Recommended Brake Controller and Wiring for 2018 Mazda CX-5 for Towing a Trailer with Brakes

Updated 03/22/2018 | Published 03/21/2018

Products Featured in This Question

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

(201)

$75.29

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6641)

$169.94

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

(3395)

$121.25

Question:

Hi. I am new to towing and the wiring involved. What stuff, besides the hitch, do I need to tow a trailer that requires a round 7 pin connector on a 2018 Mazda CX-5. From what I’ve seen on your website it looks like I need to install the 4 pin wiring, then an adapter for the 7 pin, and then also a brake controller? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

asked by: Victor I

Expert Reply:

For your 2018 Mazda CX-5, you will need the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # 118746 which will connect to your factory wiring inside your rear cargo area. This will require running a wire to the battery for the power supply. Then you will connect the 4-way trailer connection to the Universal Brake Controller Wiring Kit # ETBC7. This kit will have all of the circuit breakers, wiring, and connectors needed to give you a fully functional 7-way when you add a brake controller. I've attached a video and an article to assist.

For your brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. This brake controller is a proportional controller that is a customer favorite due to it's reliability and ease of use. It has an LCD screen that offers easy diagnostics and also has preset options for brake boost. It will apply the trailer brakes at the same time and with the same intensity as you hit the brake pedal in your CX-5.

This combination of parts will allow you to safely tow your trailer with your 2018 Mazda CX-5.

expert reply by: Jason S