Braking while towing seems inadequate

My previous truck (5.4L F150) had the factory tow package and an aftermarket brake controller. I hauled cars (mostly VWs, some others) all over. It felt immeasurably better at stopping my 18' car hauler. Now hauling with my '17 4wd Tundra, with the built in tow package and factory brake controller, seems to struggle to stop the same load. This weekend I hauled a VW Thing. They weigh about 2000lbs. Previous to that, I hauled my Xterra which weighed 3500lbs give or take. It seems like this truck really struggles to stop a load even with the built in brake controller gain turned up. I can reach down and slide the brake controller switch over and feel the trailer brakes engage (tested it empty in a parking lot) so I know its telling the trailer brakes to function, just doesn't seem to stop well and I honestly don't think its the trailer.

Anyone else have a similar experience to share or advice?

 

Common problem. Get a Tekonsha p3 much better controller
Tekonsha
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Tekonsha
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Tekonsha

 

Man I love that Thing'!

And yes this is a fairly common feature of the integrated control from what I have read.

I love the Prodigy control which I have used in several vehicles and though I can install the built-in control I sure do not plan to due to what I have read about it.

 

What have you read?

 

There was a TSB out on '16 and '17 Intergrated brake controller (IBC) that reprogrammed the unit. I had a '16 that I battled with Toyota on the issue, they kept saying it was the trailer, so I put my Tacoma with a Prodigy controller on the trailer and towed it to the dealer, showed them that the Tundra would not stop the trailer safely, then hooked up the Tacoma and showed them the Tundra was Defective. They had already replace the IBC once, tried again, then brought Factory Rep in and he agreed that there was an issue, several months later the TSB came Out T-SB-0231-17

 

Whew. Glad to hear that its fairly common. Kind of frustrating still. Is it fairly simple to bypass the factory controller to install the Tekonsha?

 

I'm going to look into that, thank you.

 

I have read that there are issues with the built-in controller like I said.
A quick search should turn it up too.

 

Must be a controller issue because I have no issues braking while towing 6,000 lbs but i'm using surge brakes on the trailer not electric.

 

If you haven't done so, check the adjustment on the trailer brakes. Unlike disc brakes, drum brakes need adjustment as the shoes wear and even new trailer brakes can be out of adjustment. Don't totally trust the self-adjusting brakes if so equipped - you need to check them periodically anyway.

That said, I agree that you should make sure you have the latest flash on the integrated brake controller - TSB attached. My '17 5.7L 4WD DC Tundra needed the update - build date 3/17.

 

Did it fix the braking issues?

 

On 2017 and earlier, it is simple. Everything you need to know in one post:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/201...ailer-brake-install.25884/page-2#post-1729612

 

Yes it fixed the issue, I ended up trading in the 2016 Tundra and the 2015 Tacoma in on a 2018 Tundra for the LED head lights and the Quicksand color. Yes, I got cash back on the deal, got almost what I paid for the Tacoma in traded because of the demand for the earlier Tacomas.

 

Those Things are so cool!

 

Perfect. Thank you for that.

 

I have a 2018 Tundra Limited and a 2018 Mallard M28 travel trailer. Before the Tundra I had a 2016 Nissan Titan XD with the Cummins in it. The brake controller in the Nissan had three stages of gain (if I recall correctly) and numbers in each stage. I believe I was somewhere in the second stage for my TT. With the Tundra, I'm all the way up and the maximum, and it doesn't lock up the brakes on my TT, whereas with the Titan I would adjust to lockup @ 30 mph, and then adjust down. That said I wish I could put in the Tekonsha in mine, but the 2018 wiring is different. Hopefully someone comes up with a solution so I can switch mine out.

That all said, the brake controller does stop the trailer, it just doesn't do is as efficiently as my last truck. I don't feel as comfortable towing with the Tundra. The TT is about 7,000 lbs loaded. I have a Blue OX hitch and air bags. My last trip was from Miami to NC, and my next trip is in August from NC to PA. Sill love the truck though!

 

Do you have the brake controller set on the 5000- and up setting? This is done with the steering wheel buttons, its a little difficult to find, but its there. Makes a big difference with the heavier trailer.

 

Yes I do. If I recall the options are hydraulic, electric less than 5000, and electric 5000+. I have it on the 5000+.

Thank you for the advice though.

 

Already done. (See link below)

https://www.tundras.com/threads/201...ailer-brake-install.25884/page-2#post-1730000

On 2018+, all the trailer brake control connections are behind the glove box on the passenger side. @dwkarl only used a couple wires out of the trailer brake control unit harness on the passenger side (+12V and brake controller output?), and made brake signal and ground connections on the driver side near the controller. The only thing I would try different is to simply unplug that IBC control box and try to remove the dash controls rather than stuff them back in the dash, but that could result in some nanny irritation.

 

I F-ING love you man!

 

I haven't towed with my 18 tundra yet, but my 17 with the built in brake controller left a lot to be desired lol And from the looks of it the 18's are the same exact way! I guess it's time to upgrade!

 

Thanks. I would consider you the father of TSB-0231-17