Trailer Hitch Wiring?
#1
Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I may need to tow a U-Haul motorcycle trailer with the FEH soon. Already have the Valley 2" hitch but I need the trailer wiring. Researched all the threads here and it looks like this is the kit to get: http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...eid=2007303097
The local hitch shop wants $200 parts and labor to install.
Just wondering how difficult this install would be as a DIY without a way to lift the vehicle? Thanks for any info.
The local hitch shop wants $200 parts and labor to install.
Just wondering how difficult this install would be as a DIY without a way to lift the vehicle? Thanks for any info.
Last edited by econoline; 02-22-2011 at 04:22 PM.
#2
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
Hardest part is stringing a wire from the battery to the rear of the vehicle. I just drove my FEH onto a couple of 2x6s and slid underneath to route the wire. I used some flexible sheathing and wire ties to suspend it. Total job took me an hour or so.
#3
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
Thanks, good to know. I was thinking of using these wire clips for the long run to the battery: http://www.etrailer.com/p-464600.html
Do you happen to know if the FEH tail lights are operational without the wire being run to the 12v battery? I'm assuming that the 12v connection is only to power the trailer lights and would not be necessary for normal operation of the vehicle lights.
Do you happen to know if the FEH tail lights are operational without the wire being run to the 12v battery? I'm assuming that the 12v connection is only to power the trailer lights and would not be necessary for normal operation of the vehicle lights.
#4
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
Thanks, good to know. I was thinking of using these wire clips for the long run to the battery: http://www.etrailer.com/p-464600.html
Do you happen to know if the FEH tail lights are operational without the wire being run to the 12v battery? I'm assuming that the 12v connection is only to power the trailer lights and would not be necessary for normal operation of the vehicle lights.
Do you happen to know if the FEH tail lights are operational without the wire being run to the 12v battery? I'm assuming that the 12v connection is only to power the trailer lights and would not be necessary for normal operation of the vehicle lights.
Some here have reported just tapping into the FEH wiring and powering the trailer lights off the same circuit, but I have not tried this.
#5
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I may need to tow a U-Haul motorcycle trailer with the FEH soon. Already have the Valley 2" hitch but I need the trailer wiring. Researched all the threads here and it looks like this is the kit to get: http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...eid=2007303097
The local hitch shop wants $200 parts and labor to install.
Just wondering how difficult this install would be as a DIY without a way to lift the vehicle? Thanks for any info.
The local hitch shop wants $200 parts and labor to install.
Just wondering how difficult this install would be as a DIY without a way to lift the vehicle? Thanks for any info.
#6
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I bought a trailer wiring harness from Amazon.com and did it myself. This took all of about 15 minutes! You simply unplug the tail lights and plug in the trailer wiring harness to the tail lights. Then you plug the tail light wires into the trailer harness. Nothing could be more simple. A couple of plastic wire ties to hold the harness to the vehicle completes the job. No tools necessary.
#7
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I have a trailer with 14 incandescent marker lights.
I used the tap & splice method on my 2005 FEH and it has worked fine for 2 years and ~12,000 miles of towing.
If your trailer uses LED lights, I recommend for sure DIY tap & splice and not pay good money for something you don't really need. LED's take a fraction of the power of incandescent bulbs.
Once in a blue moon I get an error message on the dash to "check turn signal" or something like that, but I just hit the set button to reset the message and keep driving, and my bulbs all keep working. NEVER blown a fuse in all those miles.
You need to get creative if your trailer has 2 wire / 2 bulb stop & turn signals.
The FEH 2005 has 3 wire / 3 bulb rear lights.
Most trailers use the red stop light also for the turn signal.
The FEH has a separate amber light for turning.
I used the tap & splice with a 99 cent diode between the amber & red stop bulb wire, and it works fine. (I put both the amber bulb wire, and the red stop bulb wire to the single red trailer light. ) Make sure you get high power diodes. Your local Radio Shack has them in stock.
This is very cheap, but if you are confused, buy a commercial product.
I used the tap & splice method on my 2005 FEH and it has worked fine for 2 years and ~12,000 miles of towing.
If your trailer uses LED lights, I recommend for sure DIY tap & splice and not pay good money for something you don't really need. LED's take a fraction of the power of incandescent bulbs.
Once in a blue moon I get an error message on the dash to "check turn signal" or something like that, but I just hit the set button to reset the message and keep driving, and my bulbs all keep working. NEVER blown a fuse in all those miles.
You need to get creative if your trailer has 2 wire / 2 bulb stop & turn signals.
The FEH 2005 has 3 wire / 3 bulb rear lights.
Most trailers use the red stop light also for the turn signal.
The FEH has a separate amber light for turning.
I used the tap & splice with a 99 cent diode between the amber & red stop bulb wire, and it works fine. (I put both the amber bulb wire, and the red stop bulb wire to the single red trailer light. ) Make sure you get high power diodes. Your local Radio Shack has them in stock.
This is very cheap, but if you are confused, buy a commercial product.
Last edited by gpsman1; 03-07-2011 at 12:16 PM.
#8
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I don't have my own trailer and will be renting from U-Haul. Not knowing how the rental trailer will be wired, it seems safer for me to go with the battery powered wiring kit from E-Trailer.
#9
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
U-Haul uses a standard "flat 4" connector. Just 4 wires for their trailers.
You can find these connectors at any store with auto parts.
1) Ground
2) marker / tail lamps
3) Left signal
4) Right signal
About as simple as they come.
If you don't buy anything, and this is a one time event, U-haul will offer to crimp into your taillamps with "vampire" crimps, and use "bullet" connectors... for free when I did it several years ago.
Fine for a one time use.
You can find these connectors at any store with auto parts.
1) Ground
2) marker / tail lamps
3) Left signal
4) Right signal
About as simple as they come.
If you don't buy anything, and this is a one time event, U-haul will offer to crimp into your taillamps with "vampire" crimps, and use "bullet" connectors... for free when I did it several years ago.
Fine for a one time use.
#10
Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring?
I did inquire about that approach, but the U-Haul guy consulted a manual and determined that the Escape required the wiring kit that connects to the 12v battery. I'm going to ask again since this is really just a one time towing event. Thanks John.