Installing 7-Way Trailer Connector on a 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Updated 10/01/2019 | Published 09/30/2019

Products Featured in This Question

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

(3417)

$134.79

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1782)

$279.95

7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires

(342)

$97.91

Question:

For the Highlander Hybrid, the battery is not under the hood it is in the back. Where should we connect the wires and breakers from the ETBC7 kit. Thanks

asked by: Jean-Philippe L

Expert Reply:

Instead of extending the black wire from the 7-Way plug in 7-way upgrade kit part # ETBC7 to the battery under the hood you would extend the black wire from the plug to the positive side of the battery in the back of the vehicle with a 40 amp circuit breaker. You would then need to extend the power wire from the brake controller adapter back to the battery in the back of the vehicle with a 30 amp circuit breaker. The ground wire of the brake controller would need to be extended back to the battery as well to the negative side of the battery. I have attached a wiring diagram for your reference, just pretend the battery in the wiring diagram is closer to the back of the vehicle.

Another option would be to use the kit part # ETBC7L with the Curt Echo brake controller part # C51180. The Curt Echo only requires the black power wire of the 7-way to be active and the ground to be grounded to a clean bare metal surface. The ETBC7L and the Echo will be an easier install for you especially since the battery is in the back of your vehicle. You won't need to extend any wires from the cab to the back of the vehicle because there is not a box in the cab. You can extend the black wire from the ETBC7L plug to the battery using the 40 amp circuit breaker and then ground it. You can plug the 4-way wiring from the Highlander into the pig tail from the ETBC7L. Then plug the Curt Echo in line with the 7-way plug and that's it. The brake settings can be controlled via your smart phone with an app.

expert reply by: Heather A