Jayrox

Can anyone with the shop manual lend me a hand?

I've got a Reese wiring adapter for wiring up a trailer (can post the part number if you are interested). Yes, I am fully aware that the manual says you are not supposed to pull a trailer see this link to get an idea of what I am proposing to pull. http://www.trailmasterinc.com/cargo/backpack.html
I sincerely doubt this will tax our transmission overly much.

Anyway, the kit is one that splices into existing wiring, (no cutting necessary) however, it's not immediately obvious which wires I need to splice into. I need ground, brake and signal light wires.

On a side note, does anyone know of a way to get the wires through the body near the back? Is there any holes there I might be able to get access to. I took a quick peek and again, nothing obvious stuck out. I'd rather not have to hang the connector out of the hatch but if I do, c'est la vie.

Thanks in advance.

a223818

I just did mine. There is no easy way. You need to pull off the panel at the back and grab a wire tester and start checking for each one, brake, running light, turn signals by having each one on.

Once you locate each one then connect it to the reese harness. Once you get it hooked up then verify by attaching the trailer and check it all out.

As to the other issue, I like to keep the harness inside when not in use.

HTH

Jayrox

Hey a223818,

Man, I wish we could have talked before either of us did this...

I found it to be a fairly easy job to tell the truth. I will have some pictures to show what I am about to explain but I haven't downloaded them from my camera yet.

As it turned out, I did not need to have the wiring go into the car at all. The Reese kit included wiring splicers of varying types. The ones I used were the kind that clamp onto existing wiring, no cutting necessary. The Plug for the wiring harness off the trailer is zip-tied to the hitch so it's tucked nicely out of sight.

The wiring for the adapter ended up getting fed under my bumper to some spaces between the bumper and the car underneath the tail light housing. Upon removal of the tail light housing I had everything I needed there: ground, brake lights, and left signal. I had to run the other wires to the other tail light but it was the same procedure: right signal and tail lights. I have the wires zip tied to the hitch as they feed to the appropriate tail light housing. I even tucked the extra wire up in the housing.

It couldn't have been easier. The trailer lights work great, no problem whatsoever. Now I just have to paint the trailer to match the car and find a spot to apply a smaller version of the decal that is on our hood...

The nice thing about the connector is that it has a cover for the the end so it won't get corroded or gummed up with road crap. Nice job Reese!

Jayrox

I thought I would add a second part to this story. It is related but doesn't have to do with Electronics so it may get moved.

We purchased the trailer (bed) from Canadian Tire. As this is my first trailer I was unaware of what I needed. I did know that I had to have the trailer licenced in order to pull it on the road. So we headed down to our local registry office and attempted to do this. They asked us for the VIN and the bill of sale for the trailer. We had neither, just the receipt which was not good enough.

Apparently registry offices have been having a hard time with Canadian Tire stores not issuing a bill of sale with the VIN written on it. Anyway, we went and got the VIN, took a bill of sale that the registry office was kind enough to provide and got the manager that was working at the store that evening to sign off on it.

It was *** backwards and we could have written just about anything for the VIN. Lesson learned, ask for a bill of sale before you leave the store. They will have to get the VIN off the trailer.

The registry office issued our plate without a problem after that.

Jayrox

For anyone who is interested in my wiring job among other things check out:

http://www.digitaldemesne.net/protege/

a223818

Jayrox

It is easier to remove the panel than the rear light assembly but heh, whatever works.

I like to keep it inside as I do not use the trailer much and did not want to get the connector full of dirt.

My kit was from hidden hitch and was much the same. Clip on connectors.

Jayrox

Hey Bruce,

To-may-to. to-mat-o whatever works eh?

What did you think of my pics?

I've been trying to photographically document everything I've done to help other folks out.

Jay

a223818

Not bad. I am doing the same thing. I got my trailer below.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2575

Going to add a Sears 20 cu ft box to it for trips. Same idea as yours. I will post a pic when I get it done.

demoninvictus

i appologize for breaking the mood, but thats a perfect seating arrangement for a mother inlaw.
peace

a223818

But there might be a weight limit,

XtrmLzNC

WHere and how much was the hitch? Im thinking about getting me one since with all my stereo, i have NO HATCH room left! LOL It will make it great for shows.

a223818

XtrmLzNC

I got mine from Hidden Hitch as well as the wiring harness. I bought it from http://www.hitchmart.com/.

The part # is 60948. It is specific for the P5.