Trailer Brake Controller or At The Very Least the Wiring

[Michael1]

The new trucks have built-in trailer brake controllers connected to the hydraulic system. That's the way to go.

The FJ on the other hand doesn't even have the wiring necessary to install your own brake controller (which is just the second rate inertial type), let alone have a built-in hydraulically activated controller. There is only a four pin connector for the lights.

It's illegal in most states to tow a 5000 pound trailer without trailer brakes.

Michael

[71roadrunner]

Michael1 previously said:

The new trucks have built-in trailer brake controllers connected to the hydraulic system. That's the way to go.

The FJ on the other hand doesn't even have the wiring necessary to install your own brake controller (which is just the second rate inertial type), let alone have a built-in hydraulically activated controller. There is only a four pin connector for the lights.

It's illegal in most states to tow a 5000 pound trailer without trailer brakes.

Michael

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Yep, it's crazy that they rate it to tow 5,000 lbs. and provide only the barest minimal amount of wiring gear (only for a 4 pin). I'm about to install a brake controller this weekend and am going to have to run another wire or 2 from the front to the back to tie into my 7 pin connector (2nd wire for charging the trailer battery). Then I've got to make some custom connections under the dash and hood. I wish Toyo would have done this for the FJ.

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[71roadrunner]

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I meant to post back on this. An afternoon had this job done. One thing I'll say is do yourself a big favor and buy good wiring to run from front to rear on the truck. I ordered 20' of: Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire (from etrailer.com) @ $.89/foot. It's two (2) insulated 10 gauge wires (red & white) inside of another jacket. One wire for the electric brake and the other for the trailer battery charging circuit. You want the 10 gauge wire for the trailer brakes because they operate by magnets and are current dependent (I don't like unnecessary voltage drops before you reach the trailer).

I have already traveled over 5300 miles pulling my 3600 pound travel trailer all over Colorado and New Mexico. The brakes work beautifully (as well as the FJ).

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[Romag]

It's illegal in TX to tow a trailer over 2000#s without trailer brakes. The FJ is rated at 5000# because it's basically a 4 runner chassis with a class 3 hitch. Ability to wire that up has nothing to do with it. The short wheel base of the FJ makes towing larger trailers kind of scary, Toyota is not about to give soccer moms free access to towing that camping trailer: if you want it, you're going to have to work for it.

There are plenty of ways to get trailer braking, if you're not towing the kind of trailer that needs glad-hands: the cheapo electric controllers or surges brakes are fine.

Frankly if a person doesn't have the ability to install a brake controller in a discrete, professional matter, or at least locate someone who can, then that person shouldn't be towing a 2.5 ton trailer around that weights at much as the truck, but thats just my opinion.

There are aftermarket controller that can sense hydraulic pressure and apply the trailer brakes just like factory units, and they are not difficult to install. Manufacturers tend to put these type on units in fullsize vehicles built to do a lot of towing, they really don't need to do it in their compact or midsize SUVs...

[71roadrunner]

Romag previously said:

It's illegal in TX to tow a trailer over 2000#s without trailer brakes. The FJ is rated at 5000# because it's basically a 4 runner chassis with a class 3 hitch. Ability to wire that up has nothing to do with it. The short wheel base of the FJ makes towing larger trailers kind of scary, Toyota is not about to give soccer moms free access to towing that camping trailer: if you want it, you're going to have to work for it.

There are plenty of ways to get trailer braking, if you're not towing the kind of trailer that needs glad-hands: the cheapo electric controllers or surges brakes are fine.

Frankly if a person doesn't have the ability to install a brake controller in a discrete, professional matter, or at least locate someone who can, then that person shouldn't be towing a 2.5 ton trailer around that weights at much as the truck, but thats just my opinion.

There are aftermarket controller that can sense hydraulic pressure and apply the trailer brakes just like factory units, and they are not difficult to install. Manufacturers tend to put these type on units in fullsize vehicles built to do a lot of towing, they really don't need to do it in their compact or midsize SUVs...

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Well, I do know that Honda equips the Ridgeline with an excellent 'plug & play' trailer wiring setup (even on the base model). Basically you just add the 7 pin socket at the rear, a couple relays, and the brake controller and you're good to go. They also make the brake controller install a breeze with the included harness/plug.

Yet I feel my FJ handles my trailers far better than my Ridgeline, even though they both have the same tow rating. Personally, I feel that if the attitude of Toyota really is "Toyota is not about to give soccer moms free access to towing that camping trailer: if you want it, you're going to have to work for it.", then it is kind of short sighted and stupid. That kind of thinking is exactly how they'll have some 'do-it-yourselfers' jerry-rigging dangerous tow setups.

If Toyo advertises a 5k pound tow capability on a $32,000 machine, then at least follow thru with the basic wiring scheme to accommodate such a thing.

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