What is Required to Use Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller

Question

Question:

Hello, One follow up question on the curt echo wireless wiring. Where does the blue lead hook to in the vehicle when I do my wiring? I think the idea of this echo device was to not have a brake controller inside the vehicle? Thanks

asked by: Shaun

0

Expert Reply:

To use the Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # C51180 your vehicle only needs 12 volt, ground, and turn signals connected to its 7-way socket. What this means is you do not need the brake signal from the 7-way.

For example, if you used a 4-to-7 way adapter such as # 30717, there will not be an output wire from the Echo to connect to, so you could simply tie that wire off, as you can see by the accompanying diagram.

Apart from that the only other thing required is that your smartphone have the following operating systems (OS):

- Apple: 8.0 or newer
- Android: 4.4 or newer

I have added links to a couple video reviews of this brake controller for you to take a look at as well which I recommend checking out.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

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Shaun

10/24/2018

Hello, One follow up question on the curt echo wireless wiring. Where does the blue lead hook to in the vehicle when I do my wiring? I think the idea of this echo device was to not have a brake controller inside the vehicle? Thanks

Kyle S.

10/24/2018

You're right, the idea of the Curt Echo # C51180 brake controller is that you do not have to have anything inside your vehicle; you will simply use your smartphone to control the device via an app, meaning there will not be a blue lead (brake wire) to hook into your Mazda.

Ricky W.

5/9/2020

I plug the trailer into the Curt Bluetooth controller all the trailer lights work but the light stays blue on the Curt Bluetooth controller like the trailer hasn't been plugged in

Chris R.

5/12/2020

If the Echo is flashing blue then it just hasn't been synced up with your smart phone yet. Open up the app and pair it to the Echo using the included manual/instructions (be sure to actually pair through the app and not through your phone's Bluetooth). Once synced the light will turn green. Let me know if you have any other issues!

Ricky W.

5/12/2020

@ChrisR It's not flashing it is solid and paired nothing changes when camper plugs in. All lights work on camper but the Bluetooth is not controlling brakeds

Chris R.

5/14/2020

@RickyW Thanks for the info. The solid blue light does indicate a good pair but for some reason it's not detecting your trailer. This might be because the 12V circuit isn't active on the vehicle's 7-Way. Try starting the ignition (if you haven't already) to see if anything changes - some 12V circuits aren't active until the ignition is on. If there's no change then there might be a blown or missing fuse for this circuit under the hood. Check your owner's manual for the 12V/trailer charge fuse location and replace as needed. Let me know what you find.

Jeff N.

5/13/2020

I just purchased a 2017 Palomino T12 STS popup camper, and the dealer convinced me to purchase the Curt Echo bluetooth unit for my brake controller. I initially installed a flat 4 connector to my tow vehicle (2015 Toyota Sienna XLE), linking it through the taillight assembly. I later purchased a Hopkins "flat 4 to 7 pin" adapter that has a flat 4 connector as well as 4 additional wires (black, white, blue, purple). I know I need to run a wire from the positive battery terminal to connect to the black wire (including an inline fuse or circuit breaker), and also a wire from the negative terminal to connect to the white (ground) wire. I just read in this post that I do NOT need to connect the blue wire to the tow vehicle brake switch wiring because the Echo will initiate the trailer brakes based on the brake light signal being sent to the taillight assembly. Is that correct? Please confirm. Also, is there anything I should plan to connect to the remaining "auxiliary" 12V power wire (shown as the yellow wire in the image above, but purple on my Hopkins adapter)? Thx much for your assistance!!!

Chris R.

5/14/2020

You're exactly right. The blue (brake output) wire on the 4 to 7-Way adapter can just be capped off because it's not needed for the Echo. This circuit is needed for most other traditional controllers but not for the Echo (which is one of the reasons I like it a lot - easier install!). No other connections are needed beyond the power and ground circuits you mentioned - all the other wires, including the aux wire you referenced, can be capped off.

Jeff N.

5/14/2020

@ChrisR -Awesome reply. Thx much. One add'l question, if I may. I see wiring kits that include 20A, 30A, and 40A circuit breakers. I read somewhere that a single-axle vehicle (like my popup) requires only a 20A breaker. Do you concur? Again, many thx.

Chris R.

5/18/2020

@JeffN Even for a single axle trailer I would go with a 30 amp breaker like # PK54530 when connecting the 12V circuit to the battery.

See All (9) Replies to Jeff N. ∨

Blake A.

5/25/2020

Hi, I understand that this info is likely already here. But to confirm, I do the following to install this on my 2012 Ford Escape to use the 7 pin plug and brakes on our tent trailer: - buy and plug in Curt 4 pin to 7 pin adaptor - run black wire with fuse/breaker to car battery - connect ground wire to frame -tie off other wires - buy Curt Echo and plug in to adaptor -done?

Chris R.

5/28/2020

I couldn't have said it better myself. The adapter works - but we do have a wiring kit available with part # ETBC7L that includes both the adapter and wiring needed to activate that 12V circuit. It's kind of an all-in-one install kit for the Echo.

Blake A.

5/28/2020

@ChrisR Great, thanks for confirming. I have ordered the Echo and Curt adapter already. I will grab the wire and breaker. Excited to try it out.

Chris R.

6/1/2020

@BlakeA Awesome! Just let us know if any other questions come up.

Pksss

6/11/2020

Does this information about the wire to the battery also apply to a Kia Telluride 2020 with tow package? I have to change the 4 pin to a 7 pin for sure, but is there always the extra wiring to the battery for power and a ground. Will be towing an airstream Bambi 16 rb.

Chris R.

6/15/2020

Yes, on your Kia Telluride you'll need to manually run that black power wire from the Adapter # 30717 up to the battery. Instead of the adapter I recommend using the Wiring Kit # ETBC7L, which includes both the adapter and extra components (wiring and circuit breaker) needed to accomplish this.

Andrew L.

3/4/2021

@ChrisR Hi, I already have 4 pin to 7 pin adapter for my tow vehicle. To understand correctly, can I use ModuLite Installation Wiring Kit Item # 118151 to run power wire to supply 12v fo Tekonsha wireless brake controller?

Jon G.

3/6/2021

@AndrewL Yes, that sounds correct.

Allen L.

6/15/2020

Excellent info around this need, If we have 4 way and the new wiring kit,does the Curt Wireless require the aux for the 7 way to be wired or can it be tied off and not used? If it needs this ,where does the aux get wired?

Chris R.

6/19/2020

If using the Adapter # 30717 or the Wiring Kit # ETBC7L (which is what I recommend because it includes everything you need) the ONLY additional wires that need to be attached somewhere are the black/12V wire - which gets run up to the positive post of the vehicle's battery, and the white wire - which just needs to be grounded to a clean, bare metal surface.

Halden R.

7/21/2020

@ChrisR will this adapter work even if all the typical wires on the 7pin are connected anyway as if there was a wired brake controller installed? Or should the brake wire be disconnected if it is already installed at the 7pin?

Chris R.

7/27/2020

@HaldenR The Echo won't use that brake output circuit, but there's no reason to disconnect it if it's already attached to the 7-Way. If all the circuits are already ran on your 7-Way you can just leave everything as-is!

Issac

7/16/2025

I drive a 2005 F-150 XL When I go to plug the controller into the 7 pin plug on my truck the light on top of the controller never eliminates. I have a seven plug tester that I put in and it shows that I have power coming out of plug on truck as the lights and blinkers work when I plug the controller into the seven pin and then plug my tester into the end of the controller it does light up as well but the light on top of the controller still does not come on so that way I can connect to my phone. Do I have a bad controller or am I missing something? Thank you for your help in advance

Robin H.

7/16/2025

@Issac did you test the 12V pin as well or just the lights? If you have 12V power running to the controller and nothing is coming on I would say it is an internal issue and you should replace it under the lifetime warranty.

Kevin J.

8/16/2025

I currently have a 2022 Palisade that has 4 pin harness. I found out that kia has a harness for 7 pin cause hyundai doesnt have a manufactured harnss for 7 pin with them. If i trace the 4 pin to that connector and disconnect and connect the 7 pin to it will that have everything i need for the curt wireless controller? I was informed that Palisades have 7 pin wiring already but the end they only carry a 4 pin plug. I am just worried that i need new wiring going thru the car for the Curt controller to work.

Jesse M.

8/18/2025

@KevinJ You can disconnect the 4-pin and replace it with a 7-pin but you will still need to run a wire from the 7-way to the vehicle battery to power the controller. The Curt wireless controller does not need a wire to the brake switch but it does need 12v power to operate.

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What is Required to Use Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller

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