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New (disappointed) Tundra owner

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by ron4953, Jan 2, 2018.

  1. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:29 AM
    #1
    ron4953

    ron4953 [OP] New Member

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    Hello everyone,

    In mid November my wife and I went to our ‘local’ (60 miles away) Toyota dealership to possibly purchase a tundra model for towing a travel trailer. After we introduced ourselves to the sales rep. we told him we were interested in purchasing a tundra for the sole purpose of towing a 3000-4000 pound travel trailer. He showed us a 2018 tundra and told us it had everything we needed and would have no problem doing what we wanted. The truck (an SR5 model came with a receiver for the hitch, a 4 and 7 plug connector, transmission cooling, and a small connector in the glove box for the brake connector). I asked several times if this truck could tow my trailer and was told it could. I asked the sales manager as well and was assured the truck had everything we needed, so we purchased the vehicle. After we got it home we found out the little connector was not for a brake controller but for a backup camera. There is no brake controller on this vehicle. In my state if you tow anything over 1500 pounds the towed vehicle must have brakes and you must be able to control those brakes from the tow vehicle. This means I can’t legally tow my travel trailer. I have called the Toyota Corporation twice. Their response is that the corporation doesn’t consider the vehicle we purchased to have a tow package and “They are so sorry the dealership sold it to us that way, but we have to work it out with the dealership”. We have tried on several occasions to work this out with the dealership. Their stance is that they didn’t know Toyota changed the brake controller plug and play connector on this new model, and they just don’t know what to do. They promise to keep ‘researching a solution’ for us. The last I heard from them was over a week ago.

    Whether the dealership knew or not I feel they fraudulently sold me a vehicle we can’t use, especially when we were very clear about why we were buying this vehicle. This vehicle also is not compliant with towing laws in my state. If Toyota is still selling these tundras (as I’m sure they are) then none of these vehicles are state compliant. I have tried very hard to work this out with the Toyota Corporation and the dealership. We have gone to several rv businesses, a different Toyota dealership, looked at Youtube and etrailer videos, discussed this with rv businesses on line, and everyone is surprised Toyota did this without informing there dealerships or the public. We have looked all over the inside of the truck for the plug and play connector, but apparently Toyota has decided to discontinue it on this new model. I love this truck in every other way, but I'm extremely disappointed, and pissed off about the brake controller issue.
     
    Stomach Hands and T-Rex266 like this.
  2. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:41 AM
    #2
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    The OEM controller isn't that great from most that I have read. A lot of people put on an aftermarket controller with a trim piece that is easily accessible. Some of the guys here will be more helpful but I believe you should be able to get a plug and play controller and trim price for a couple hundred bucks, which is cheaper and better than the Toyota brake controller.
    I believe ehat you want is the Tekonsha P3 controller ($110 on Amazon, Toyota harness, if needed, is about $15) and the ESP controller trim, if you want the OEM look (about $70 on amazon)
    As far as the dealer not knowing what that wire harness is...thats bull and I'd be pissed off too but I don't believe Toyota is trying to deceive anyone.

    Screenshot_20180102-143616.jpg
     
    ZappBrannigan, KELZ84, 1UPPER and 4 others like this.
  3. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:43 AM
    #3
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Welcome from CO and sorry to hear about your issue. My 2016 SR5 has a brake controller as I bought one with a towing package; it's below the steering wheel to the right on the dashboard. Sounds to me like the dealership is at fault and not the poor truck. Have you considered legal representation? Better business bureau?
     
    Black Wolf, ColoradoTJ and TheBeast like this.
  4. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:44 AM
    #4
    Redbeard321

    Redbeard321 ballin' on a budget

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    That sucks. Do you have tow/haul mode?

    Do you already own the trailer? Can you get one with hydraulic brakes instead of using a brake controller to be legal? I had hydraulic brakes on a boat trailer, it uses the trailers weight and momentum to compress the hydraulic cylinder to apply the brakes.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #5
    Tundrazy

    Tundrazy Turd Bro

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    Sorry to hear about your experience with the dealer, but I would not blame Toyota corporate. As others have said, it is very easy to add an aftermarket controller and then you will have the best 1/2 ton on the market that will EASILY tow your trailer with little to no reliability issues. If/when you go to sell this truck in 5-10 years, it will be worth more than ANY other similar-aged 1/2 ton truck out there.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  6. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:52 AM
    #6
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    Welcome sorry to hear about this.
    They must of sold you a 4.6L. I thought the 5.7 came standard with brake controller, I might be wrong though.
     
    Fiestee23, 14burrito and Krezz like this.
  7. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:53 AM
    #7
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    I believe tow package is optional. I could be wrong too . . .
     
    Y0TA PR0[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Jan 2, 2018 at 11:54 AM
    #8
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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  9. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:05 PM
    #9
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    I would go with what @Pudge suggested. I do trailer packages every day and unless your trim package included the factory integrated brake controller most vehicles dont have it. That goes for Ford, Chevy, GMC, Dodge and Nissan. All of them however, are wired for electric brakes. Under your dash is a small, white plug that any aftermarket brake controller, with the proper harness, will plug into. Welcome from WI btw.
     
  10. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:08 PM
    #10
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Welcome from CO. It should have all been listed in the vehicle specs. It’s too bad you didn’t join before the purchase so we could help. As mentioned, many just go with an aftermarket controller.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:09 PM
    #11
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Just call the dealership, ask for the general sales manager. Tell him what happened and just tell him to have his service department instal an aftermarket system for you for free and you will go away. Otherwise mention legal action against the salesman and dealership and keep pestering them until something is resolved.
     
  12. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:09 PM
    #12
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Trying to bring legal rep against Toyota is like flushing money down the toilet IMO.
     
  13. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:18 PM
    #13
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    What do you mean by “this vehicle is not compliant in my state to tow?”
    Are you just referring to the fact no brake controller exists??
    If so, about the easiest fix there is. Get the Prodigy P3 with harness and you’re done.
     
    Battleborn_Girl and Black Wolf like this.
  14. Jan 2, 2018 at 12:19 PM
    #14
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Yep, I believe it’s a mediation session anyway. But, companies with that kind of coin will just wear an average Joe down until they give up.
     
    Black Wolf and T-Rex266[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:11 PM
    #15
    mtTundra

    mtTundra New Member

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    Longer list than the wife needs to know about....
    Quick search on the Toyota website. Looks like the Integrated Trailer Brake is standard on Limited and up trims. The wiring for a trailer brake has been standard since 2015 I believe, so adding one to your 2018 should be a simple plug and play.
    As others stated you should discuss with the dealer, tell them you were specially promised that was a feature of the truck and see if they will add an aftermarket system. Just don't let me screw it to the dash, require they get the trim piece to go with it or tell them to leave it loose so you can add the trim without having holes drilled in your existing trim.

    upload_2018-1-2_14-7-55.jpg

    *Edit* looking closer it looks like by adding either 4x4, crewmax, or 5.7 motor then the trailer brake becomes standard on SR5 so would need a little more detail on your specific vehicle.
     
    big_jarv likes this.
  16. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:11 PM
    #16
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    If the truck has the receiver then it has to have the controller, no?
     
  17. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:23 PM
    #17
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Make sure that you were sold a truck with a 5.7L engine and a "tow package" first and foremost.

    Tow Package:
    29 towing hitch receiver, 4.3 rear axle ratio, TOW/HAUL Mode switch, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, supplemental engine oil cooler, supplemental transmission cooler, heavy-duty battery, 170-amp alternator and 4-/7-pin connector

    If you dont have the tow package on the truck and you tow a lot then you will want to trade the truck for one that does.
     
    classiccat, NCinCO, Law323 and 3 others like this.
  18. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:26 PM
    #18
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Guessing they just told you the wrong spot for the controller since you say it has the receiver for the hitch, a 4 and 7 plug connector, transmission cooling.
     
  19. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:29 PM
    #19
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    This is what the factory brake controller looks like and its located to the lower right of hte steering wheel

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    6.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
  20. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:31 PM
    #20
    Borgs

    Borgs New Member

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    Does your agreement of sale say you were promised a tow package? If not, do you have anything in writing from the salesman saying they will include the tow package for $X.
     
  21. Jan 2, 2018 at 1:46 PM
    #21
    birdman076

    birdman076 Bird, bird, bird...bird is the word

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    The listed adapter harness is a Tekonsha 3031-P which will plug and play into your brake control harness which should be tucked under the dash usually on the right side of the steering wheel..However I would verify the plug under the dash before ordering. The P3 is a nice fully decked out unit which IMHO after selling 100s of brake controllers is just too much for most people. Something nice and economical is a Curt Discovery, basic no frills economical brake controller which will do up to 4 axles...Sold a ton of them and they have a life time warranty!
     
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  22. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:09 PM
    #22
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    Not defending the salesman here but odds are that he probably didn't have a clue. I have yet to meet a sales person, besides commercial/ fleet salesmen, that know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to trailer prep packages. They see trailer tow prep on the build sheet or window sticker and assume it's complete. If you lined up 100 sales people and pointed at the 7 way and asked if everything worked, 99 would respond with "yup, if you have the big round plug on your trailer then you're all set." As you've found out this isn't the case. The solution to your dilemma however, is a pretty simple one. Make the dealership give you a harness, even if they have to rob one from another truck on the lot. Get a brake controller, plug it in and away ya' go.
     
    ZPMAN, 14tundra and Black Wolf like this.
  23. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:13 PM
    #23
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    I'd get them to install a P3. Just make sure you have the tow package... that's all that really matters. If you really want a factory Brake controller... I'll sell you mine for $200. ;)
     
  24. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:35 PM
    #24
    Berettafan

    Berettafan New Member

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    man that is just crazy!

    otoh you're almost certainly better off with the Prodigy. I had one in my 1st gen Tundra for a car trailer and if anything the truck stopped BETTER towing a car on the trailer than it did without any trailer at all!
     
  25. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:37 PM
    #25
    Berettafan

    Berettafan New Member

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    and what the heck is there a plug for a backup camera in there for? surely you already have one with the entune?

    this is all very bizarre.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  26. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:41 PM
    #26
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I am also very confused by this "small connector in the glove box". Is it actually connected to something within the glove box or is it just a new wrapped up connector that you take out and use somewhere else?
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  27. Jan 2, 2018 at 2:41 PM
    #27
    Berettafan

    Berettafan New Member

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    ok the 2018 brochure says ALL 2018 5.7 Tundras come with the integrated brake controller.
     
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  28. Jan 2, 2018 at 3:18 PM
    #28
    blue16

    blue16 New Member

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    Welcome from AZ do you have the 5.7 or 4.6 engine?
     
  29. Jan 2, 2018 at 3:32 PM
    #29
    ldale

    ldale New Member

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    The plug that comes in the glove box is for when you remove the tailgate......you unplug the Backup camera harness and use the Dummy plug for protecting the connector from damage.
     
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  30. Jan 2, 2018 at 3:37 PM
    #30
    scpete24

    scpete24 Duuuuuuude

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    Devil's advocate here, but seems odd to me you purchased a $40K+ truck for the "sole" purpose of towing yet you didn't do the research or check to make sure you had the right model w/ towing package? I never trust the sales rep and often times a consumer can go in knowing more about a specific model/trim/options if they do the research beforehand. I certainly would before dropping that amount of money.

    Sorry your dissapointed, but your sales rep sucked, Toyota corporate has nothing to do with it, and sounds like dealership employs uniformed people. If it were me, get an aftermarket brake controller and be done with it. Stock one sucks anyways and you would want to replace it if you tow that often.
     

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