I have a 2000 Tundra and just purchased a utility trailer with brakes...Is this the controller I want and does it need to be hard wired in my vehicle
1570298
All new and newer vehicles come with a pre wired plug under the dash near the steering column or the emergency brake. You just need the adapter for your vehicle. My Jeep grand cherokee and my dodge pickup came with the adapter in the glove box.
1944884
I would email the Tekonsha company and ask. On my 2008 Tundra the wiring plug in for the controller is under the dash and near the steering column and easily visible with a flashlight. It should be an exact mate to the wiring end on the Tekonsha.
2238958
Opinion: Trailer interfaces should be standardized, for instance a 4 pin connector like I have I was able to adapt to this brake controller easily enough. The pairing process should be straightforward enough. I seem to remember the only oddity is some vehicles don't provide power to the trailer under some circumstances, which requires a workaround(like connecting a battery) but I don't remember this being a domestic/import thing. My vehicle is japanese/lexus lx470.
531257
I am very pleased with the response of my brake controller. Once set up, it responds to both my foot application of the car brake and the hand controller. Feel very in-control. Had it for 2 yrs now and it's a 5star. BTW learned that our military base outdoor equipment rental shop has this brake controller on all their trailers (30ft)
1532985
You will need a adapter if your car is ready to tow. And if not check YouTube for brake controller wiring.
1156331
Worked for me. There's a great write up on Tundra Solutions if you need to add any wiring.
971265
This was the best full featured controller I could find. There are more techy ones out there but they cost a lot more. This one is plug n play, three levels of boost, east to set. I've been towing a travel trailer all over Alaska for the past three months and have yet to find a flaw.
2238959
I bought the unit specifically for a BMW x5 Diesel so I wouldn't have to drill and hardwire the controller. Works great!
1822745
You can apply the brakes independently with the slider switch on the bottom. Mr. Foley, have you tried to increase the brake power (voltage) on the controller. You might have a unique circumstance with your trailer. This video on youtube, is how I did it. I assume that every time you change the weight of the trailer significantly, you'll need to readjust the brake power (voltage) setting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCKveEGHVgYIf the link doesn't work just go to youtube and type in "Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller - Setting the power output".
928229
I have been very pleased with this controller. I use it on my Yukon XL towing a 7x 15 enclosed trailer. It took a couple of trips to get the settings right. I like the fact that it shows a "." without the trailer attached. A "C" when the trailer is connected and X.xx (usually 1.4) when applying the brake. I have been looking for one for my 96 Jeep Cherokee when found I will install on it as my backup vehicle
685578
The unit will determine if there is a trailer present or not. It does this the first time you hit the brake. If there is a trailer, the voltage output to the trailer is displayed, if there is no trailer the display reads "no trailer connected" then there will be no output to the trailer. The unit is on as long is there is a key in the ignition. The power plug in the back is not easy to remove, it has a fairly stout locking mechanism. (Which is good. I do not want the the plug rattling loose when i have my trailer on.) Also, the unit turns itself off after a few minutes of inactivity when you turn the key off. I have had mine wired like this for over a year and there is no change in in my battery health or performance.
275942
This is just the controller part. You will need the wiring harness, specific to your vehicle year and model, to connect under the dash.
1251811
no, my gm van had the wiring for the trailer brakes from the 7 way plug coiled up under the carpet on the drivers side, no plug just wires. The other lights etc. were factory wired to the 7 way plug. I had to make the connections for the brake controller, I think it was 3 wires, they were color coded, it was easy to install.
1824884
When wiring the +12 (black wire) and ground (white wire) to the brake controller be sure to use at least #14 guage for 1-2 axle applications, and #12 for 3-4 axles at a minimum. This includes both to the controller and from the controller to the trailer connection (blue wire). Make sure trailer connection also has a good ground (white) of at least #14 or #12 guage wire. One or two axle trailers generally require a 20 amp auto reset circuit breaker. Three or four axle trailers require a 30 amp auto reset circuit breaker. These are available for less than $10 at most any auto store. They come with slide on or bolt type connections, either one is fine. Do not use a fuse, it can lead to problems. Use good solder or crimp connectors only. Good luck. I installed this on my older '96 Chevy diesel pickup, which was not prewired except for two unused lines running from the driver's firewall to the rear bumper area. It was an easy hookup. It's an easy to use controller that works great on my large two axle travel trailer. You should be pleased with it.
547864
The hardest thing is getting the correct plug for your Silverado, if your truck is pre-wired to accommodate a brake it will be easy. The next hardest task will be deciding where to drill holes into your dash and mounting the controller. I would suggest a location that will allow easy reach so you can hit brake button on the controller if your trailer starts to sway.
674310
I'm sure it would although there is probably a plug you will need to buy to use with it to adapt It to you or wiring harness. that's probably going to be the case with all brake controllers though
1643893
You will have to buy the wiring harness separately, On my 2014 Z71 the wiring harness came with the truck BUT was not installed. Hope this helps! The brake controller works great on my truck with a car trailer or with my utility trailer.