Brake Controller Installation on 2011 Toyota Tundra

Updated 06/18/2020 | Published 10/03/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Discovery NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 4 Axles - Time Delayed

(73)

$113.95

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

(3526)

$118.67

Question:

I would like brake control and plug in wiring harness for a 2011 Toyota tundra double cab could you please recommend proper ones. Thanks

asked by: Brian B

Expert Reply:

If your 2011 Tundra has the factory tow package, which includes the factory installed 7-way trailer connector on the rear bumper, it will be equipped with the tow package plug under the dash, as shown in the photo I've edited for you. Some models with the factory 4-pole (or 4-pin) trailer connector will also have the plug under the dash, you'll need to look for a white plug located above and to the left of the emergency brake pedal, above the toe kick. Occasionally, the plug will be located behind the toe kick, so you might need to remove it to find out for sure. If your truck has the 4-pole but no tow package connector under the dash, you'll need to hardwire the controller.

If you have the 7-way, the installation would be very simple. You'd simply install the controller under the dash, within easy reach of the driver. Usually, to the right of the steering column works best. You'd then plug one end of the wiring adapter into the rear of the controller, and the other end into the tow package plug.

If you have the 4-pole WITH the tow package plug, you'll install the controller, and plug it in. At the rear of the vehicle, you'll use the # 37185 adapter, which will plug into the 4-pole. The adapter has 4 other wires that would need to be dealt with. The white wire is grounded to the vehicle. The blue wire carries the output voltage for the brake controller, the black wire carries accessory voltage from the vehicle battery and the purple wire is usually used for the reverse lamps if the trailer is equipped with them. There should be a blue and an orange or red wire on the drivers side frame member, the blue wire would connect to the blue wire from the adapter and the orange or red wire connects to the black adapter wire.

If you have the 4-pole with NO trailer connector, you'll need our brake controller installation kit, part # ETBC7. The kit contains everything needed to install a brake controller, including all wire, circuit breakers, hardware and even the adapter to convert the existing 4-pole to a 7-way.

For a brake controller, I'd strongly urge you go with a proportional controller. A proportional controller like the Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160 can actually sense how quickly the tow vehicle is braking, and will send the appropriate amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so that the vehicle and the trailer stop at the same rate. This leads to safer, much more predictable and efficient braking action. If your truck has the tow package plug, you'd use the # 3040-P brake controller wiring adapter.

I'll link you to some install videos and articles I hope you'll find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L

Chris C.

6/14/2020

Thank you very much for the info, Mike. Very much appreciated. However. I've heard different answers to the tow cap. I've got the "quad cab" 2011 with the 7 pin installed from the factory. 5.7V8 with automatic trans. I believe it's the 6 speed? (seldom drive it as the "boss" of 30 years won't let me drive her truck until the gas light comes on....)

Chris R.

6/18/2020

I took a look at the owner's manual and it looks like the towing capacity of your Tundra will be somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds. There are some other factors still that dictate the specific limit such as bed length, drivetrain, and the particular model number of your truck. You may want to contact a local Toyota dealer with your VIN and they should be able to give you a specific capacity. I'm sorry to hear about the rare driving time you get - maybe try to leave the tank closer to empty when you "fill it up"?