How to tow a modern trailer with brake controler on my old 4Runner

I've been wanting to try towing a trailer with my old 4Runner, and have been eying some on Outdoorsy.com but they all seem to require a 7-pin connector with a brake controller.  My 4-Runner has an old style 4-Pin connector, which I installed myself to replace the stock one years ago.  I'm now trying to figure out if there is an adapter I can use with the 4-pin, that also drives a brake controller with a 7-pin connector?  Or do I really just need to update the whole controller and add a brake controller to that?  Have also seen some BlueTooth Brake controllers, but i'm having a hard time understanding how that would work as well.  Help appreciated!

All the adapters I have seen will work from a 7 pin tow vehicle to a 4 pin trailer. I don't think they make one to go the other way. With that said, you can still tow with brakes on your Toy. All you need to do is put a 7 pin on your Toyota to run the wires from the converter you use to the new plug and run the wire from the controller to the 7 pin also. Or split the wires you have now and add the 7 pin + controller wire and have both. Hope I did not confuse you. IF you were closer I could hook it up pretty fast.

This might sound overly simplistic but I've done 2 without issue. Buy a good addon brake controller and closely follow the directions, mine were pretty clear. Buy a 7 pin female receptacle for your vehicle and follow the wiring diagram that comes with it, should be really clear as to which wire goes where. On my newer truck I have a combo plug that has both a 7 pin and a 4 pin receptacle for versatility. Never installed on of those but might be worth a look.

I've installed a few of them on a variety of vehicles.
I prefer the Prodigy P2, you can get them from eTrailer among others, along with a wiring kit specific for your vehicle.  The P2 has has a really excellent brake controller that enables smooth braking, and also different settings depending on the weight of trailer vs tow vehicle.

When I installed one on two different Toyota Sienna (2004 and 2011) I installed the full kit which includes the power to the 7 pin connector.  It doesn't add much time.  Some vehicles are pre-wired for towing, which make install easier - but from what you described, it sounds like your 4-runner was not prewired.  If prewired there is a harness behind the dash, and you simply need an adapter to hook up your brake controller.

It was pre-wired, but it had shorted out so I had to replace it when I got it like 14 years ago now.  I dont really remember how it was wired, just that the controller I replaced it with as somewhere in the back left near the left taillight.  I did call Rack N Road, and for 650$ they said they can do it, and install a BT brake controller by Echo?  Need to look that up and try and understand how a phone can be a brake controller 

It was pre-wired, but it had shorted out so I had to replace it when I got it like 14 years ago now.  I dont really remember how it was wired, just that the controller I replaced it with as somewhere in the back left near the left taillight.  I did call Rack N Road, and for 650$ they said they can do it, and install a BT brake controller by Echo?  Need to look that up and try and understand how a phone can be a brake controller 

if you're even moderately handy, you could do the job yourself for $200 and end up with a better controller.  It's really just running wires
1. from battery
2. attaching the unit under the dash (simple)
3. splicing into break wires or adding a seperate brake sensor (comes with the kit, easy)
4. running the bundle of wires to the back of the truck, zip tie along the way
5. attach the combo 7 wire and 4 wire connector on the back of rig
6. crack open a beer

job takes anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on ease of access and comfort level

all the brake controllers I've seen and installed are in the dash or under the dash

good luck

fyi, Uhaul will also do the job, but the controller they use is very simple - and results in 'jerky' braking

I"ve got a bluetooth 7 pin that i use on the highlander.  You simply need to run a power cable from battery to the where your 4 pin is, then plug to a 7 pin female adapter, which is super easy with an adapter.
The bluetooth dongle then plugs into that.
An app controls the braking force, etc (just like if you hardwired it).
Works like a frickin charm to tow my boat.


bluetooth controller - https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html
7 pin adapter- https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/C57672.html

Need to look that up and try and understand how a phone can be a brake controller 
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If ur phone is like, it’s pretty damn smart!

I"ve got a bluetooth 7 pin that i use on the highlander.  You simply need to run a power cable from battery to the where your 4 pin is, then plug to a 7 pin female adapter, which is super easy with an adapter.
The bluetooth dongle then plugs into that.
An app controls the braking force, etc (just like if you hardwired it).
Works like a frickin charm to tow my boat.


bluetooth controller - https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html
7 pin adapter- https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/C57672.html

how long have you had the bluetooth adapter on your highlander?  that sounds like a cool option for vehicles without a factory hitch/trailer brake set up.

I"ve got a bluetooth 7 pin that i use on the highlander.  You simply need to run a power cable from battery to the where your 4 pin is, then plug to a 7 pin female adapter, which is super easy with an adapter.
The bluetooth dongle then plugs into that.
An app controls the braking force, etc (just like if you hardwired it).
Works like a frickin charm to tow my boat.


bluetooth controller - https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html
7 pin adapter- https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/C57672.html

how long have you had the bluetooth adapter on your highlander?  that sounds like a cool option for vehicles without a factory hitch/trailer brake set up.

Probably three years, since I got my 20 foot cc. App on the phone is only used to set the braking force on set up, so if it loses connection you are still covered. I kept the dongle even though I mostly tow with my tacoma now, where I installed a wired controller (factory tow package just needs a controller, totally plug and play), as it is useful when borrowing or renting

I"ve got a bluetooth 7 pin that i use on the highlander.  You simply need to run a power cable from battery to the where your 4 pin is, then plug to a 7 pin female adapter, which is super easy with an adapter.
The bluetooth dongle then plugs into that.
An app controls the braking force, etc (just like if you hardwired it).
Works like a frickin charm to tow my boat.


bluetooth controller - https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Curt/C51180.html
7 pin adapter- https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Curt/C57672.html

This sounds quite easy, thank you for the info!

no problem.

you are welcome to try the dongle once you get the 7 pin adapter installed