I relocated the plugs for the trailer lights. Thank god!

[Dadstoy]

Trailer pulling people check this out! Relocated the plugs for the trailer lights

On your hands and knees to plug in your trailer? That got old quick for me. I think I understand why Toyota put the trailer plugs were they did. Would it be so it does not get ripped off when your off road? Other then that, it sucks!

What I did was make up a relocating bracket that bolts to the two bolts that hold the hitch on.

I added a 1 1/2 foot of wire to the plug. So it would mount under the hitch.

The back of the plug is close to the spair tire. You can still lower the tire just have to push the tire away from the plug.

Also if you wanted to go off road, just unplug it and remove the two bolts. That's it!

Now plugging in the trailer is sweet!

 

[SigSense]

This is the second I've seen here, and a very clean install.

 

[pinoy227]

Awesome job!! I'm pretty sure you can market this..I would be willing to buy one..hint..hint!! :wink2:

 

[Jtraskell]

Great job Dadstoy. I did something similar but your solution is much cleaner and I really like the location of the mount. Any chance you are willing to build another bracket. If so please PM me we can discuss terms. Since I have already spliced the wires with 1 extra foot of wire, I think I have enough slack to remount the bracket like you did. Your thoughts on that? Also, were you able to use the same OEM retaining clips found on the back of the receptacle? Any help would be great. My mod can be found in the thread listed here. Thanks in advance.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/61869-towing-hitch-electrical-connection.html

 

[Dadstoy]

I saw what you did and I liked it. So I sat down with the ruler and started trying to see what I could do. After a few mock ups and 5 lbs of aluminium. Lolol. That is what I came up with. Yes the clips worked just fine for the plug. I think that the foot of wire you added will work. It did turn out good. I'm very happy with it. Every time I hooked up the boat there I am on my hands and knees trying to plug it in. Not no more! I will PM you about making you one.

 

[Jtraskell]

I saw what you did and I liked it. So I sat down with the ruler and started trying to see what I could do. After a few mock ups and 5 lbs of aluminium. Lolol. That is what I came up with. Yes the clips worked just fine for the plug. I think that the foot of wire you added will work. It did turn out good. I'm very happy with it. Every time I hooked up the boat there I am on my hands and knees trying to plug it in. Not no more! I will PM you about making you one.

Thanks so much. I will be awating your PM.

 

[azn-sensation]

nice work! +1 on the marketing, I'm sure some of us would be willing to purchase it.

 

[ltdrose]

nice work I just noticed the plug was under the truck yesterday not sure what they were thinking there. Package that with a V8 mod. and you could make a killing.

 

[Dadstoy]

Well I just made a bracket for Jtraskell. I will be shipping it to him Monday. We will hear what he has to say about it once he gets it. If all is good, I can make them for anyone who wants one. Jtraskell and I talked about a price, I told him it should cost 5 bucks to ship it (USPS) also I have 10 bucks in material. So we came up with 35 bucks shipped to your door. I think its a fair price.

We will see what he thinks about the bracket. I told him to wait to send the money until he gets it. Like I said he is the first potential buyer. I think he should have it by Wednesday. So stay tuned.

 

[Dadstoy]

Well I just shipped off a bracket to FL. It did not fit in the 5 dollar if it fits it ships box. So with that being said shipping will cost 8 dollars. The total to your door not painted will be 38 dollars.

 

[kingpin748]

I gotta say I think you guys are overreacting to the difficultly of that plug location. But that is a great looking mod. Very clean, very nice work.

 

[phillyd2]

I gotta saw I think you guys are overreacting to the difficultly of that plug location.

I think it more depends on how much they use it. I tow a trailer once in a blue moon so its no biggie. If I had a boat or camper that I needed to hook up weekly then it would be no overreacting. It really is in a PITA location / angle.

 

[Dadstoy]

Thank you. Your funny! I hope your joking about the location of the plug. Lolol. I pull a trailer quite often, its a pain in the ass to plug in. Plugging in the trailer lights should not require getting on your hands and knees, crawling under to plug them in. Hooking up in the rain now your screwed! Unless your plastic man and your arm stretches under the truck to plug them in. My wife's 2011 Highlander has the plug right by the hitch. Like I said before think I understand why Toyota put it there, so it would not get ripped off going off road.
Glad you liked the bracket.
Thanks!

 

[Jerrydog]

It never occured to me to move the trailer plug as its an easy squat down, reach under flip and plug. I think the install you did looks great but don't see a need for it like some others said here.

 

[harper7]

It's a great idea and back/knee saver mod as long as people remember that this will be your new low point in the back.As stated you could just unbolt it for offroading or stay on the easy trails.

The bottom of my hitch receiver is all scraped up on the bottom from offroading as this determines your departure angle ,that is unless you have the chrome exhaust tip extension sticking out.

I thought about taking the hitch receiver off to gain another degree or two of departure angle but then I was afraid I'd rip my rear bumper cover off so I left it on.

 

[Johnny Utah]

It's a great idea and back/knee saver mod as long as people remember that this will be your new low point in the back.As stated you could just unbolt it for offroading or stay on the easy trails.

The bottom of my hitch receiver is all scraped up on the bottom from offroading as this determines your departure angle ,that is unless you have the chrome exhaust tip extension sticking out.

I thought about taking the hitch receiver off to gain another degree or two of departure angle but then I was afraid I'd rip my rear bumper cover off so I left it on.

i was thinking that same thing too, but, i'm glad you mentioned it

 

[reds10]

i'm extending my harness right now!

I'll be installing my bracket in a different spot where it's not any lower than the receiver... i hope.

I've just got to make sure i can remove my pin and lock.

 

[Dadstoy]

i'm extending my harness right now!

I'll be installing my bracket in a different spot where it's not any lower than the receiver... i hope.

I've just got to make sure i can remove my pin and lock.

Cool! Could you post some pictures when your done? I would like to see where you install it.

 

[Jtraskell]

Just a note to all who may be interested in getting a bracket from Dadstoy. It arrived at my home today as promised. Thanks Dadstoy. It looks great. I think a bit better then your photoed one above! Thanks again.

 

[dekeman]

It never occured to me to move the trailer plug as its an easy squat down, reach under flip and plug. I think the install you did looks great but don't see a need for it like some others said here.

Try doing it in the dark. Or in soggy grass etc. Factory location makes sense to keep a higher departure angle, but not for regular weekend use. Seems like best plug mod so far for those hauling boats, utility trailers on regular basis, less so for those conquering the Earth like Harper, but then this can be detached too...