Using the AutowBrake Brake Controller with a 1999 Toyota 4Runner and a 1997 Toyota Previa  

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Installing the Autowbrake brake controller, part # 3430001, doesn't actually requrie you to make any changes to the 4-way connectors on your vehicles. All it needs to function is to be wired to the proper wires on the trailer and a constant power source. If you want, you can wire the Autowbrake's power wire (the black wire) to the trailer's running lights and then it will have power as long as you tow with your lights always on. The downside to this is you will then always be drawing power on that circuit from the vehicle which isn't ideal but it will work. This also requires the trailer to have a 4-way connector, like part # A20WB, on it which isn't likely since it obviously has electric brakes.

A second option, and also not my favorite, is to convert the vehicles's 4-ways to 5-ways using part # 20036. Use the extra wire and fifth pin as a 12 volt power source by running that wire to the vehicle battery through a circuit breaker. This option requires the trailer to have a 5-way, like part # A25W5B, which is also not very likely.

The best option is to convert the existing 4-way connectors on the vehicles to 7-ways, like you mentioned; however for you the 7-way doesn't need to be fully functional. Since the Autowbrake only needs the 12 volt power to be active you don't need to connect the electric brake and reverse light wires. Use part # 37185 which plugs into the existing 4-way connector for the lighting functions. Then extend the black wire to the vehicle's battery using # 10-1-1, which is sold by the foot. You also want to connect it through a circuit breaker, part # 9510.

expert reply by: Charles S

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