Electronic brake controller hookup for towing?

[IceDiver]

Has anyone used an electronic brake controller with a Tiguan?

I bought a 2011 US Tiguan AWD SE. Came with the trailer hitch, but I swapped it for an etrailer.com class 3 hitch so I didn't have to deal with separate receiver sizes as the other vehicle is a 4runner.

Bought the 7 wire "RV" plug today from the dealer which connects to the trailer wiring harness that is tucked up under the rear bumper. They say I can just attach and detach it as needed since my replacement hitch doesn't have the side plate the factory model came with for mounting the 7 wire plug receptacle into. Not that big a deal for how often I'll tow.

Asked where I connect my electronic brake controller and was told that wasn't an option - VW doesn't make any parts or even offer any kind of harness to hook that up in the Tiguan.

True?

I'm not towing a lot (2000 lb), but why sacrifice safety if I have all of this with a 7 wire RV hook up? My Toyota 4Runner had a wiring harness all set by the driver foot well - just plug in the harness and done.

Ironically in my 4Runner I don't really need the brake controller - it can tow 7300 lbs. But my Tiguan is where I figured it would come in handy in the rare times the 4Runner is unavailable.

[shawng]

The dealer is correct, no facility for one, but that said, I don't think the trailer module uses all the contacts on the 7 pin plug and the one usually designated for the controller is unused. So in theory, you could wire it up yourself. Not the most fun, but possible. Another option is a wireless controller. I saw them advertised on some of the trailer parts websites. There is a module in the cabin that sends a signal to another module you attach to the trailer. All you have to provide to each module is 12V.

[IceDiver]

Well that stinks. How much could a couple of wires cost to engineer and sell as an extra harness? I just assumed it would be some $300 option of course, but at least available.

The dealer is correct, no facility for one, but that said, I don't think the trailer module uses all the contacts on the 7 pin plug and the one usually designated for the controller is unused. So in theory, you could wire it up yourself. Not the most fun, but possible. Another option is a wireless controller. I saw them advertised on some of the trailer parts websites. There is a module in the cabin that sends a signal to another module you attach to the trailer. All you have to provide to each module is 12V.

[shawng]

I totally agree, but here is the reasoning others have concluded. In NA market, the towing capacity is only about 2200 lbs, so no real need for electric brakes. In Europe the towing capacity is almost double, but over there, they mostly use surge or inertia activated brakes that are self contained on the trailer. I have a 16' car trailer with electric brakes and would love to move it around with the Tig.