What is Required to Use Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller

Question

Question:

Hello, One follow up question on the curt echo wireless wiring. Where does the blue lead hook to in the vehicle when I do my wiring? I think the idea of this echo device was to not have a brake controller inside the vehicle? Thanks

asked by: Shaun

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Expert Reply:

To use the Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # C51180 your vehicle only needs 12 volt, ground, and turn signals connected to its 7-way socket. What this means is you do not need the brake signal from the 7-way.

For example, if you used a 4-to-7 way adapter such as # 30717, there will not be an output wire from the Echo to connect to, so you could simply tie that wire off, as you can see by the accompanying diagram.

Apart from that the only other thing required is that your smartphone have the following operating systems (OS):

- Apple: 8.0 or newer
- Android: 4.4 or newer

I have added links to a couple video reviews of this brake controller for you to take a look at as well which I recommend checking out.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

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Allan

11/2/2021

I am living Australia, my car has 7 pin socket,#1L indicator #2aux or reversing signal #3 earth #4 R indicator #5 E brake #6 stop light #7 Tail light, Licence plate & clearance. How can I connect wire from my car to Curt 7-way RV blade kit I got, Is any Australia 7 pin connector to US 7-way blade wiring diagram?

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Les D.

11/3/2021

@Allan Since you referenced the Tow Ready # 30717 seven way connector, I am assuming that you already have this part in hand and would like to use it and that you have a four-way connector already on your vehicle. In this case I would just hard wire these connections as needed.

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Brian C.

7/26/2020

I am about to install the factory towbar with foldable hitch on my 2017 Volvo XC90, which includes the factory wiring and a 7 pin connector. Will this work with that setup? If not, can I add something to the setup that would enable this controller (or any other wireless brake controller for that matter) to work?

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Chris R.

7/27/2020

As long as the 12V circuit on your Volvo's factory 7-Way is active, the Curt Echo # C51180 will work perfectly.

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Jeff

6/26/2020

can i draw power from the cigarette adapter plug or it has to be from the battery? thx

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Chris R.

6/30/2020

You'll definitely want to make a direct connection to the battery to ensure a constant, stable power source for the Echo.

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Allen L.

6/15/2020

Excellent info around this need, If we have 4 way and the new wiring kit,does the Curt Wireless require the aux for the 7 way to be wired or can it be tied off and not used? If it needs this ,where does the aux get wired?

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Chris R.

6/19/2020

If using the Adapter # 30717 or the Wiring Kit # ETBC7L (which is what I recommend because it includes everything you need) the ONLY additional wires that need to be attached somewhere are the black/12V wire - which gets run up to the positive post of the vehicle's battery, and the white wire - which just needs to be grounded to a clean, bare metal surface.

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Halden R.

7/21/2020

@ChrisR will this adapter work even if all the typical wires on the 7pin are connected anyway as if there was a wired brake controller installed? Or should the brake wire be disconnected if it is already installed at the 7pin?

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Chris R.

7/27/2020

@HaldenR The Echo won't use that brake output circuit, but there's no reason to disconnect it if it's already attached to the 7-Way. If all the circuits are already ran on your 7-Way you can just leave everything as-is!

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Pksss

6/11/2020

Does this information about the wire to the battery also apply to a Kia Telluride 2020 with tow package? I have to change the 4 pin to a 7 pin for sure, but is there always the extra wiring to the battery for power and a ground. Will be towing an airstream Bambi 16 rb.

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Chris R.

6/15/2020

Yes, on your Kia Telluride you'll need to manually run that black power wire from the Adapter # 30717 up to the battery. Instead of the adapter I recommend using the Wiring Kit # ETBC7L, which includes both the adapter and extra components (wiring and circuit breaker) needed to accomplish this.

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Andrew L.

3/4/2021

@ChrisR Hi, I already have 4 pin to 7 pin adapter for my tow vehicle. To understand correctly, can I use ModuLite Installation Wiring Kit Item # 118151 to run power wire to supply 12v fo Tekonsha wireless brake controller?

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Jon G.

3/6/2021

@AndrewL Yes, that sounds correct.

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Blake A.

5/25/2020

Hi, I understand that this info is likely already here. But to confirm, I do the following to install this on my 2012 Ford Escape to use the 7 pin plug and brakes on our tent trailer: - buy and plug in Curt 4 pin to 7 pin adaptor - run black wire with fuse/breaker to car battery - connect ground wire to frame -tie off other wires - buy Curt Echo and plug in to adaptor -done?

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Chris R.

5/28/2020

I couldn't have said it better myself. The adapter works - but we do have a wiring kit available with part # ETBC7L that includes both the adapter and wiring needed to activate that 12V circuit. It's kind of an all-in-one install kit for the Echo.

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Blake A.

5/28/2020

@ChrisR Great, thanks for confirming. I have ordered the Echo and Curt adapter already. I will grab the wire and breaker. Excited to try it out.

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Chris R.

6/1/2020

@BlakeA Awesome! Just let us know if any other questions come up.

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Jeff N.

5/13/2020

I just purchased a 2017 Palomino T12 STS popup camper, and the dealer convinced me to purchase the Curt Echo bluetooth unit for my brake controller. I initially installed a flat 4 connector to my tow vehicle (2015 Toyota Sienna XLE), linking it through the taillight assembly. I later purchased a Hopkins "flat 4 to 7 pin" adapter that has a flat 4 connector as well as 4 additional wires (black, white, blue, purple). I know I need to run a wire from the positive battery terminal to connect to the black wire (including an inline fuse or circuit breaker), and also a wire from the negative terminal to connect to the white (ground) wire. I just read in this post that I do NOT need to connect the blue wire to the tow vehicle brake switch wiring because the Echo will initiate the trailer brakes based on the brake light signal being sent to the taillight assembly. Is that correct? Please confirm. Also, is there anything I should plan to connect to the remaining "auxiliary" 12V power wire (shown as the yellow wire in the image above, but purple on my Hopkins adapter)? Thx much for your assistance!!!

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Chris R.

5/14/2020

You're exactly right. The blue (brake output) wire on the 4 to 7-Way adapter can just be capped off because it's not needed for the Echo. This circuit is needed for most other traditional controllers but not for the Echo (which is one of the reasons I like it a lot - easier install!). No other connections are needed beyond the power and ground circuits you mentioned - all the other wires, including the aux wire you referenced, can be capped off.

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Jeff N.

5/14/2020

@ChrisR -Awesome reply. Thx much. One add'l question, if I may. I see wiring kits that include 20A, 30A, and 40A circuit breakers. I read somewhere that a single-axle vehicle (like my popup) requires only a 20A breaker. Do you concur? Again, many thx.

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Chris R.

5/18/2020

@JeffN Even for a single axle trailer I would go with a 30 amp breaker like # PK54530 when connecting the 12V circuit to the battery.

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See All (9) Replies to Jeff N. ∨

Ricky W.

5/9/2020

I plug the trailer into the Curt Bluetooth controller all the trailer lights work but the light stays blue on the Curt Bluetooth controller like the trailer hasn't been plugged in

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Chris R.

5/12/2020

If the Echo is flashing blue then it just hasn't been synced up with your smart phone yet. Open up the app and pair it to the Echo using the included manual/instructions (be sure to actually pair through the app and not through your phone's Bluetooth). Once synced the light will turn green. Let me know if you have any other issues!

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Ricky W.

5/12/2020

@ChrisR It's not flashing it is solid and paired nothing changes when camper plugs in. All lights work on camper but the Bluetooth is not controlling brakeds

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Chris R.

5/14/2020

@RickyW Thanks for the info. The solid blue light does indicate a good pair but for some reason it's not detecting your trailer. This might be because the 12V circuit isn't active on the vehicle's 7-Way. Try starting the ignition (if you haven't already) to see if anything changes - some 12V circuits aren't active until the ignition is on. If there's no change then there might be a blown or missing fuse for this circuit under the hood. Check your owner's manual for the 12V/trailer charge fuse location and replace as needed. Let me know what you find.

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Answer 1

The Curt Echo Brake Controller part #C51180 is a great choice because of its convenient and simple installation. The 7-way connector that you mention part #A10-7084VP pugs into the 4-way connector you purchased part #C56217. The white wire from the…

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Answer 2

If your plan was to install a brake controller you'd have to also run the black wire of the 7-Way Adapter part #30717 to the to the positive post of your vehicle battery as well as the ground you mentioned. The Curt Echo part #C51180 that…

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Answer 3

There wouldn't be anything else that you could check on the Lippert Electric Trailer Jack with Footplate #LC285318 since the only issue you'd probably have would be internally with either the threaded rod or gears. Most likely…

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Answer 4

We do have everything you need to install a 7-Way on your 2020 Subaru Outback Wagon so you can utilize a brake controller but we need to start off by making sure you have a 4-Way for the basic trailer lighting functions. If you don't already have…

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Answer 5

That's actually a really good question! All the Curt Echo #C51180 needs to operate properly are the basic trailer lighting functions (found on a typical 4-Way), and then 12V power. If you already have a 4-Way/7-Way adapter like part #C57672 then…

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Answer 6

I would be happy to recommend everything you will need to add a 7-way connector and trailer brake controller to your new 2021 Toyota Sienna. First you will need to have a 4-way connector installed of which I recommend the Curt Powered Tail Light…

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Answer 7

Yes, Per the manufacturer The etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e95ZR is confirmed to fit behind the removable cover on the 2023 Hyundai Palisade. The wiring harness has been changed, The Curt Wiring Harness #CU94FR is confirmed to fit your 2023…

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Answer 8

The Curt Echo Mobile #C51180 that you referenced would plug right into the 7-way of your 2015 Toyota Tundra. Your truck having a 7-way and 4-way combo would not be an issue at all. You'd just open the 7-way side and slide the controller in and…

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Answer 9

The 2011 Ford F-150 should have come with either a factory 4-Way or factory 7-Way trailer connector. To upgrade from a 4-Way to a 7-Way you will need #37185. If you follow the factory 4-Way wiring under the truck you will see where it plugs into…

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Answer 10

For the adapter #30717 to function, the white wire has to be grounded to the vehicle frame. Without that ground it will not function. If it is properly grounded and you still do not have lights on the trailer, make sure that the adapter 7-Way and the…

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Answer 11

To use the Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 on your 2019 Ford Ranger with a factory 4-way connector you will need to install the Tekonsha 7-way connector #22124. This connector includes a harness custom made for your vehicle and…

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Answer 12

It sounds like you may already have a 4 way connector on your vehicle, which is half of the battle. In order to operate the Curt Echo Mobile Wireless Brake Controller #C51180 you will need an almost fully functional 7 way connector; using something…

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What is Required to Use Curt Echo Trailer Brake Controller

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