Adding a Trailer Wiring Harness and Brake Controller to a 2006 Toyota Sienna

Question:

Thank you for the return email. Of the two wiring harnesses you mentioned in FAQ, why might I want to pay double for the one with the battery powered lead. Is the converter really going protect my elwctroic system should it get taxed too much.. Should I be concern about the wiring over load with the cheaper one?

asked by: Jim L

Expert Reply:

Trailer wiring harness # 118648 fits the 2015 to 2017 Toyota Sienna but not your 2006 model. For your 2006 Toyota Sienna the comparable trailer wiring harness is # 118304. This is not a powered harness though so if you want one that does both fit your van and require a connection to the battery you can use Hopkins harness # HM11143485.

Since the trailer you want to tow has electric brakes you will also need to install a 7-Way trailer connector, in addition to one of the 4-Ways listed above, as well as a brake controller.

To add the 7-Way and the wiring for a brake controller you will need # ETBC7. Then for a brake controller I recommend the P2 # 90885 because it is easy to set up and use and it is reliable. I have included some links below that show and explain the ETBC7 installation.

expert reply by: Michael H

James

9/27/2017

Michael H.

9/28/2017

What a powered wiring harness does is supply power to the trailer lights from the vehicle battery so that very little power is pulled through the vehicle tail light wiring. It does add some additional circuit protection and if the trailer has a lot of lights on it you would want to go with the powered harness # HM11143485. When it is an option I do recommend it because you never know what you might tow in the future. If you will only ever tow a trailer that has the basic lighting functions (brake lights/turn signals and running lights) and not numerous lights that will overdraw the wiring system on the van then going with the non-powered harness # 118304 is perfectly fine.