Parts Needed to Install a Brake Controller in a 2016 Subaru Outback with 4-Way

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Question:

I have a 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited with a Subaru factory towing package. The factory package includes the 1 1/4inch hitch and 4 pole trailer wiring connector. I need to add a brake controller and add a 7 pin connector or convert the 4 pin to 7 and install a brake controller. Ill be towing a travel trailer that weights about 1800 lbs. I noticed you have some videos covering adding a 4 pole harness to the 2015 or 2016 Outback, but nothing yet for a 7 pin with brake controller on this model. Do you know when ETrailer will be producing some videos or documentation covering brake controller and 7 pin wiring installs on the 2016 Outback 3.6R Limited? I looked at some of the videos you have for previous model years to get some idea how its done, but one thing Ive been unable to locate is the firewall access grommet to route any wiring between the cabin and the engine compartment. Any chance your techs have located it yet? Another question: I noticed you have a couple of different wiring harnesses for 7 pin applications. Are any of them more suitable for converting 4 pin factory packages to 7 pin? Finally, I also noticed that some of your wiring harnesses us circuit breakers while some use fuses for protecting the lines that supply power to the controller and the brakes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of circuit breakers and fuses. My preference would probably be to use fuses, since it wont require me to screw mount anything to the interior walls of the engine compartment. Just to reiterate my questions: 1 Do you know when youll have some documentation and videos covering 7 pin harnesses + brake controllers to the 2016 Outback? 2 Can you tell me if your technicians have been able to locate the firewall access grommet on the 2016 Outback 3.6R Limited? 3 Which of the 7 pin wiring harnesses would be most suitable for converting the 4 pin wiring to 7 pin and adding a brake controller? 4 Fuses vs. circuit breakers What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? Thank You + Best Regards,

asked by: Eric F

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Expert Reply:

To convert the 4-way of your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon to a 7-way to install a brake controller will require the install kit part # ETBC7. This comes with everything and uses breakers and not fuses. The advantage to breakers is that they reset automatically whereas fuses require a new fuse which would be somewhat of a hassle.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes.

Getting through the firewall is going to require drilling a hole in it and then using a grommet to protect the wiring. The factory holes in the firewall are going to be pretty difficult to get a wire through so I would not recommend going that route. We do not have a video yet though.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Parts Needed to Install a Brake Controller in a 2016 Subaru Outback with 4-Way

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