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Old 10-22-2020, 11:46 AM   #1
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having a 7-pin connector installed

We will be towing our new Escape 19 with a Toyota Highlander. Highlanders do not come with the required 7-pin connector and we will need to have a brake controller installed to provide braking control to the trailer. We would appreciate advice on where to have that work done. Is this something that any RV repair shop can handle?
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:51 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by bobwirtz View Post
We will be towing our new Escape 19 with a Toyota Highlander. Highlanders do not come with the required 7-pin connector and we will need to have a brake controller installed to provide braking control to the trailer. We would appreciate advice on where to have that work done. Is this something that any RV repair shop can handle?
An auto shop would be a better choice. I wouldn't want any of the RV shops that I have seen working on the wiring in my vehicle.

Heck, I cringe at the thought of RV shops working on my trailer.
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Old 10-22-2020, 11:56 AM   #3
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In our local area we have a auto shop that specializes in auto electrics. I'm going to have them install the 7 pin in the bed of my truck. Possibly you could find the same sort of shop.

Jimmy
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Old 10-22-2020, 12:08 PM   #4
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I had it done at the same shop that installed the hitch on my Forester. (They did a lot of things related to trailers.) The Subaru dealer had recommended it for the hitch and initial wiring for flat 4 and then I had it upgraded by the same shop.
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Old 10-22-2020, 12:38 PM   #5
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You might want to request that they include a ignition powered disconnect solenoid for the charge line as part of the installation to prevent discharging the tow vehicle during lunch stops & the occasions where you leave the tow vehicle connected to the trailer overnight. While unplugging works, one doesn't always remember...
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Old 10-22-2020, 01:06 PM   #6
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I would ask the Toyota dealer who they use for such installs.
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Old 10-22-2020, 01:16 PM   #7
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I agree, I wouldn't have an RV service center touch my vehicles. There's only one in my area I might trust to touch my 17 B.

In my highly populated area there are specialists with the names like The Trailer Shop and Yankee Custom Truck and SUV Accessories specializing in 7 pin wiring installation, hitch installation, etc. Maybe there's something like this in your area. As others have mentioned, trusted mechanics specializing in vehicle electronics would be a good way to go.

I installed my own 7 pin connection and brake controller. My vehicle was prewired to accept a 7 pin so it was relatively easy. If my vehicle wasn't pre-wired I would have outsourced this.

If you're interested, you may want to input your vehicle info into etrailer.com and watch associated product videos if there are any.

example:
https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...leID=201969589

Not suggesting you install yourself, just more info. and parts price comparison.
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Old 10-22-2020, 02:05 PM   #8
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When I dealt on the Highlander I specified what I wanted. P-3 controller, #10 wire to the trailer run through the interior. Disconnect like Jon described, circuit breaker on the #10 wire, 7 pin and 4 pin on the left side of the receiver, etc. my salesman said he didn’t think they could do that. I stood up. He quickly called the service manager. Yes they could do that and he had prices for each. We made the deal. They had a difficult time doing it the way I wanted but they got it perfectly correct. I tipped the technician who would not give up and got it right. Three seasons later it still works well. Otherwise I would go to an automotive electronics shop who understands Toyotas. There are people out there who understand how to do this. Commercial Heavy trailer repair and sales places are usually a lot more proficient than an RV dealer with a yokel who has poked himself in the butt with the wire probe he carries in his back pocket. I’m a strong Toyota proponent but their “Trailer tow package “ is very weak, lacking plug and play brake controller , the 7 pin, circuit breakers etc. But they like to sell vehicles so remember, they work for you, not the other way around.
YMMV
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Old 10-22-2020, 04:14 PM   #9
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In our local area we have a auto shop that specializes in auto electrics. I'm going to have them install the 7 pin in the bed of my truck. Possibly you could find the same sort of shop.

Jimmy
I hope they are not charging you much. I’ve done 3 installations in my own trucks and helped a friend install his. It takes about an hour, 3/4 of which are routing and securing the harness with zip ties. It is maybe $10 for the correct sized hole saw and somewhere between $65 and $75 for the harness. It is “plug and play” so all you have to do is disconnect the plug to the connector at the rear bumper and plug the two ends of the harness between them. Assuming $40 for labor, if they are charging you more than $120, they are, IMO, ripping you off. It really is an easy installation. And I do not know what truck you have, but if it is a Ford with aluminum body the screws that hold the new 7-pin outlet in the bed need to be aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion.
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Old 10-22-2020, 07:12 PM   #10
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I installed my own 7 pin harness in my 2011 Highlander. Relatively easy except finding the brake wire under the dash for power. That probably took me as long as the whole rest of the job. Getting through the firewall was a bit of a pain too, but not as bad as finding that brake wire.
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Old 10-22-2020, 07:15 PM   #11
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I’m a strong Toyota proponent but their “Trailer tow package “ is very weak, lacking plug and play brake controller , the 7 pin, circuit breakers etc.
A shame they don’t do on the Highlander what they do on the 4Runner which is exactly as you describe...plug and play brake controller and 7 pin stock.
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Old 05-06-2021, 05:21 AM   #12
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This has been a very helpful thread!

Can anyone recommend a trailer speciality place within 2 hours of Alexandria, Virginia, where I can have the 7-pin and the brake controller installed on my 2021 Highlander XLE V6?

Much though I would like to, I absolutely cannot do this myself! I have copied what I learned in this thread, and will take it to the installer:

What I want: P-3 controller at dash; #10 wire to the trailer run through the interior. Include an ignition powered disconnect solenoid for the charge line as part of the installation to prevent discharging the tow vehicle during lunch stops & the occasions where you leave the tow vehicle connected to the trailer overnight. Circuit breaker on the #10 wire, 7 pin and 4 pin on the left side of the receiver.
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Old 05-06-2021, 07:42 AM   #13
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Any UHaul place should be able to install......
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Old 05-06-2021, 08:00 AM   #14
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Your spec is what we did on our 2018 and it’s been very adequate. The only thing I’d make sure of is that the installer had done previous Toyota’s or Was familiar with how to do it. I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for a reference or two. In addition I’d make sure I was happy with the location of the P-3 controller for being out of the way of your knees and yet being reachable for the manual over ride. You only want
To do this wire up once so it’s good to get it done right. Places that sell large utility trailers and landscape trailers usually have experience but not always on Toyota’s.
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Old 05-06-2021, 09:12 AM   #15
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Can anyone recommend a trailer speciality place within 2 hours of Alexandria, Virginia, where I can have the 7-pin and the brake controller installed on my 2021 Highlander XLE V6?
[/I]
You might call David at RV Service LLC in Strasburg, VA. (About 90 minutes west on I-66)
RV Service LLC
link to website
(540) 533-0718
He is pretty much a one-man shop who also provides service as a mobile RV tech. I found him when my trailer was new and I needed warranty work on my failing Dometic fridge. He diagnosed the problem, got on the phone with Dometic, and installed the replacement fridge for me. I've since been back to have the bearings repacked and the brakes adjusted, tasks I wasn't yet comfortable doing myself.

He services a variety of RVs but I do not know if he installs brake controllers, though his website suggests he might. He's no-nonsense and runs a clean shop, and if your trailer is going to be in the area he'll be someone you might want to know.
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Old 05-06-2021, 11:15 AM   #16
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Thank you to all of you! And hello, CPAHarley! We are back in Alexandria after a 3-year detour to Seattle.
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Old 05-06-2021, 06:19 PM   #17
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Thank you to all of you! And hello, CPAHarley! We are back in Alexandria after a 3-year detour to Seattle.
Welcome back Elisabeth, you need to drive up for a visit now.....
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Old 05-07-2021, 05:47 AM   #18
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Jim, I should love to do that!

We are getting our trailer at the end of June (I think; our shake-down camping reservation has just been cancelled by Recreation.gov, and we may need to delay pick up to September) and it would be fun to show her to you.
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Old 05-07-2021, 08:42 AM   #19
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Jim, I should love to do that!

We are getting our trailer at the end of June (I think; our shake-down camping reservation has just been cancelled by Recreation.gov, and we may need to delay pick up to September) and it would be fun to show her to you.
There is a first, someone showing me an Escape!
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Old 05-07-2021, 09:30 AM   #20
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Well, no. Actually we will not be showing you our new Escape because our new trailer is a 17' Casita. We sold the Escape AND the Tundra that we had bought to tow it with because the Tundra was massive overkill as our only car, driven in Seattle's hills and parked (or rather, not parked) on Seattle's narrow streets. And to my great surprise, the Escape 19' didn't "live" as big as our Casita 17' except for the gloriously large kitchen and queen-size bed.

And the gas mileage was awful.

So we have bought a Highlander, the towing capacity of which, 5,000 lbs., will allow us to stay within our 75% of tow capacity limit if we tow a small trailer. For us, the 17' Casita LD layout will work better than the 17' Escape when we have enlarged the kitchen and reduced the king bed space to a queen.

It's been an interesting journey! And I am astounded that this is our 4th trailer since 2004.
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