Brake Controller Alternatives for 2019 Toyota Tundra  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The 2019 Toyota Tundra doesn't have a brake controller connector under the dash, so if you were to install a standard, old-school aftermarket controller, you'd need to hardwire it in.

The easiest alternative to that would be the Curt Echo, part # C51180. As long as your existing 7-way trailer connector has a functional 12-volt feed, the brake controller would be a plug and play installation. The brake controller would use your smart phone through an app as the display/ in-cab controls. The nice thing about the Echo is that you won't have to drill holes in the underside of the dash of your new truck, and there won't be a box hanging from the dash to bash your knee on.

If you'd feel more comfortable with something like a traditional brake controller, the install shouldn't be too difficult as the vehicle already has a factory brake controller. Your first step would be to pull the factory controller from the dash to access the wiring harness that plugs into the rear of it. Use a circuit tester like # 40376 and probe the wires feeding the controller until you find the 12-volt power feed. This wire will connect to the black wire of the brake controller you use. Another wire should show voltage only when the brake pedal is pressed, this would connect to the red wire of the controller. Then, locate the wire that shows power only when the brake controller's manual brake switch is actuated. This wire connects to the blue brake controller wires. The white brake contoller wire would ground to the vehicle, preferably to the negative battery terminal.

As far as a brake controller goes, you could indeed go with a standard brake controller such as the # 90195 Tekonsha Prodigy P3 but given that yours is a new vehicle, I'd personally choose the Redarc # RED44FR. The Redarc Pro Elite mounts under the dash, out of sight and features one dial that can be dash mounted using an un-used accessory switch knockout. A replacement switch bezel for the Tundra is available as part # 331-TPSI-002.

expert reply by: Mike L

0