External Brake Controller on RX Hybrid
06-27-16, 12:40 PM
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External Brake Controller on RX Hybrid
Just got such a good answer from etrailer.com about if you can/should add an external brake controller to an rx400h:
Question:
Ive read conflicting information on placing an external brake controller on a 2008 Lexus rx400h awd suv. Even on the site here, Ive read conflicting arguments answers from the staff. Once and for all, can one safely convert the four pole hitch connector to seven poles and control a trailers brakes with a brake controller? Is the car able to provide the current needed for tail lights, turn signals and brakes as this answer suggests? https://www.etrailer.com/question-87828.html Or are hybrid systems too fragile to add such a control into the mix as this answer seems to suggest? https://www.etrailer.com/question-151100.html Appreciate the help!
Reply:
In the Q&A you refer to, we were explaining why there wasn't a plug and play non-powered taillight converter for your vehicle. You CAN install a trailer connector, as long as you use a powered converter which draws the power for illuminating the trailer lights directly from the vehicle battery rather than directly through the vehicle's taillight circuits which might not have the capacity for both the vehicle and the trailer taillights.
In older vehicles, car manufacturers used higher gauge wire for the lighting circuits. As copper got more expensive, they began using thinner gauge wire as a cost savings. This still works fine for the vehicle lamps, but now there's no longer excess capacity for trailer lights. This is why most newer vehicles use a powered converter.
There is no reason why you can't install a brake controller and tow a trailer that's equipped with trailer brakes. You'll want to abide by the towing capacity of the vehicle which is 2000 lbs or 3500 lbs if equipped with the tow package.
Once the Curt # 56146KIT powered taillight converter is installed, you can use our Brake Controller Install Kit # ETBC7 to install a brake controller. For an easy to use and reliable brake controller you can't go wrong with the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885.
I've linked you to the instructions for the ETBC7 kit, as well as to some helpful FAQ articles about brake controllers and their installation.
Link to the answer on etrailer: http://www.etrailer.com/question-170603.html
Question:
Ive read conflicting information on placing an external brake controller on a 2008 Lexus rx400h awd suv. Even on the site here, Ive read conflicting arguments answers from the staff. Once and for all, can one safely convert the four pole hitch connector to seven poles and control a trailers brakes with a brake controller? Is the car able to provide the current needed for tail lights, turn signals and brakes as this answer suggests? https://www.etrailer.com/question-87828.html Or are hybrid systems too fragile to add such a control into the mix as this answer seems to suggest? https://www.etrailer.com/question-151100.html Appreciate the help!
Reply:
In the Q&A you refer to, we were explaining why there wasn't a plug and play non-powered taillight converter for your vehicle. You CAN install a trailer connector, as long as you use a powered converter which draws the power for illuminating the trailer lights directly from the vehicle battery rather than directly through the vehicle's taillight circuits which might not have the capacity for both the vehicle and the trailer taillights.
In older vehicles, car manufacturers used higher gauge wire for the lighting circuits. As copper got more expensive, they began using thinner gauge wire as a cost savings. This still works fine for the vehicle lamps, but now there's no longer excess capacity for trailer lights. This is why most newer vehicles use a powered converter.
There is no reason why you can't install a brake controller and tow a trailer that's equipped with trailer brakes. You'll want to abide by the towing capacity of the vehicle which is 2000 lbs or 3500 lbs if equipped with the tow package.
Once the Curt # 56146KIT powered taillight converter is installed, you can use our Brake Controller Install Kit # ETBC7 to install a brake controller. For an easy to use and reliable brake controller you can't go wrong with the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885.
I've linked you to the instructions for the ETBC7 kit, as well as to some helpful FAQ articles about brake controllers and their installation.
Link to the answer on etrailer: http://www.etrailer.com/question-170603.html
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