Looking for info on brake controller for 2017 tundra

I had a Toyota Tacoma and loved it then I went to a Tundra love the truck but for towing this brake controller Just Sucks does any one have any suggestions to inprove this as I no that not alot happens when the gain is up to 10 , I see alot of people are going with the P3 , do these Plug right in or do they need to be wired in
thanks for any info

 

Careful... the Tundra fanbois are prepping the bon fire to roast you with. They ALL know that the Tundra is the "ultimate towing machine" and nothing can be wrong with it.

Our 2019 IBC has an issue with our Winnebago that does not present itself when the trailer is towed with multiple other vehicles. You turn the gain on the Tundra IBC beyond 3.5 and you can't put you hands on the trailer hubs after about 15 miles of driving they are so hot. Doesn't happen with any of the other vehicles I used to test/compare with. Took it into the local Toyota dealer and "we found no problems". Derp.... I think causing a trailer hub to heat to the point of being unable to touch it and then putting that same exact trailer behind multiple other trucks with ITS gain turned up fully and it not happening pretty much eliminates it as a trailer issue.
And you can use a P3, but you will have to hardwire it in place since Toyota decided to not use a universal connector to their IBC. I really wish Tekonsha could/would come out with an adapter that would wire directly into the Tundra existing system... but they probably won't as it would then most likely interfere with the dash/software that the IBC uses.

 

Thanks for your reply and info I will be looking into the P3

 

Welcome from WA Bill!

I quickly swapped out my factory controller for the P3 and I'm very happy with it. There is a simple plug/play harness for the P3 and ESP even makes a new insert for the controller.
I have this and it looks and fits like factory. Enjoy towing like a champ!

 

I also could not tolerate the factory brake controller so I got a P3. You can get the dash install kit and tekonsha sells an adapter that it plugs right in, no hard wiring required. It works perfectly.

 

You have the part number for the 2018-2021 Tundra's? I know that the 2019 no longer has the "universal" pig-tail on it, and when checking Tekonsha website for a wiring harness for the 2019 Tundra it does not show the Tundra was an option in their "available fit guide" nor for the 2018. For the 2017 it does show as an option using part #

$25 3031-P Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

3031-P.

 

Mine is a 2017 so I don’t have an answer for that one unfortunately. I would call etrailer.com to see what they say, as they are the most helpful and knowledgeable source for this kind of thing. They can probably hook you up with something. Anything would be better than that garbage OEM one these trucks come with.

 

Their answer (both ETrailer and Tekonsha) was to hardwire when I called them a while ago... and neither was really sure what ultimate affect it would have on the truck computer with the dash.

 

I have the gain on my OEM controller set at 8.5 I believe and the hubs were still nice and cool after towing for 3 hours.

 

Yes, and I am going to have a friend that just purchased a 2022 Tundra give it a try as soon as he's past his break-in stage.
And no, it should NOT be doing that.... that is my whole point with the local dealer. It ONLY happens with my Tundra and not with any of the others I've used to pull it as a test with. BTW, the Casita that was being pulled by it after I noticed the issue the first time and traded trailers with the friend that was going to the same campsite had the same issue..... so as I've said, I'm reasonably sure it's not a trailer issue... but most likely a controller issue. It's as if the higher the gain, the more the controller energizes the circuit, resulting in the brakes being applied even when not needed. Guess I'll try buying a new IBC myself and changing it out and if it resolves the issue present the bill to the local dealer for compensation.

 

You could try this. I saw it recommended to someone asking a similar question to yours on etrailer. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/CURT/C51180.html

 

I've seen them and researched them also. Issue I have is that there are some areas that I have travelled that have something in the environment that temporarily kills WiFi signals... in my home town there are two locations that my Pioneer system will lose it's "mind" (and WiFi) when you drive through and Apple CarPlay quits working wirelessly after the radio head reboots.... I'd be worried that similar could happen with a controller like that. It also has limitations in that using that, I can no longer use WiFi to the radio head from my iPhone for maps and streaming music.

 

Trying to assist somehow, you could try and read through this thread.https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-owners-have-any-of-you-successfully-installed-a-p3.38084/page-2

Sounds like it has been successfully done on an 18+ with some wiring involved. When I bought mine used I was between a 17’ and a 19’, and with the addition of some of the features the 18+ trucks have it adds to the complexity. For these reasons i’m glad I got the 17 that is pre Toyota Safety Sense. That’s the way of the future sadly.

 

I have a 2017 Tundra and have towed a 7800 lbs travel trailer over 12,000 miles with excellent results using the factory integrated brake controller. The first thing to do is make sure you have the reflash on the brake controller detailed in the attached TSB. Next, make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted. Good Luck.

 

So this Curt Echo Trailer brake controller (TBC) works off BT.. Which I think is still using the Wifi freq as you mentioned.. so that may be an issue however I think in this case this is a BT direct connection to the Echo TBC so it should not lose any connection unless there is some wifi interference as you mention. 2ndly if it does lose BT connectivity then it still works as it keeps its previous settings from your last configuration..so there are a few fail safe built into the controller.

 

I just picked up a 23' 3900 lb camper on Friday. IBC does not work at all.. I'm assuming I could have the reflash done, but it is obviously no longer covered by warranty. I'm assuming a new aftermarket controller is cheaper at this point. So for a 2017 it is plug and play?

 

With the wiring harness/adapter yes. And get the dash kit and it goes right in the factory spot and looks great.

 

Could it be a bad fuse? Is there a fuse for the IBC?

 

Even with the original programming, the factory brake controller should function. The reflash improves the performance....