Can a Trailer Brake Controller Be Installed in 2019 Toyota Highlander

Question:

i will be towing a trailer that has electric brakes and I believe I need to install a brake controller. I have a 2019 Toyota Highlander with no tow package. Can this be done? What would I need? What are your recommendations? Thank you.

asked by: Steven

Expert Reply:

You can absolutely install a trailer brake controller on your 2019 Toyota Highlander and I am happy to recommend the parts you will need for this.

To start, if you don't have any trailer wiring already installed on the Highlander, you first need to add a 4-Way connector. For this I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Wiring Harness # 118449, which will plug right into a factory port located under the spare tire compartment at the rear of your Highlander.

Once the 4-Way is in place it needs to be upgraded to a 7-Way connector. I recommend using the Wiring Kit # ETBC7L for this purpose. This kit includes everything you need to accomplish this along with the wiring to actually activate the circuits needed for the brake controller I recommend.

This brings us to the brake controller itself. For your Toyota Highlander I highly recommend the Curt Echo # C51180 that offers a unique combination of performance and use of use. The Echo will plug directly into the 7-way connector mentioned above and pair to your smart phone via Bluetooth. This means you will use your phone to adjust any settings or activate the manual override instead of having to mount and install an additional component inside the vehicle for this purpose (which separates it from most other brake controllers on the market). Because it just plugs into a 7-Way, it's also easily transferable to other vehicles if you ever need to tow with something else.

I have attached a video demonstration of the Echo being installed and used on the 2019 Highlander that you can check out as well.