7-Way Wiring Kit for 2019 Toyota RAV4 to Install Curt Echo Brake Controller

Question

Question:

1) Will the Curt C51180 will pass through the 12 VDC from the TV 7-way hot lead (position 1 o’clock from the back side) to the trailer’s plug to afford a maintenance charge to its battery. b. Was I correct that the blue wire is not connected if using the Curt C51180? 2) You stated “To provide a maintenance charge you would need to run 10 gauge wire # 10-1-1 from the 12 volt pin on the back of the 7-way - which is at the 1 o'clock position if you are looking at the back of the 7-way - to the positive terminal of the battery. There is also not a way to add a switch for a charge connection/disconnection, and since the connector only provides a maintenance charge,…”. Your web page, shows a CB on this connection (black wire) for the installation of the ETBC7. Shouldn’t this 12 VDC hot lead be fused or CB protected for either the ETBC7 or ETBC7L? And if so, why couldn’t a disconnect switch be wired in line with the CB to break this connection to prevent TV battery drain if the trailer was left connected for an extended time frame while not in motion? 3) Did you address my question about the Curt C51180 being modified to reduce the chances of it being attached improperly, then while in motion becoming detached, and falling off the TV plug? I thought I read in a FAQ on the Curt website that they are looking into this. 4) I appreciate your suggestion of the C58000 bracket, but I would prefer to use another type if I can. I’ve discussed this bracket with people and been told that it bends very easily. After inspecting my hitch, I believe that a bracket can be mounted on the bottom (underside) of the hitch and still afford vertical clearance greater than the lower section of the hitch, thus keeping if relatively safe from impact. If you picture it like this, it may make it more understandable. Facing the rear of the car while looking at the hitch, I plan on installing the bracket with its short side up onto the bottom of the hitch. Then I will mount the plug’s bracket upside down, with the mounting bolts on the bottom, and finally, install the plug rotated 180° from the normal installation. What I would appreciate your assistance with this is for you to tell me the length of bracket that I would need to give the necessary clearance from the plug wiring harness at its back, to the hitch’s front vertical side. 5) Thank you for your mirror recommendation, I will review them when I can.

asked by: Steve P

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

These are good questions, and after adding the 4-way for your 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118801, use the Universal Installation Kit # ETBC7 to get a 7-way for the Curt Echo # C51180.

In regards to a charge on the trailer battery, you can only run a maintenance charge from the 7-way to your trailer battery, you would need a battery charger like the CTEK Battery Charger # CTEK56353 to actually charge the trailer battery. To provide a maintenance charge you would need to run 10 gauge wire # 10-1-1 from the 12 volt pin on the back of the 7-way - which is at the 1 o'clock position if you are looking at the back of the 7-way - to the positive terminal of the battery. There is also not a way to add a switch for a charge connection/disconnection, and since the connector only provides a maintenance charge, I recommend just using the CTEK unless you will be gone for longer periods of time.

As for the bracket you asked about to mount the 7-way to Curt Trailer Hitch # C13416 on your '19 RAV4 Hybrid, I recommend using the Curt Easy Mount Bracket # C58000. While this is not one of the brackets you asked about, it is the best option because the tube of the hitch when mounted on your RAV4 is hidden under the vehicle. This bracket simply connects to the face of the hitch so there won't be any potential interference.

To complete your towing set up, the only other thing I recommend adding to your RAV4 Hybrid are towing mirrors, the K-Source Universal Dual Lens Towing Mirrors # KS3990 because this is going to extend how far behind you will be able to see when towing, and ensure you are as safe as possible when towing.