Replacing Factory Brake Controller on 2018 Toyota Tundra

Updated 10/31/2018 | Published 10/30/2018

Products Featured in This Question

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

(6643)

$155.79

Curt Custom Wiring Adapter for Trailer Brake Controllers - Dual Plug In

(65)

$11.63

LCD Digital Circuit Tester

(26)

$26.67

Question:

I have a 2018 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 with tow package. Need to tow a 2018 Jayco Whitehawk 25FK. The Tundra controller will not make the brakes work on the trailer. Seems to be a common problem with tundra. Can I use a P3 or P2 or other controller, by unplugging the factory controller wiring and plugging into the p3 or whatever aftermarket controller?

asked by: Richard S

Expert Reply:

The problems you are having with the factory brake controller on your 2018 Toyota Tundra, as you mentioned, are not too uncommon. This is really the case with most factory brake controllers regardless of the truck make or model, as many customers choose to replace it with an aftermarket unit as soon as they get a chance.

Before doing so I do recommend talking with a local Toyota dealer to see if anything needs to be done after unplugging the factory unit as it's possible the computer might need to be flashed so that it recognizes a new brake controller.

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller # 90195 that you referenced is an excellent choice and my recommendation. It will activate the trailer brakes at the same exact time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your Tundra. It features an easy-to-read LCD display, storable settings, and continuous diagnostics to alert you to any potential issues.

Now to install the controller to replace the factory unit you have a couple options. As of now Tekonsha does not have a plug-in adapter available that will work with the factory plug in your truck. The wiring plug that is currently connected to your factory controller will not plug directly to the P3.

With this in mind your first option is to simply hardwire the Prodigy P3 to the wires going to that factory harness plug. You will need to cut the plug to do this. If the truck wires aren't labeled, you will want to use a circuit tester like # PTW2992 to verify their functions before making the connections to the pigtail from the P3. On the P3 controller the red wire is for the brake signal input (the wire on the truck that ONLY gets power with the brake pedal depressed), the blue wire is for brake output to the 7-Way, the black wire is for 12V power, and the white wire is for ground.

The other option still requires some hardwiring but not into the truck's factory wiring. What you can do instead is use the Curt Plug-In Harness # C51455 that is designed for use with Curt's brake controllers. One end of the harness will plug right into the factory port on your Tundra after unplugging the factory controller. The other end, which is designed to plug into a Curt controller, can be hardwired to the P3 pigtail after cutting off the plug end.