Parts for 1998 Toyota 4Runner to use Brake Controller and Charge RV Batteries

Question:

Hello, I have a 98 Toyota 4runner with a 4 pin connector. Heres what I want to do: 1. install electronic brake controller 2. control all trailer lights 3. charge my rv batteries while driving to the destination. Ideally, I prefer oversized wiring between the trucks battery/alternator and the rvs bus bar. This reduces charging issues due to voltage related to long wire runs. I intend to likely use a Sterling charger/invertor for managing the RVs charging from multiple sources solar, shore power, trucks alternator. So I should be good there. Just thinking out loud....would it just be better to use the trucks battery and put an automatic charge controller relay Blue Sea?? between the trucks battery and the RVs batteries skip the charger/inverter? When trucks battery is low, the relay would prevent charging of the rvs batteries. When the batterys amps are high enough, it would allow excess current to the rv batteries. Can you tell me what I need? Thanks for the input!!

asked by: Pc

Helpful Expert Reply:

First things first, let's start with adding a brake controller to your 1998 Toyota 4Runner; since you have a 4-way already you just need to add the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller # ETBC7. This will give you a 7-way connector, circuit breakers and the rest of the hardware needed to install a brake controller.

The brake controller I highly recommend for your 4Runner is the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller # RED44FR because it is both highly effective and keeps a bulky unit out of the cab of your Toyota.

The Redarc uses a small control knob you can mount wherever is convenient, and there is even a Universal Mounting Panel for Control Knob # 331-TPSI-001 you can use. The knob not only keeps the main unit out of sight, but also makes the controller very easy to use.

To charge your RV batteries as you are driving, if your Sterling unit does not have the capacities you need, we have the perfect solution, the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1225D and you would also need the 40-Amp MIDI Fuse Kit for Redarc In-Vehicle 25-Amp BCDC Battery Charger # 331-FK40.

This charger can use both your vehicle battery as well as your solar panel to charger your RV's batteries, and will only use your 4Runner's battery when needed - it will use your solar panels first and has a battery isolator so it won't take power from your car battery when it is off, only when it's running. This will be what you need so long as your battery bank is rated between 75 amp hours and 200 amp hours, which is sufficient for the majority of people.

I have added links to some video reviews and installs so you can see exactly how this works. The installation instructions are also linked for you to check out.