I run the risk of drawing down the tow vehicle battery. Is there a place to connect the auxiliary 12v wire to e.g. the alternator instead of straight to the battery? Thanks! 103273
What you can do is install a battery isolation solenoid like part # TR118665 to keep your battery from draining when your ignition is off. The alternator will naturally charge the battery in your pickup while it's running so you just need to make sure that the power stops flowing when you have your pickup turned off. Please note that any kind of 12V power you get from the tow vehicle 7-Way will be more like a trickle charge and typically won't actually increase the charge of the trailer battery. You'll need to install a battery charger to accomplish this (see linked selection). 75760
Helpful Links
Robert G.
Hello I have a 2019 Ram Promaster 2500. I have installed the CURT 56209 Vehicle-Side Custom 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness, ....BUT now I also need a 7 way connection for a trailer I just bought. what wiring kit and what brake controller do you recommend. (i want to be able to use a 4 way OR a 7 way adapter because I have a trailer that needs a 7 way and anther that needs a 4 way. thanks 102611
I recommend using the Wiring Kit # ETBC7 along with the extra wire # ETBCXW for your 2019 ProMaster 2500. This gives you both a 4-Way and a 7-Way plus it comes with all of the parts you need to make the 7-Way fully functional so that you can even connect an electric brake controller. 75507
Reply from Robert G.
@JonG thank you! 75532
Pelagic
Will the ETBC7 work on a 2008 FJ Cruiser ( manual transmission) and will it Work with the CURT 51170 Spectrum Original Equipment Style, Integrated Electric Trailer Brake Controller, Proportional ? 102531
Antonio
Hello, I have a 2003 GMC W3500 without any wiring for a trailer its this kit good choice to wire the truck for a trailer or there’s another kit out there? 102516
Tom
Have a 2010 Ford E-150 with no factory tow package nor the the factory wiring for trailer brakes with this kit work I have the 4 way connector above the rear axle 101887
Jerry O.
I have a question. I purchased a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. It is already prewired with the flat 5wire plug. What kit would I need to convert to 7wire plug? Also, would any controller for electric brakes work with the kit you suggest? 101598
You will need the Wiring Kit # ETBC7 . This will allow you to install any of our brake controllers on your 2021 Hyundai Palisade. I really like the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite # 331-EBRH-ACCV2 because it has a really clean-looking installation and it can be installed pretty much anywhere. 74994
Reply from Jerry O.
@JonG , thanks for reply! As far as a controller, I have the controller that I was using in my 2010 Toyota 4Runner. I do have the wire harness for the Toyota with it. I'm hoping it can be modified to the wire installation. 74995
Matt N.
I have a 2004 Toyota with a factory seven pin electric brake receptacle and a factory tow hitch. Assuming the system was controller ready, I purchased your recommended 3040 harness. The pictures depicted under this year using a 3040 harness are not from 2004 LC but most likely an earlier year. I have uses mirrors and lights and can find only one unused female plug under the dash, near the brake pedal but it is twice the size of the male plug on the 3040. Did i get the wrong harness. 98902
The Tekonsha # 3040-P is designed to fit your 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser. Sometimes the plugs can be a little hard to find because they aren't always in the exact same place on every vehicle - sometimes you will need to do a little searching. If you can send me some pictures of the plugs that you're finding I can see if I can help out. 73612
Dan H.
i purchased draw tight brake controller for my 2020 cadf xt5 is there an adapter to do a plug in without having to hard wire it and where is the recepticle located if there is one 97713
You will need to hardwire the brake controller. According to the online version of the owner's manual you will find 4 blunt cut wires inside the front driver side instrument panel. Below is what functions those wires should carry but it would be good to check your copy of the owner's manual and/or test them with a circuit tester: 7-Way Brake Output - Blue 12V Power - Red/Green or Red/Blue Cold Side of Stoplight - White/Blue Ground - Black 72980
Dave
Does the black hot wire have to be connected to the 7 way connector? Or is it to charge the trailer battery/etc? I hope just the 4 way plug will power the light/turn signals then just connect the wire for brake controller. Thanks for any help.. 97616
You are correct. The black power wire HAS to be connected if you're needing that 12V lead for your trailer battery. With that being said, if your trailer has electric brakes then you should have a breakaway battery kit installed on your trailer that will require the 12V power to charge. So the answer is essentially yes since you're using this for a brake controller setup. 72886
Alan
Can the ground wire from the brake controller be grounded inside the cabin on metal or must it be grounded in the engine area on the negative pole of the battery? 97611
It can be grounded inside the cabin. We just say to make the connection to the battery with this kit simply because you'll already be routing the duplex wire for power from the battery so why separate it out when the negative battery terminal gives you a really good connection you know? 72885
Sean R.
I have a 4pin trailer hookup and need to convert it to a 7pin. Will this adapter do the trick? And do you know who could do this for me? 96886
Yes, the # ETBC7 will do the trick for you. Any reputable shop should be able to easily do this for you. We recommend just doing some price-checking and making sure they have a good reputation. 71252
Mike F.
All looks great, except I wonder about those exposed circuit breakers up front near the battery. Seems like easy places to short a tool to ground while working on car, etc. No options on this, or covers, etc? 96576
I suppose if you aren't careful that could be a potential concern. That's why we try to find places that are out of the way to do the installation for the circuit breakers. 71251
Steve
I have a 2020 Highlander and am new to towing. I see which parts I need to convert my factory 4-pin flat connector to a 7-pin round connector. My concern is tapping into the wire from the brake depressed switch. I've read some comments that the brake controller puts a voltage on that line causes problems with cruise control. Is that true, (probably depends on which brake controller I buy), and if so do I need to also purchase a diode? 95290
I know exactly what you're talking about and it is something that's come up before on the later model Highlanders. It's a simple fix and I've linked an answer page below that explains how to do it. 70426
Helpful Links
Perry F.
I own a 2019 Chevy Bolt EV. Do you have suggestions for a seven pin connector to this vehicle beyond these instructions? 91884
I wish there were some custom applications available for your Chevy Bolt EV, but you will indeed want to just follow the above-mentioned steps. You'll need to start with a 4-Way harness like the Tekonsha # 119147KIT and then use the # ETBC7 Kit to upgrade it to the 7-Way. 69623
Luther W.
didnt see a price on wire and brake sys. can i get a price to fit 2019 jeep grand cherokee thanks 86255
Are you looking at a particular brake controller model? All our pricing is listed on the individual product pages. 68212
Russ E.
Would you mind telling me what gauge/type of wire the grey duplex cable is and how many feet are supplied? I cut mine too short and tried splicing but made a mess of it. I was going to buy a replacement locally, since I need my brakes working by this weekend! 84772
The Wiring Kit # ETBC7 includes 25 feet of 10 gauge duplex wiring. 67904
Reply from George
Afternoon Chris. I am just verifying that the duplex is 10 gauge wire, which would be good for 30 amps. If I am pulling a single axle, and my circuit breaker would be 20 amps, would 12 AWG suffice? Thank you. 70734
@George The duplex wiring that comes with the # ETBC7 wiring kit is 10 gauge wire. We recommend using 10 over 12 basically because it can allow more "power" to reach back to your trailer brakes. By the time the power reaches your trailer brakes it has "lessened" (for lack of a better term) which is why trailer brake assemblies tend to use 12 gauge wire. 71250
Morgan
Good Morning, I have a 2004 Winnebago Journey 36G and I need a electric brake controller. Is there a kit that will plug into a factory plug or will it need to be hardwired? Thanks! 81968
From what I could find it looks like your 2004 Winnebago Journey is built on the Freightliner XC chassis. If this is the case and it's equipped with the factory 7-Way at the bumper, you can use the Plug-In Play Harness # 3027-P to allow for a simple installation of a Tekonsha or Draw-Tite controller. I specifically recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885 . 67346
David A.
I installed your T-One wiring harness no problem. Thank you. Now i need to install the ETBC7 kit, but I dont know where the blue wire will go, as I also ordered a Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional Item # C51180, which mentions a ETBC7L? Did i buy the wrong wiring ETBC7 kit? 74360
The blue wire is used for the brake output circuit, which isn't needed for the Curt Echo Brake Controller # C51180 . It can simply be capped off. The Wiring Kit # ETBC7 that you purchased isn't the "wrong" kit for the Echo, you'll simply just have some extra wiring. No big deal. The alternate # ETBC7L is just a better match for that controller because it comes only with the wiring that's needed. 61509
Reply from David A.
@ChrisR OK, Thank you for the clarification. 61534
Jerry O.
I need to add a 5th pin to a flat four pin connector. What wire do I tap on the vehicle to get the reverse light on a 2017 Toyota Tacoma? Thanks 74201
The Tow Ready Adapter # 20036 is perfect for this application. It'll plug into your existing 4-Way and the additional blue wire is what splices into the Tacoma's reverse circuit wire. Unfortunately I don't have access to a wiring diagram that reliably shows what color this wire is on your 17 Tacoma, so your best route is to simply test the wiring behind one of the tail lights. Check to see which wire gets power when the reverse lights are activated. 60367
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