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Factory brake controller issues.

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

  1. Nov 14, 2018 at 10:48 AM
    #121
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    How about this:

    https://www.etrailer.com/p-3016.html?hhyear=2018&hhmake=Toyota&hhmodel=Tundra

    plus this:

    https://www.esptruck.com/product-page/p3-brake-controller-mounting-kit

    It's my plan for next year if my 2018 controller isn't working. I'd rather swap it out than kill my family and someone else on I70 coming back from the mountains towing my trailer.
     
  2. Nov 14, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    #122
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Do you think those would work for Tundras that come from the factory with a brake controller? Or, are they just for those trucks without the oem item? If it is for the ones that already have a controller, why in the heck does Toyota want $550 to install it??
     
  3. Nov 14, 2018 at 5:03 PM
    #123
    ldale

    ldale New Member

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    The ESP kit and a P3 does replace the OEM controller perfectly. Just get the correct wiring adapter.
     
  4. Nov 14, 2018 at 5:11 PM
    #124
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Here is what etrailer says. Curt MIGHT make one that will work, but you need to dig into your dash from what the link says to verify you have the plugs.

    I just received your question about the adapter for a Toyota Tundra. Do you have a 2018 like what you put into the vehicle info? If so we currently don't know of any adapters that will fit but i would be happy to try to help you find one.


    The only fit we currently have is from Curt with part # C51455 but when we called Tekonsha (who is more reliable when it comes to electronics) they said they couldn't find a port even for Tundras that don't have an OEM controller.


    Typically this connector is found up under the driver's side dash near the emergency or brake pedal. For the adapter # 3031-P that fits a 2015 - 2017 Tundra the connection is in the center console which you can see in these instructions (https://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=3031-P).


    If you find it let me know and I can see if we have anything that may work.
     
  5. Nov 24, 2018 at 9:06 AM
    #125
    bj46-taco-tundra

    bj46-taco-tundra [OP] New Member

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    I know it’s been posted elsewhere but I had someone asking about the TSB that Toyota did release a while ago to address the brake controller issue.

    So here it is.
     

    Attached Files:

    Y0TA PR0 likes this.
  6. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:16 AM
    #126
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    See my post #121. The tsb repair did nothing. The only reason my brakes worked after it is because Toyota changed it to electric/hydraulic. Which, as stated in other posts, is extremely dangerous when roads are wet, icey or slippery. Plus, it does not qualify as functional electric brakes and is illegal to use in most states. The electric/hydraulic setting does not give proportional braking. I will call Toyota again to see if they made any headway.
     
  7. Nov 24, 2018 at 10:30 AM
    #127
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    The Toyota rep refused to do anything and hung up when I mentioned that I have enough info to file a lawsuit. I called back to get legal contact names and the next rep actually tried to help. It appears they may try to work with the dealer to have a compromise over the $550 estimated repair for the controller. I will post the results. Oh, Toyota also said it would void my warranty if the dash was taken apart to install a working aftermarket controller.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
    ken7571 likes this.
  8. Nov 24, 2018 at 1:17 PM
    #128
    KirthGersen

    KirthGersen New Member

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    T-SB-0231-17 was published in June 2017 & states it only applies to 2016-2017 model years.

    Does this controller issue also affect 2018 & newer Tundras? Was the TSB reissued to include the newer models? I don't have a Techstream subscription to look it up.
     
  9. Nov 27, 2018 at 2:29 PM
    #129
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Here is what Toyota said when I called them again about the brake controller causing an accident and local police saying it is not legal for the truck to pull a trailer that requires a brake controller. Toyota also said adding an aftermarket controller would void the warranty. It is a double bind. I can't fix the controller without voiding the warranty and it is not legal to pull a trailer with it if I don't fix it. All I can do is take legal action, either to get payment for the balance of my warranty or to get Toyota to fix the problem. Oh, they also said it is dangerous to use the electric/hydraulic setting.

    Toyota:
    We have confirmed that your concerns were reviewed appropriately with a Toyota representative and you were provided with Toyota's position on 11/24/2018.

    While we understand this is not the response you were hoping for, it does represent Toyota’s final position. Understanding your personal experiences with your 2016 Tundra is important to Toyota, and your additional feedback has been documented at Toyota's National Headquarters under file #1811130571.
     
  10. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:30 PM
    #130
    ldale

    ldale New Member

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    Can you be a little clearer about the Voided warranty?
     
  11. Nov 27, 2018 at 3:49 PM
    #131
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    The Toyota Rep said it would void the warranty to replace the controller with an aftermarket controller. Unfortunately I have an 8 year warranty. A double bind. Can't pull my trailer if I don't fix it, and if I fix it I lose my warranty.
     
  12. Nov 28, 2018 at 7:54 AM
    #132
    ATHiker

    ATHiker New Member

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    I have a 2015 Tundra which I use to pull a light weight camper (4,500 lbs) using an after market controller. I love the Tundra and the way it tows my camper. However, given this issue and Toyota's inability or unwillingness to address this issue, I would not purchase another Tundra unless I could order one with the tow package, minus the factory controller.
     
  13. Nov 29, 2018 at 12:11 PM
    #133
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Question: Has anyone else brought this issue in to someone other than Toyota to check? If so, what were the results? I am planning on bringing mine into a trailer dealer in two weeks to test the controller. If the trailer dealer finds it to not be working right, I will replace it with aftermarket, then submit the bill to Toyota, or take legal action if they refuse to pay it. Question: Has anyone else brought this issue in to someone other than Toyota to check? If so, what were the results?

    I really don't like the idea of sliding out of control again.
     
    ATHiker likes this.
  14. Nov 29, 2018 at 2:19 PM
    #134
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    If people start getting injured because of the factory controller, assuming they haven't already, and if Toyota is aware of the problem as has been mentioned before in these threads, there will be plaintiff's lawyer somewhere happy to take the case.

    As for taking legal action against Toyota for your aftermarket brake controller bill, good luck with that. You won't find a lawyer and if you do, you'll pay him/her thousands for a couple hundred dollars and probably still get smushed.
     
    757TUNDRA likes this.
  15. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:24 PM
    #135
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Fyi, no-one needs a lawyer for claims under 10k in small claims court. Therefore the legal costs would be $10. I think i can handle that. You should familiarize yourself with the legal system.
     
  16. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #136
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    Who are you going to serve with your small claims complaint? Can you locate and serve a registered agent of Toyota that operates in your county? Does the small claims court have jurisdiction?

    This isn't a landlord-tenant issue. It's a little bit more complicated than $10 in legal fees. And the limit is $7500 in Colorado.
     
    757TUNDRA likes this.
  17. Nov 29, 2018 at 3:54 PM
    #137
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Man, you need to do some research. Yes, any county has jurisdiction in small claims court. Yes, the notice can go directly to the mfr. Yes, toyota gives out the contact info when you ask them. And yes, this is exactly what the system is designed for. You need to do some research before being so negative. It is easy to have a reaction like yours when fear, not facts guide your actions. I am sure there are others that have already taken legal action. Although, if you actually read my post you would see that your response is premature.
     
  18. Nov 29, 2018 at 6:53 PM
    #138
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    I'm not trying to be negative. I just questioned the likelihood of success of a small claims action against Toyota for an aftermarket brake controller bill. That has nothing to do with fear or facts.

    If people have successfully sued Toyota in small claims, then I'm totally wrong. Our smalls claims court requires the defendant to be a county resident, so I don't know why Toyota would accept service or consent to jurisdiction. If they're being served with a suit in state district court or federal court, then like any major corporation, they would name the person assigned to accept service on behalf of the corporation.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  19. Nov 29, 2018 at 6:57 PM
    #139
    Ike74

    Ike74 New Member

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    I am bringing my truck and trailer in on 12/04/2018 to have the look at it because they do not believe me
     
    ATHiker likes this.
  20. Nov 30, 2018 at 9:58 AM
    #140
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Ah, please check your facts. Even Colorado has a long arm statute. http://www.jdporterlaw.com/285-2/suing-state-resident-colorado-denver-courts/
     
  21. Nov 30, 2018 at 10:59 AM
    #141
    sbxx312

    sbxx312 New Member

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    The answer is there, but you didn't read it.

    "In particular, small claims court requires that the action be brought in the county where the defendant resides. See Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure (“C.R.C.P.”) 503. Accordingly, an action against an out-of-state resident may not be brought in small claims court in Colorado since, by definition, the defendant does not reside in Colorado and, thus, there is no county in Colorado where venue would be appropriate.

    In contrast, a lawsuit may be brought against an out-of-state resident in county and district court. Jurisdictionally, the main difference between the county and district levels of court is monetary – that is, claims seeking more than $15,000 in damages can only be filed in district court while claims seeking less than $15,000 in damages can be filed in either district or county court. Aside from the monetary requirement, jurisdictional and venue rules for county court and district court are virtually identical.

    Specifically, county court and district court venue rules provide that venue for an action brought against a nonresident “may be brought in any county in which the defendant may be found in this state, or in the county designated in the complaint . . . “ C.R.C.P. 98 (rule for venue in district court); C.R.C.P. 398 (rule for venue in county court).

    Accordingly, where the Colorado long-arm statute is satisfied, an out-of-state resident may be sued in Colorado county or district court, and the action can be filed in the county where the out-of-state resident may be found or the county picked by the plaintiff in the complaint."
     
  22. Nov 30, 2018 at 12:55 PM
    #142
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Glad i dont live in a state like colorado that chooses to not protect citizens, but protect big business instead.
     
  23. Nov 30, 2018 at 1:42 PM
    #143
    Ike74

    Ike74 New Member

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    part of why I moved
     
  24. Dec 5, 2018 at 10:18 AM
    #144
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    I brought my 2016 Tundra into an independent trailer dealer to test the brake controller. Even after the tsb it felt like it was doing nothing and that the truck brake pressure and stopping distance were increased significantly. At level 10 it showed on their tester as doing what it is supposed to do. But, the mechanic said some of these integrated controllers are designed so you can't feel when the brakes are on in the trailer, therefore unable to test them in actual use. He said it is applying enough voltage so I should just use it and rest assured it is applying the brakes on the trailer. And, that the trucks computer will probably make the brakes apply lighter than I am used to with other controllers. Also, that it wasn't nearly as good as a Tekonsha, but it should be adequate for pulling the trailer, just expect longer stopping distances. Also, to never use it on the electric/hydraulic setting.
     
  25. Dec 25, 2018 at 2:55 PM
    #145
    nj636

    nj636 New Member

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    My 2017 will lockup the brakes on my 24’ Pace car trailer — It is dual axles. So far no issues with the factory brake controller.
     
    757TUNDRA likes this.
  26. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:05 PM
    #146
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    What level are you setting yours at? Even post tsb on my truck I still cannot get my factory controller to lock brakes on any of my trailers. It just doesn't have a strong feel.
     
  27. Dec 25, 2018 at 3:56 PM
    #147
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    And, is it set electric or electric/hydraulic. We need more info.
     
  28. Dec 25, 2018 at 4:45 PM
    #148
    nj636

    nj636 New Member

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    At low speeds I have it set around 3.5-5 otherwise it will lock the trailer brakes

    electric>hydraulic

    on electric it feels weak
     
  29. Dec 25, 2018 at 6:28 PM
    #149
    Adriver71x

    Adriver71x New Member

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    Go with the P320181201_141752.jpg
     
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  30. Dec 26, 2018 at 3:41 AM
    #150
    bbells

    bbells New Member

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    Yeah, the electric/hydraulic works on all of them. It is what caused my accident. Toyota says it is unsafe to use unless your trailer has hydraulic brakes, and they are right. Electric is what we have problems with.
     

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