Brake Controller Recommendation and Installation for a 2011 Honda Pilot

Question:

Hello, Im looking to add a trailer wire harness and brake controller to my 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD vehicle. I have enough experience to splice harnesses, if there is a significant cost savings, but prefer to use plug and play t-splice type harnesses, if they are available. Can you please let me know the following: 1. Part number for the bumper mounted receptacle and wiring harness kit 2. Part number for a trailer brake controller harness 3. Recommendations 2-3 options for a brake controller. I prefer an inertia type device, and would like to have as much installation position flexibility as possible mounting angle, as Pilots dont have a ton of leg room between the IP and seat I may install on passenger side or in the console. 4. With the above add-ons to my vehicle, would the new 7-way connector have enough power to support charging of my 12V/inverter system on my travel trailer? I want to make sure if I am using vehicle supplied wiring that it is sufficiently sized to charge this battery while driving down the road. If I need to run fresh wiring from the battery to the rear of the vehicle to support this function, I am capable and willing, but not excited about the possibility! Thanks for your time.

asked by: Jeffrey B

Expert Reply:

Since you don't currently have a factory 7-way at the rear of your 2011 Honda Pilot you will need to go the hardwire route for installing the 7-way and brake controller. If you need a 4-way you will want the part # 118491 first, and then to convert it to a 7-way and install the brake controller you will also need the part # ETBC7. This comes with everything needed to make the 7-way fully functional. The included 10 gauge wire for the 12 volt accessory circuit may or may not be enough to power your inverter. You may have to swap that wire out for a heavier gauge depending on the amperage draw of the inverter.

Proportional brake controllers are the way to go since they can sense the amount of braking that your tow vehicle is applying and will apply a proportional amount of trailer braking. The nicest option with the most bells and whistles is the P3 part # 90195. This has a full color digital display that will display actual words to make troubleshooting and setup very easy. The next best one is the P2 part # 90885. This one is basically the same as the P3 with the exception of the display on this one uses the more traditional style of two digit codes. Internally they are the same controller though and offer the most mounting flexibility of all of the proportional controllers.

expert reply by: Jameson C