New (disappointed) Tundra owner

Most all states have laws governing towing. Some just more stringent than others. Ca. is maybe strictest. They even require retainer clips on the safety chains. In Tx trailer brakes are required any time the trailer weight exceeds 50% of vehicle weight. Not sure if that is GVWR or just actual weight. I do not think the law specifies surge or electric. Most TTs have electric while boats generally have surge. Also sometimes dealers just add the hitch and wiring.

 

the only other option would be just to install an aftermarket controller and not go through the shit it's gonna take to get them to trade out truck for another. somehow they would screw him even harder

 

He doesn’t have the tow package hence nowhere to plug a controller into.

 

EDIT: get someone to install an entire tow system. guess i didn't read all the posts....i thought it was just more complaining and people bashing him

 

was complaining about people bashing him for complaining about complaints

 

If there was something I really needed to have on my new truck, like a brake controller, I'd make damn sure it had it before I drove it off the lot. You can't assume anything. This comes down to due diligence and spending some time first on our forum for example.

 

Welcome from Texas....hope these guys have helped you out!

 

That is confusing to have some of the tow package items but not all. One would think the truck would be able to be upfitted with a brake controller given there's a 4/7 pin plug.

I searched on the Tekonsha website http://www.tekonsha.com and the 2018 Tundra adapter harness isn't available. 2017 and older use the 3031-P so perhaps the updated dash for '18 changed the connector style and Tekonsha hasn't produced one yet.

I know we all like searching the web but let's go old school and call them:
Horizon Global Corporation
47912 Halyard Drive, Suite 100
Plymouth, MI 48170
800-632-3290

Ask Tekonsha for advice and please let me know what they say.

BTW I have the P3 and it's the rockstar of brake controllers, highly recommended.

 

THIS^^^^^

No reason to keep a truck that can't do the job it was purchased for. Just get another one...

 

Welcome from Colorado! Since your trailer is very light, your Tundra can handle it just fine. (I believe you can tow 7,700 pounds but check your documentation to be sure.)

I pull an 8,000 pound trailer with my 5.7 and I often can't even feel it back there. (Except when I'm going over a 12,000 foot Colorado mountain pass!) I've found the best people for towing info are those at my RV dealership. (I went to visit my buddy there when I was looking to trade in my Tacoma for something that could pull my trailer...my old trailer was an 18-footer that the Taco towed without any problems.) He, also, installed my Tekonsha Prodigy 2 brake controller for me....mounted right above my right leg just under the dash.

None of us bought a "perfect" truck, always something to upgrade or improve...so don't fret about it! (We all have "If I only knew..." stories!)

 

@ron4953 and ALL... SOLVED..!!! Ok so I've just bought the same truck as you and thought I had the same issue. My truck is a 2018 4.6L Crewmax w/pre-wired 4/7pin connnectors at the bumper.
However, I contacted my dealer and they have confirmed that the plug on the 2018 4.6L is in fact where the manual states it is, which is just behind the traction control button on the right side of the dash next to the steering wheel. The plug is no longer the giant "white" connector we are used to seeing and has been redesigned to a smaller "black" plug. On the 4.6L that is pre-wired with the 4/7 pin connectors it's taped to the wiring as shown in the photo... And you will also see that the truck is pre-wired for the Tow/Haul switch and parking sensors. So if you need them they can be easily added.

Also, to confirm the Service Connector on the 4.6L, which is what this whole thread is about, the dealer pulled a brake controller from a 2018 Tundra with the stock break controller installed, and confirmed that the new smaller "black" plug is in fact the Service Connector. It just seems the Tekonsha and other aftermarket controllers have not yet designed a harness to attach to it yet. Might take a few months to start seeing them available, but if you can't wait, just order the stock controller for the 2018 and the Tow/Haul switch. I'm just going to wait and install the Tekonsha once the harnesses are available.

I tow a camper that's between 2,800 and 3,500 lbs just a few times a year to go camping, and the rest of the time it's dry running to and from work... so the towing capacity of 6,800 lbs is all I will ever need. So if you don't need the beast 5.7L, save the gas mileage and the extra $$$.

 

Just can't imagine driving on the lot with a vehicle and not checking something that is critical to me. Having said that, WTF.....a truck with no towing package is ridiculous. That should be standard.

 

Nice job @DKnight!

 

From Toyota TODAY. It doesn't make sense since they installed a factory 7 way and its for a brake controller, so why not an aftermarket plug? So confusing.

“Finally got ahold of someone on the Tech side. They basically confirmed what we talking about. The trailer brake controller is not available on the 4.6 V8’s, and since that is installed when they are putting in the tow package they can’t think of a way to install it after the truck has been built. They were going to ask around to see if anyone had an idea on any other options, so I’ll let you know if I hear anything from them.

I know it’s not the answer you are looking for but that’s all they got it seems like. Seems like when they moved it to a built in on the 5.7’s they removed the install panel for it on the other trucks."

 

Any one with a third gen available to look at some thing for me real quick?

 

Sure. Look for what?

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zAaxhrWd_Og

look if a plug like this is located there in the 18s it might be connected to another plug if you have a brake controller in your truck factory

 

Great reply indeed! Well done.

 

Has anyone confirmed the correct pigtail adaptor to the P3 for the 2018 tundra with tow package? When I called, Tekonsha swears the

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

3031-P is correct, but I keep seeing that it is the same as 3017-P and includes and additional grounding wire. The 3017-P is definitely not the right plug for 2018.

 

Here you go..! Also, if you go to Tekonsha's website and put in the 2018 Tundra, it tells you that the harnesses will not fit that truck. As you can see here, Tekonsha's tech support emailed me back with this response.

 

Standard on all 5.7

 

just bought a 17 SR5 with the purpose of towing. There is clear information available on tow package availability on the window sticker. In addition, a tiny bit of simple research would have avoided this problem. I doubt the salesman of manager lied, they just didn’t know. In any case, you do t need a salesman to tell you what is clearly printed on the window sticker.

 

Dang. I hope Ron got this worked out and didn't ditch Toyota.

 

Sorry about all the problems Ron. I don’t feel so bad now as my problem wasn’t nearly as bad as what you are dealing with. I had a Tundra Limited TRD ordered. Supposed to be here in about 2 months. The dealership called me about a week ago and said the wheels I wanted were on backorder. I asked how long and was told they don’t think they could get them. So I specified another wheel. I was told I couldn’t get that wheel because I got the TRD. Not withstanding that I have seen them on off road trucks. While talking I asked to confirm the interior color as I had specified black leather. I was told it was dark. I said, dark or black. I was told gray or graphite. I said I didn’t want gray. So now I’m not getting the wheels I wanted and it’s the wrong interior. I told them to forget it. That’s not what I ordered. They got their ass in a crack but I got my deposit back. This has been my one and only dealings with a Toyota dealer. No more. So I guess now I’m soon to be a Chevy Z71 owner.

Good luck with your truck and getting the problem resolved.

 

I hope this will help some people looking for the brake controller plug on the 2018 tundra 4.6L. I leased one and I am having the same problem getting one installed. I looked under my truck starting at the 7 prong plug back bumper and followed the wires up to the front of the truck passenger side to A plug box under the hood where the motor is passenger side next to the fire wall, from there it goes in the cab on passenger side above the black plastic side cover by the passengers wright leg. you will have to remove the plastic cover(It starts at the floor) and remove the black tape around the plugs, the one white plug that has A blue and black 12G wires and some small wires going to it must be for the brake controller. I know the blue wire goes to the 7 prong plug on the rear bumper because I tested it with a Ohms meter. But I can not install the controller my self because it is leased, so I called Installations Unlimited in Syracuse NY and they are going to hard wire one in for me. My sales man gave me there address and its ok with the Toyota dealership. Also the dealership told me they can not order me A factory brake controller for this truck.

 

Ron gone...

 

Hippie gone...