1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Trailer Brake Disconnect Error

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by DaveCar81, Jan 10, 2019.

  1. Jan 10, 2019 at 8:05 AM
    #1
    DaveCar81

    DaveCar81 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2019
    Member:
    #24253
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD
    Rough Country leveling kit, 20% tint
    Hey guys, new here. I have an '18 Tundra TRD. When I hitch up to my RV, it says "trailer disconnected" and the trailer brakes wont engage. I have taken it back to Toyo and they have replaced the brake controller module, no fix. They even tried to connect my RV to another new Tundra on the lot, same issue. Took the RV back to the dealer, all connections were tested and passed. They only time I notice that the trailer light comes on my dash and actually works the trailer brakes is when I am sitting still at a light or parked. Has anyone run into this issue or know what the fix for this is? I hate towing and not having trailer brakes. Thanks in advance!
     
    Biguntrd likes this.
  2. Jan 10, 2019 at 9:22 AM
    #2
    HTGreen

    HTGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    Long identified issue, do a search for all the threads. Toyota does not have a fix.
     
    Biguntrd likes this.
  3. Jan 10, 2019 at 9:25 AM
    #3
    Adriver71x

    Adriver71x New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2018
    Member:
    #20406
    Messages:
    645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gerald
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra SR5
    Tow Mirrors
    Common problem with the OEM brake controller. Up grade to a P3 brake controller and plug and play wire harness. E-trailer is the cheapest and ESP sells a replacement replacement panel so you don't have to drill holes. Here is a picture of the set up.20181201_141752.jpg
     
    Biguntrd likes this.
  4. Jan 10, 2019 at 10:22 AM
    #4
    HTGreen

    HTGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    Don't believe plug-n-play available for 2018, unless they just released one.
     
    jtwags likes this.
  5. Jan 10, 2019 at 10:31 AM
    #5
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Member:
    #15753
    Messages:
    494
    Gender:
    Male
    League City, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra CM
    Undercover Elite LX, Xact Contour
    I am waiting for 2018 plug and play harness too for P3. Havent seen one yet.
     
  6. Jan 10, 2019 at 10:53 AM
    #6
    Adriver71x

    Adriver71x New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2018
    Member:
    #20406
    Messages:
    645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gerald
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra SR5
    Tow Mirrors
    I just tried to get on there website to check for you people but the website is down
     
  7. Jan 10, 2019 at 11:54 AM
    #7
    woodywoodward

    woodywoodward New Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2018
    Member:
    #15745
    Messages:
    24
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OFF Road Tundra
    bone stock
    This is from Tekonsha

    Thank you for contacting Tech Support. I have attached a technical tip on hardwiring a brake control into a 2018 Tundra. Neither Toyota or Tekonsha will be making a plug in brake control harness for the 2018 tundra. The reason why, is that Toyota did something different with their connector, and we cannot get a brake light signal thru the harness. If I can be anymore help, please let me know.

    Danny Dunn
    Technical Service
    Horizon Global
    (888) 785-5832

    It will have to be hardwired.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Feb 2, 2019 at 6:32 AM
    #8
    DaveCar81

    DaveCar81 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2019
    Member:
    #24253
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD
    Rough Country leveling kit, 20% tint
    @Adriver71x I already have a Tekonsha brake controller from when I had my Tacoma with harness. Where would I be able to connect the brake controller to my Tundra and bypass the integrated controller? Thanks in advance!
     
  9. Feb 2, 2019 at 8:01 AM
    #9
    Adriver71x

    Adriver71x New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2018
    Member:
    #20406
    Messages:
    645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gerald
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra SR5
    Tow Mirrors
    I found out they don't make a plug and play wire harness for 2018. Woody Woodwood posted some info on this. Sorry I can't help you.
     
  10. Feb 6, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #10
    BWinter

    BWinter New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Member:
    #10440
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    2018 White 1794, TRD Off Road, 4x4
    On a previous thread about the same issue a member described a fix. He installed turn signal load resisters to the trailer brake output wires. The additional load current using these resisters allowed the Tundra to "see" the trailer brakes and remain connected.

    He seemed satisfied with the fix.
     
  11. Feb 6, 2019 at 11:50 AM
    #11
    TundraPro2019

    TundraPro2019 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Member:
    #23769
    Messages:
    107
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barthold
    Western Slope, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Pro
    That sounds interesting. Do you have a link by any chance to that thread?

    Thanks!!
     
  12. Feb 7, 2019 at 7:30 AM
    #12
    pop's

    pop's 1794

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #19730
    Messages:
    214
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    North Aurora IL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra 1794 Blue Pearl / 1995 T100 4x4 DX
    $7500 in upgrades
    WHY WHY Would anyone mess with what works in 2017 and in 2018 :crapstorm: I'll tell ya why engineers or cost cutters that would be my guess. :boink:
     
  13. Feb 13, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #13
    BWinter

    BWinter New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Member:
    #10440
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    2018 White 1794, TRD Off Road, 4x4
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2019
  14. Feb 13, 2019 at 1:54 PM
    #14
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2018
    Member:
    #14715
    Messages:
    1,043
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Sport
  15. Feb 19, 2019 at 3:18 PM
    #15
    BWinter

    BWinter New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Member:
    #10440
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    Central California
    Vehicle:
    2018 White 1794, TRD Off Road, 4x4
    Sorry link to thread did not load. I corrected and added the link in post number 13.
     
    TundraPro2019 likes this.
  16. Feb 20, 2019 at 5:53 PM
    #16
    TundraPro2019

    TundraPro2019 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Member:
    #23769
    Messages:
    107
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Barthold
    Western Slope, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Pro
    Thanks for correcting the link!
     
  17. Feb 20, 2019 at 6:21 PM
    #17
    TundraTSS19

    TundraTSS19 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2018
    Member:
    #22626
    Messages:
    332
    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra TSS SR5 Crewmax 5.7L
    LED step bar light strips
    I installed an aftermarket controller only 2019 Tundra 4.6L and it wasn't difficult at all. I used a tekonsha harness to make it easier even though you'll have to take the white plug housing apart bto separate the wires for I stlwlation but it's only 4 wires.

    20190107_210726.jpg
    20190107_210737.jpg
     
  18. Apr 18, 2019 at 12:16 PM
    #18
    Brybates

    Brybates New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Member:
    #29306
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    B
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tundra 2018
    Hey all. Toyota has issued a safety bulletin for this issued April 5. The issue is with the truck software. They uploaded an update and the issue is gone. Brake controller has a lot more power as well. It takes a few minutes. Don’t waste money on any other options posted.
     
    Yowhatsup and pickeledpigsfeet like this.
  19. Apr 18, 2019 at 12:19 PM
    #19
    Electron_si

    Electron_si New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2019
    Member:
    #25414
    Messages:
    24
    Gender:
    Male
    That’s really good to hear that Toyota has fixed this issue. Thanks for the heads up. Is there a safety bulletin number or anything associated with it?
     
  20. Apr 18, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #20
    Brybates

    Brybates New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Member:
    #29306
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    B
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tundra 2018
    The tech did have a numbered bulletin sheet with him. I will look into getting the number from the service department at country hills Toyota in Calgary.
     
    pickeledpigsfeet likes this.
  21. Apr 23, 2019 at 7:36 PM
    #21
    TOYgolfer

    TOYgolfer New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2019
    Member:
    #29430
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 BLUE Toyota Tundra TRD Sport
    My 2018 Tundra had the same problem with the trailer disconnect warning. Took it to the dealer and told them about the TSB that was out there to fix the problem. They found the TSB and updated my ECU and the problem went away. This was the Toyota dealer in Albuquerque, NM. The TSB is out there. I believe it is TSB-0036-19.​
     
  22. Apr 23, 2019 at 8:13 PM
    #22
    Greg Marmalard

    Greg Marmalard New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2019
    Member:
    #27637
    Messages:
    197
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD Off Road Double Cab
    Here'a my service order from a couple weeks ago.

    Worked on my '19!

    TSB 0036-19


    tsb.jpg
     
  23. Apr 27, 2019 at 10:23 AM
    #23
    riversiderv

    riversiderv New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2019
    Member:
    #29469
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    I bought a new camper 150 miles from my home and picked it up last Saturday. The "Trailer Disconnect" warning came on and off the whole way back home in my 2018 Crew Max. After finding this thread on here I was not feeling good about my local dealer being able to fix it. But I took it in Thursday and they ran the update on the truck and I just took the camper out for a test drive and all is well. T-SB-0036-19 fixed the problem. Toyota of Kingsport is where I took it in for the fix.
     
  24. Apr 27, 2019 at 10:47 AM
    #24
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Weird I went to my dealer about a week ago and gave them this TSB 0036-19. At first they couldnt find it. After an hour or so the Service Advisor called me back and said their tech found a fix, didnt say what the TSB was but she said it was not under my specific truck when they searched for it. The stranger part is they said they couldn't fix it because they needed to order the parts which are back ordered. So I have no idea what the issue is that they think they found nor do I know what/if any TSB # they're operating under since it appears in this thread it has nothing to do with hardware and is a software update which needs to be done. They ordered me a new trailer brake controller relay with bracket I believe is what I saw on the service advisor notes. :confused:o_O:notsure::notsure:
     
  25. Jul 8, 2019 at 4:37 AM
    #25
    Anothersmith

    Anothersmith New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2019
    Member:
    #32950
    Messages:
    2
    First Name:
    C
    Vehicle:
    2019 Toyota Tundra 5.7 liter V8 Crewmax
    Hi everyone,
    Picked up our new 2019 Tundra on July 4th, new trailer on July 5th. Whew! Driving off trailer property the Trailer Disconnect warning light came on. Long story short... searching your forum on way home, 2 hours, found note about service bulletin 36-19. Drove directly to Toyota dealer and shop manager said it needed a software update, hence the service bulletin. Waited about 20 minutes and all is well now.
    Just a note: truck was purchased by dealer October 2018 and not sold. We got a great deal since it hung around on their lot so long. Service bulletin came in spring of 2019. You would think that they would do the update when it was prepped at purchase. But, then again, maybe someone would buy this truck never intending to tow anything! THANKS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS!
     
  26. Sep 10, 2019 at 2:35 PM
    #26
    MaxThurst27

    MaxThurst27 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2018
    Member:
    #20643
    Messages:
    49
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rod
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD PRO Voodoo Blue!
    2019 Tundra TRD pro. Same problem. Truck never registered trailer. Got a message 6 months ago trailer error even though I was not trailering. Took to toyota dealer and told it was my aftermarket automatic starter. Problem still exsist. They want me to bring trailer and boat to them diagnose.

    Will this save me a trip trailering to the dealer?

    They had no clue what was wrong.
     
  27. Sep 10, 2019 at 3:17 PM
    #27
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2018
    Member:
    #14715
    Messages:
    1,043
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Sport
    Did your truck get the TSB? If not, yes it could save you a trip hauling your trailer to the dealership.
     
  28. Sep 22, 2019 at 6:57 PM
    #28
    MaxThurst27

    MaxThurst27 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2018
    Member:
    #20643
    Messages:
    49
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rod
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD PRO Voodoo Blue!

Products Discussed in

To Top