Parts Needed to Install a Brake Controller in a 2016 Subaru Outback with 4-Way

Question

Question:

I have a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited with a Subaru factory towing package. The factory package includes the 1 1/4inch hitch and 4 pole trailer wiring connector. I need to add a brake controller and add a 7 pin connector or convert the 4 pin to 7 and install a brake controller. Ill be towing a travel trailer that weights about 1800 lbs. I noticed you have some videos covering adding a 4 pole harness to the 2015 or 2016 Outback, but nothing yet for a 7 pin with brake controller on this model. Do you know when ETrailer will be producing some videos or documentation covering brake controller and 7 pin wiring installs on the 2016 Outback 3.6R Limited? I looked at some of the videos you have for previous model years to get some idea how its done, but one thing Ive been unable to locate is the firewall access grommet to route any wiring between the cabin and the engine compartment. Any chance your techs have located it yet? Another question: I noticed you have a couple of different wiring harnesses for 7 pin applications. Are any of them more suitable for converting 4 pin factory packages to 7 pin? Finally, I also noticed that some of your wiring harnesses us circuit breakers while some use fuses for protecting the lines that supply power to the controller and the brakes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of circuit breakers and fuses. My preference would probably be to use fuses, since it wont require me to screw mount anything to the interior walls of the engine compartment. Just to reiterate my questions: 1 Do you know when youll have some documentation and videos covering 7 pin harnesses + brake controllers to the 2016 Outback? 2 Can you tell me if your technicians have been able to locate the firewall access grommet on the 2016 Outback 3.6R Limited? 3 Which of the 7 pin wiring harnesses would be most suitable for converting the 4 pin wiring to 7 pin and adding a brake controller? 4 Fuses vs. circuit breakers What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? Thank You + Best Regards,

asked by: Eric F

0

Expert Reply:

To convert the 4-way of your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon to a 7-way to install a brake controller will require the install kit part # ETBC7. This comes with everything and uses breakers and not fuses. The advantage to breakers is that they reset automatically whereas fuses require a new fuse which would be somewhat of a hassle.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes.

Getting through the firewall is going to require drilling a hole in it and then using a grommet to protect the wiring. The factory holes in the firewall are going to be pretty difficult to get a wire through so I would not recommend going that route. We do not have a video yet though.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

To install a 7-way connector on your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon you will first need a 4-way vehicle wiring harness. I recommend adding the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness #118467 as it is custom made to plug into the factory harness of your…

view full answer...

Answer 2

If you can't find a sturdy location beneath the bumper to attach a mounting bracket like the Tow Ready #18144 that you referenced, you can simply use the trailer hitch as a mounting surface instead. To do this I recommend adding a no-drill…

view full answer...

Answer 3

When selecting a ball mount and 2-inch hitch ball for towing your pop-up camper you will want to choose a ball mount that allows the hitched trailer to remain level. The article I linked for you shows how to choose the right 2-inch ball mount with…

view full answer...

Answer 4

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

view full answer...

Answer 5

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

view full answer...

Answer 6

To actuate the brakes on your pop-up, you'll want to install a brake controller. The Echo #C51180 would be an excellent choice, as you won't need to do any drilling into the underside of the dash of your new car. It's very easy to install…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Yes, it is possible to add a 7 way plug and a brake controller to a 2024 Subaru Outback. We would do this by first adding a 4-pin connector #C56040, then adding the Universal Install Kit #ETBC7. This kit would essentially bypass the vehicles wiring…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Yes, we can definitely help with this. To tow a pop-up camper or any trailer with electric brakes you will need the 7-way RV style connector for your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon. If you do not already have one installed we have everything needed to do…

view full answer...

Answer 9

The cold side brake switch wire on a 2017 Subaru Outback is brown with a white stripe, as you can see at about the 20:00 mark in the linked video. The video shows a different brake controller being installed on an Outback, but the procedure would be…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 11

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

view full answer...