Parts Needed to Add a 7-Way and Trailer Brake Controller to a 2012 Honda Pilot

Question:

I ordered the 7-blade wiring harness for my 2012 Pilot, part #118265, but I think it does not include what I need for trailer brakes? The Pilot did not come with a tow package. I am towing a tandem axle boat trailer with brakes. Will they work?

asked by: Ed

Expert Reply:

If you are towing a trailer that has electric brakes, you will need to add a 7-Way wiring harness # 118265. But this is not everything you will need to activate the trailer brakes. You will also need a brake controller. It is possible that your Pilot has a port to plug in a brake controller using harness # 3070-P. I have included a picture that shows where this plug is located on the vehicles that have it.

If your vehicle does have this plug under the dash and you can use # 3070-P then I recommend the Tekonsha P2, # 90885. It is a reliable controller that is easy to use and easy to set up.

If the plug is not present then you will need to hardwire in the controller by attaching the white wire to the negative battery terminal, the black wire to the positive battery terminal via a 20 amp circuit breaker # PK54520 using installation kit # 5506. The red wire attaches to the cold side of the brake switch. I have linked an FAQ article that will help with that. You will also need a circuit tester like # PTW2979 to find the correct brake switch wire.

Finally, you will need to use some of the wire in the 5506 kit to connect the blue brake controller wire to the back of the 7-Way in the 7:00 position.

A boat trailer with electric brakes is not unheard of but hydraulic brakes are a much better option and you may want to consider them for the future.