Trailer Wiring Harness on a 2012 Toyota Tacoma
Question:
hello, i have a 2012 toyota Tacoma, i need to buy a trailer wiring harness. my trailer has a circular plug with six pins in a circle. Can you help, im not sure what i need.
asked by: Devin
Expert Reply:
It sounds like you have a 6-way trailer connector on your trailer. Either that or a 7-way. If it looks like the picture with 6 round pin holes you have a 6-way. If it's a 7-way it will look like the second picture with the 6 "blades" around a single pin in the middle.
Whichever one you have the easiest way to install the correct harness on your 2012 Toyota Tacoma is to start with a 4-way trailer connector. For the 4-way you can use # 118496. This installs by plugging in behind the tail lights of the truck. Or possibly along the truck's frame rail. I've linked an install video to help.
Once you have the 4-way you'll be able to convert it to either the 6-way or 7-way. There's a couple of ways you can do this depending on your trailer. If your trailer has brakes you'll need the connector to be fully functional. If the trailer doesn't have brakes and you only need to power the lights then you can use an adapter from the 4-way. If that's the case you can use # 37175 for the 6-way and just cap off the extra wires. For a 7-way use # 37185 and do the same.
To power a trailer's brakes you'll need the connector to be fully functioning and the wires to power each pin will need to be installed. Luckily we have kits to make this process a little easier. If you have the 6-way use our # ETBC6 kit. If you have the 7-way it'll be the # ETBC7 kit. They both install in a similar fashion except the ETBC6 is missing a pin that's usually for back up lights on a trailer that has them. I've linked a help article that includes diagrams to show you the function of each pin on both types of connectors.
In addition to the connector you'll also need an electric brake controller to power a trailer's electric brakes. I recommend the Prodigy P2 # 90885 for you. It's one of our top sellers because of how reliable it is. Everything needed to install the P2 will either be included with it or part of the kits I mentioned earlier.
Products Referenced in This Question
Adapter 4 Pole to 6 Pole and 4 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 6 Round
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 6-Way and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Video: Trailer Hitch Installation - 2013 Toyota Tacoma - Curt
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Q&A: Adding 7-Way Trailer Connector to 2014 Toyota Tacoma without Factory Tow Package
- Q&A: Recommended Trailer Hitch and Wiring for 2011 Toyota Tacoma
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole w/Test Lamps
- Shop: Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole
- Shop: Curt Trailer Connector Adapter with Backup Alarm - 4-Way to 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat
- Video: Best 2012 Toyota Tacoma Trailer Hitch Options
- Video: Curt Wiring - Wiring Adapters - C57102 Review
- Video: Best 2012 Toyota Tacoma Trailer Wiring Options
- Video: Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness Installation - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
- Video: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Installation - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
- Video: Trailer Wiring Harness Installation - 2015 Toyota Tacoma
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: hitch
- Search Results: trailer hitch wiring
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Recommended Hitch for a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Q&A: What Hitch Do You Recommend for a 2024 Toyota RAV4?
on Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
