How To Wire a Brake Controller to a 2001 Toyota Tacoma

Updated 08/31/2009 | Published 08/29/2009

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(755)

$77.29

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 6-Way and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(9)

$73.25

Question:

I would like to use a trailer brake controller on my 2001 tacoma when pulling my cargo trailer with trailer brakes. i need a harness kit, inexpensive proportional style controller , and a 6 pin plug. My truck has a flat 4 pin plug all raedy in place. Can I cut this plug off and add the brake wire and connect this to the 6 pin plug?

asked by: david c

Expert Reply:

The brake controller you were looking at, part # 39510, would work just fine.

We also have a complete 6 way kit that will wire up your 6 pin plug at the bumper and wire it to the brake controller, part # ETBC6. You will not even need to cut off your 4 way connector as it will connect to the 6 way pigtail. This way, when you are pulling a trailer without brakes, you still have a functional 4 way connector.

I will briefly run through the wiring process, but I will also include some links that will provide more information.

The brake controller has 4 wires. The Blue wire is run back to the 6 way connector. The White wire is a ground. The Red wire will go to your brake light signal wire. The Black wire will connect to your car battery with the 20amp circuit breaker included in kit ETBC6.

The wiring on 6 way is even easier. The 4 way connectors install like normal. The Blue wire is connected to the Blue wire on the brake controller. The White is again a ground. And the Orange/Red wire is a power wire to power accessories on the trailer and should be wired to the car battery with the 40amp circuit breaker. If you do not have any accessories on the trailer that would draw power, the Orange/Red wire can be left unconnected to the car battery.

I have included a link to a helpful brake controller wiring page, and another to Tekonsha Voyager demo video.