Hitch wiring question - 4 pin

[Schwartb01]

I've installed and wired an almost identical aftermarket hitch to a previous Jeep. Trailer lights functioned off of taillight tie-ins. I ran the power wire through vehicle and firewall, as instructed, to battery. I am thinking this 12v lead is not necessary and only functions to power a battery on a trailer that may have electric brakes. Anyone know of any other purpose for the 12v lead to battery or can it be left off? I read in ONE place that some taillight setups can't handle the amps of the trailer lights being tied into the vehicle taillights but that doesn't seem right. Any advice is appreciated.

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[dgorsett]

IDK about your Jeep set up, but with the Bronco the 12v lead is needed because the factory taillights will sense the extra load and will not like it. Other folks here can explain the why of it.

 

[Schwartb01]

IDK about your Jeep set up, but with the Bronco the 12v lead is needed because the factory taillights will sense the extra load and will not like it. Other folks here can explain the shy of it.

Thanks! Yes, I read that and with LED's I know things are sensitive to what loads they see.

 

[Schwartb01]

Follow up. Anyone have insight on how they wired to 12v. Last time I removed interior panels from rear all the way to front and through firewall. Anyone route under vehicle? TIA.

 

[dgorsett]

I ran mine in plastic loom along the outside of the left frame rail above a factory wire loom. I ran mine with a four wire I needed for taillights when used behind my RV.

 

[guzie]

Follow up. Anyone have insight on how they wired to 12v. Last time I removed interior panels from rear all the way to front and through firewall. Anyone route under vehicle? TIA.

Here are the instructions for wiring the ford 4 pin kit.

 

[AZSky]

I ran mine in plastic loom along the outside of the left frame rail above a factory wire loom. I ran mine with a four wire I needed for taillights when used behind my RV.

Can you explain the detail ?
I have the Curt hitch installed and their 4 wire adapter waiting for install, procrastinating..
I have a trailer with electric brakes coming, so would need to do everything correctly in one step :-0

 

[Schwartb01]

Here are the instructions for wiring the ford 4 pin kit.

Perfect. Thanks for the link.

 

[dgorsett]

Can you explain the detail ?
I have the Curt hitch installed and their 4 wire adapter waiting for install, procrastinating..
I have a trailer with electric brakes coming, so would need to do everything correctly in one step :-0

You will need a seven pin set up, or the Curt plus a custom or homemade 3 pin. I only have experience with the plug and play Curt 4. I'm sure others here can help.

 

[BudgetBronco]

Follow up. Anyone have insight on how they wired to 12v. Last time I removed interior panels from rear all the way to front and through firewall. Anyone route under vehicle? TIA.

Yes, I also routed on the outside following along the wire bundle that runs along the left side frame rail. See video linked here for full installation process. The 12V routing starts at 13:00. Let me know if any questions.

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