Towed Taillight Wiring

soren wrote:
I spent three years dealing with the poor performance and constant problems with hard wired lighting in my 2013 CRV. The added lamps in the tail-lights were a joke, and the six pin receptacle was a Chinese POS, that I replaced repeatedly. When the CRV was replaced by a slightly newer one, I went to wireless LED tail-lights. Best move I ever made. I will never hardwire another toad again, and in the OP's case, I can't imagine wasting the time and money to hardwire TWO towed cars, when you can end up with a better solution, with no labor and no questionable modifications to OEM wiring, for less than $100. I use the "Blazer" brand from Amazon.

When it comes to "modules" to make hardwiring a plug and play adventure, there is something you might want to keep in mind. A buddy of mine is a really top notch independent mechanic, who works on anything under CDL weight, that rolls into his shop. When he gets a vehicle in for strange tail-light or general lighting issues,he always check for a hitch, and factory four or seven way wiring. If he finds aftermarket wiring, he searches for the aftermarket plug and play module, and remove it. In most cases, the problem is resolved. When I wired my first CRV, he strongly suggested running a totally isolated system, and avoiding the factory wiring, due to failures of aftermarket parts spliced into OEM harnesses.

Good point Sorin. I didn't think about wireless. That might be the best idea yet. Thanks for your input.

I spent three years dealing with the poor performance and constant problems with hard wired lighting in my 2013 CRV. The added lamps in the tail-lights were a joke, and the six pin receptacle was a Chinese POS, that I replaced repeatedly. When the CRV was replaced by a slightly newer one, I went to wireless LED tail-lights. Best move I ever made. I will never hardwire another toad again, and in the OP's case, I can't imagine wasting the time and money to hardwire TWO towed cars, when you can end up with a better solution, with no labor and no questionable modifications to OEM wiring, for less than $100. I use the "Blazer" brand from Amazon.

When it comes to "modules" to make hardwiring a plug and play adventure, there is something you might want to keep in mind. A buddy of mine is a really top notch independent mechanic, who works on anything under CDL weight, that rolls into his shop. When he gets a vehicle in for strange tail-light or general lighting issues,he always check for a hitch, and factory four or seven way wiring. If he finds aftermarket wiring, he searches for the aftermarket plug and play module, and remove it. In most cases, the problem is resolved. When I wired my first CRV, he strongly suggested running a totally isolated system, and avoiding the factory wiring, due to failures of aftermarket parts spliced into OEM harnesses.

discovery4us wrote:
Demco PN 9523116 = 2011 Ford fiesta

This looks like exactly what I need. Thanks Discovery!

Thanks again for the advice. I was just kind of throwing the topic out there to get some ideas. I know there are other forums on here that may be better suited for the topic. I was curious how many truck camper folks have dealt with the light issue on a towed. I typically haul my Jeep around on a trailer. However, it would be nice to not have to deal with a trailer when I am just camping down at the beach and not really risking breaking something on the Jeep. I've towed the car once and used a car dolly. The car is lighter and easier to tow so I figured I could start taking it instead of the Jeep when I out on a non-offroad trip.

deltabravo wrote:
You might get better information about this subject in the motorhome section.

Or better yet, the DINGHY TOWING section here

With newer vehicles operating on a CANBUS system, it's going to be very difficult to cobble something together with wire and diodes and the like.

You might get better information about this subject in the motorhome section.

stumper92 wrote:

mkirsch wrote:
If your "application" wasn't such a secret, maybe someone could give you some insight that would help.

No secret... 2011 Ford Fiesta. Also would like to setup my 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Although with the Cherokee I thought about just making an adapter that fits in the receiver with lights mounted on it. Then I could run the wire under the Jeep with a plug at each end for connecting to the tow rig at one end and the lights at the other.

the kits come with all the wiring you need, the correct connectors, even the pig tail for the front of the toed. I can't build them for the price they charge for the kit does not require cut wires or crimps into wire harness. Long term best solution.

Demco PN 9523116 = 2011 Ford fiesta

mkirsch wrote:
If your "application" wasn't such a secret, maybe someone could give you some insight that would help.

No secret... 2011 Ford Fiesta. Also would like to setup my 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Although with the Cherokee I thought about just making an adapter that fits in the receiver with lights mounted on it. Then I could run the wire under the Jeep with a plug at each end for connecting to the tow rig at one end and the lights at the other.

I bought a kit for my liberty. Connected to factory harness connectors. My truck had common brake/turn, but my Jeep has separate brake/turn. It Works great