Trailer Wiring Package Problems

[heinz57]

Have a '99 with the factory trailer towing package - actually, a third package as the original and the first replacements were bad from Toyota.

The current one had worked for the last 5 years, but now if I use either turn signal, both turn lights blink on the trailer (either of my trailers).

Toyota says that they don't sell the box alone anymore, but that I'll have to replace the wiring harness as well - yikes!

Anyone shed any light on what's up with this?

Is there a 3rd party box that works?

Anything else?

 

[SKO450ES]

Had the same thing happen to me last year. It was the crappy little module and the stealer does not carry it any more for a 96. I went to crappy tire and ordered up a reese unit for like 45 CND and installed it in like 30 min.

 

[heinz57]

For SKO450ES:

These guys? - http://www.reese-hitches.com

Know if it was:
R74204 Regular Duty Power Module $41.39

R85265 Reg. Duty Module w/Circuit Protector $29.97

R74203 Heavy Duty Power Module $62.25

Thanks,

Steve

 

[SKO450ES]

I'm not sure, where did you get the P/N? The one I puchased was similar to toe OEM it was plug and play and the module was as big as a deck of cards.

 

[heinz57]

The P/N is at: http://www.reese-hitches.com/elec_circuit.html

Photos too...

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[SKO450ES]

It looks like R85265 Reg. Duty Module w/Circuit Protector $29.97 , mine also came with the four prong conectorwich this one seems to also. The only difference that I remember was the OEM one was on the driver side rear panel and the reese hooked up on the passenger side rear panel.

 

[heinz57]

It looks like R85265 Reg. Duty Module w/Circuit Protector wires directly off the battery (see link). How hard was that?

Steve

http://www.reese-hitches.com/images/elec_chart2.gif

 

[heinz57]

Just to close the loop - R85265 Reg. Duty Module w/Circuit Protector does come with the connection to the battery. The company messed up when I asked the question, so I got to send the extra one they sent and charged me for back to them at their own expense.

The kit was easy to install and works great. The battery wire took a little study. I was able to connect the in-line fuze right to a bracket on the under hood fuze box. I punched a small hole through the firewall boot that seems to make a tight seal where it goes through. From there it was under the plastic trims over the rocker panels and back to where the factory box was. An easy pull.

The Toyota wiring is very small diameter, but 18 - 22 butt connectors (the kind you crimp) worked fine.

Thanks SKO450ES for the good advise. It makes no sense for Toyota to want to replace the wiring harness for a bad trailer connection box.

Steve in Maine

 

[hossmaster]

I got my trailer wiring done at UHaul when I got my class III reciever. Hasn't had a problem in over 6 years. NO crazy black box module in the cab, just the blinker converter and thats it.

 

[heinz57]

I guess the bottom line is that anything is better than what Toyota sells you.

That was the 3rd of their boxes I'd replaced. The first was bad when I bought the vehicle new, and so was the replacement. The last of theirs went for 6 years.

Steve