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Factory brake controller issues.

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by bj46-taco-tundra, May 14, 2016.

  1. Jan 17, 2019 at 9:19 AM
    #151
    GreatBigAbyss

    GreatBigAbyss New Member

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    Hi,

    New member here. I have a 2018 Tundra with the IBC. Has this issue been fixed on the 2018's that anyone knows of? Or is it still an issue that I need to look out for?
     
  2. Jan 17, 2019 at 7:30 PM
    #152
    JaxSmith

    JaxSmith New Member

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    Especially in a 2018. I haven't seen anyone yet who has managed to install a P3 in the 2018, considering the wire harness is only for 2017 and below. I've originally bought my Tundra to get a small towable RV, but I've been holding off until I hear this is resolved or until someone makes a harness for it. This has left me with a small amount of regret over my purchase :(
     
  3. Jan 18, 2019 at 5:36 AM
    #153
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    If your just getting a small camper I wouldn't fret to much, it will apply the trailer brakes some. I've pulled 7500lbs before for 800miles with the stock controller and didn't issues getting the load stopped. It just could be better when compared to aftermarket controllers.
     
  4. Jan 18, 2019 at 5:54 AM
    #154
    GreatBigAbyss

    GreatBigAbyss New Member

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    My current trailer only weighs about 2100lbs Gross, so I'm really not too concerned if the brakes work well on it. Heck, I pulled it for a year without brakes with my van, and on the prairies and Canadian Shield, it was just fine. I installed a brake controller to get brakes when I went to the Rockies last summer, but otherwise it was fine. So it won't be an issue with the truck.

    I'm planning on buying a trailer that is 6000lb Gross, or so. It might not be for another year or two, so there is plenty of time for somebody to come up with an aftermarket solution for the '18-'19 Tundra's.

    Just for fun, how easy is it to access the harness connected to the current brake controller? Is it as simple as just reaching up under the dash? Or does it involve taking apart half the interior?

    Also, the IBC is integrated with the display in the dash. I wonder how removing it would affect that?
     
  5. Jan 18, 2019 at 8:13 AM
    #155
    WAtundra4x4

    WAtundra4x4 Retired from active retirement.

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    Forward looking camera, Stub Antenna, 3M clearshield. A few other non lifted items.
    I also have a small trailer, about 2000 lbs unloaded. I have it set on the 0-5000 lb setting, and 4.0 on the gain. No problems so far in 14 trips, about 3400 miles. Traveling in hills and mountains in NW, 50 to 5300 ft in elevation only, highways and forest service roads. I'll keep following this thread.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2019
  6. Jan 18, 2019 at 9:00 AM
    #156
    Mediumrarepls

    Mediumrarepls New Member

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    I towed, for the first time in my new truck, my 5k pound trailer with electric brakes yesterday. So far, so good.... I'll keep everyone posted if issues come up. Once the wiring harness for the prodigy controller is available, I will bring it for backup. I have the controller from by previous tow vehicle.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  7. Jan 18, 2019 at 11:41 AM
    #157
    TundraRunner481

    TundraRunner481 Kinda New Kinda Not

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    I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if any lights go off when you disconnect it? If that's the case, I would think you could leave it as it is, then splice the Prodigy into the correct wires? I saw E Trailer had a schematic for doing the 2018+ with the 5.7L engine.
     
  8. Jan 19, 2019 at 8:09 AM
    #158
    CinTer

    CinTer New Member

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    The 2019's are no better. Bought mine in November 2018 and it has never worked. Have taken it to two different dealers and they "cannot replicate" the problem without a trailer. Airstream told me that brake controller will not work until 10 mph is reached, so it has to be moving. Going to dealer again next month with the trailer in tow.
     
  9. Jan 19, 2019 at 8:24 AM
    #159
    CinTer

    CinTer New Member

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    Has anyone used a state Lemon Law for this problem?
     
  10. Jan 19, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    #160
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Even once your up to speed they still don't work well, My aunts Silverado she can lock the wheels on her camper at level 5, I can set my Tundra to level 10 and it barely pulls on the truck.
     
  11. Jan 23, 2019 at 9:58 AM
    #161
    Highwayman64

    Highwayman64 New Member

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    Hi everyone! Reading through the forums I am glad I'm not alone here. We have owned 3 Tundras in a row with the latest being a 2018 Limited with the trailer towing pkg. My issue is the dash shows the trailer connected and the lights all work but no brakes. I own 4 newer trailers and it don't matter what one is plugged in either. I do not get any error codes just no brakes. The monkeys at my dealership gives me the "The software must not be compatible with your trailer" BS It appears to me there is no power to the 7 prong plug when connected, I tell the dealer that but may as well talk to the wall. I find it a bit unnerving after spending 40k on a truck we bought to haul trailers to have to put a brake sensor in it myself.......
    Edit: After posting this I called the 800.331.4331 number for Toyota and spoke to a rep. She made a case file and promised someone who knows something would be contacting me soon.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2019
  12. Jan 27, 2019 at 8:02 AM
    #162
    Mediumrarepls

    Mediumrarepls New Member

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    With the challenges of wiring an after market controller on the 18 and 19 tundras, has anyone use the curt echo wireless controller? I am considering it as a backup. I've ready good reviews on it as a replacement for IBC's.
     
  13. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:57 PM
    #163
    Ryan Mc.

    Ryan Mc. New Member

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    I've watched this thread over the years. Is the consensus to NOT opt for the factory TB controller and opt for a P3 or anything but factory?
     
  14. Feb 2, 2019 at 8:00 AM
    #164
    WAtundra4x4

    WAtundra4x4 Retired from active retirement.

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    Forward looking camera, Stub Antenna, 3M clearshield. A few other non lifted items.
    I had an issue with the controller assembly such that the gain did not work. The dealer adjusted it and it's been working fine for my application. I have it set for electric trailer 0-5000 lb, and a gain of 4.0. its been on 14 short trips for a total of 3400 miles. I like it as it integrated with the dash display.
     
  15. Feb 9, 2019 at 4:53 PM
    #165
    tundrarafter

    tundrarafter New Member

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    Just tried out the brake controller on my 2016 Tundra after having the Toyota service bulletin modification of the IBC. Braking is noticeably improved. With the gain set at 10 the trailer brakes will all but lock up at slow speed on flat ground. Will have to see how it handles my 4K lb camp trailer later this camping season when in the mountains. Couple years ago we came down Alt 14 on the west side of the Bighorn Mtns in North Central Wyoming. Several miles of 10% grade with multiple 15 mph hairpin curves. Lots of holy sh.. moments!! Only thing that saved us was that the manual override lever on the IBC would fully engage the trailer brakes, along with several stops to let the brakes cool . That lever is pretty inconveniently located, especially while trying to negotiate hairpin turns.
    This is my fourth Tundra and have been mostly happy with them except for the braking system. ktt
     
  16. Feb 9, 2019 at 5:18 PM
    #166
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    Was there a recent IBC service bulletin?
     
  17. Feb 9, 2019 at 5:29 PM
    #167
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    There was one for 14-17 tundras that reprogramed the brake controller system. I haven't heard of one for the 2018 up trucks though.
     
  18. Feb 9, 2019 at 5:36 PM
    #168
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    That's too bad. I spent a couple hours yesterday waiting for my topper to get installed and they gave me the hard sell on the Curt Echo wireless controller.
     
  19. Feb 9, 2019 at 7:14 PM
    #169
    tundrarafter

    tundrarafter New Member

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    The bulletin is T-SB-0231-17 and dated June 27, 2017, so I guess it’s not too recent and says it’s for model years 2016-2017. I actually downloaded the TSB from the forum a while back. Neither of the local Toyota dealers knew anything about it when I broached the subject. Unfortunately it’s only covered under the standard warranty and I paid $63 to get it done. ktt
     
  20. Feb 20, 2019 at 9:12 AM
    #170
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    Anyone else get the IBC software update mentioned in the P3 thread?
     
  21. Feb 22, 2019 at 10:14 AM
    #171
    JaxSmith

    JaxSmith New Member

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    Not yet, but I'm extremely excited for it. Waiting a little longer to let the Service Bulletin go out.

    For anyone unsure of context:

     
  22. Feb 22, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #172
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    So this is a second brake controller TSB? I had the first one done and while It helped compared to stock I still think it could be better.
     
  23. Feb 22, 2019 at 12:17 PM
    #173
    JaxSmith

    JaxSmith New Member

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    If I read the poster correctly, this appears to be for the 18s and 19s. The TSB that was out there was for up to '17, but the '18s and '19s had nothing and were just plum out of luck. The poster for this thread has a 2018, though, so that makes me think it may be for them.

    With that said, it may also be for all other models. Again, just going off of what I've read here, but it sounds like the first TSB was for the overall power of the brakes (after the upgrade folks reported that the braking had improved decently), but this one is specifically for the "No Brakes" issue where the IBC loses all track of the trailer.

    I could be wrong, but that's what I've gleaned from the situation.
     
  24. Feb 22, 2019 at 12:22 PM
    #174
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Gotcha, It amazes me Toyota is struggling with the IBC in these trucks, this is not a new concept. Mine even with the TSB still doesn't have the power I feel it should, I'm at 8 or 10 on the gain to get decent braking from the trailer, and have never been able to lock them up. I hook my trailer up to my buddies 2500hd and it locks the tires at about 5 on his.
     
    ATHiker and JaxSmith[QUOTED] like this.
  25. Feb 23, 2019 at 7:12 AM
    #175
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    This was my understanding as well from his posts. I'm also excited this issue might be resolved soon. I bought my 2018 to tow my Airstream and haven't hitched it up yet. We have a Yellowstone/Idaho trip in July.
     
  26. Apr 29, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #176
    herg

    herg New Member

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    In November I bought a 2019 20' Airstream. Hooked it up to our 2018 Tundra and got the trailer disconnect after moving just a few feet. After much back and forth, the Service Manager at my Toyota dealer called his regional rep and they told him that this was a known issue. They installed, temporarily, a Tekonsha P3 free-of-charge so I could go camping. I got the call last week that there was a fix. I went in, they performed the service, removed the Tekonsha and I went home. Hooked up the Airstream and all went perfectly. So, for those that have a 2018 Tundra with the brake controller issue, it looks like Toyota has a fix for it. On my invoice it says "Incomplete version of Software as per TSB 0036-19." Hope that helps!
     
  27. May 6, 2019 at 4:13 PM
    #177
    Gilk10180

    Gilk10180 New Member

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    Hello,
    Ive been following this thread for many months, seems to be the best one I have found regarding factory brake controllers not working. I bought a new 2018 Tundra with the intent of towing a 4000lb travel trailer, I have tried everything in order to get the gain to work correctly. I have a case number with Toyota of America, my dealer is well aware of the issue. I have had my tundra looked at twice in 6 mo by the dealer to see if anything is wrong. All tests (as others have said) came back normal with no issues. Today they sent a tech with another truck to tow my travel trailer, and with the gain set at 10, on gravel, we couldnt get the wheels to lock up. The service manager laughed and said "thats not right", hes forwarding pictures and my case number to the regional engineer for more information, hopefully a tsb will be released soon for the 2018-19 issue.
     
  28. May 6, 2019 at 5:59 PM
    #178
    WAtundra4x4

    WAtundra4x4 Retired from active retirement.

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    I assume you have the correct trailer type selected.. electric vs hydraulic and weight? If it any consolation, mine has been working fine. But it’s just a 2000 lb. light one. I have a gain of 4.0.
     
  29. May 6, 2019 at 6:05 PM
    #179
    Gilk10180

    Gilk10180 New Member

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    Yep. Ive actually tried towing it in all 4 configurations, little difference between the modes/weights selected unfortunately. The service manager also explained that some have reported a "fix" by towing in EOH instead of electric, but that is a huge safety issue if you dont actually have EOH. Ill update as soon as I hear back. We discussed that an acceptable workaround would be a dealer installed p3 at no charge with warranty.

    Hello from Tacoma!
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2019
  30. May 10, 2019 at 10:18 AM
    #180
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd Loving my Tundra

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    My dealer was able to run the PCS recall fix on my truck. They made me sign some disclaimer paperwork that looks like it came from Higher HQ (Toyota corporate). They also replaced the brake controller ECU. Hopefully that will resolve the issues. There was no TSB number on my paperwork so unsure where they pulled the warranty fix from. I just described the issue to them and they ordered the part and replaced. Took less than two hours for both recalls.
     

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