Trailer Wiring... where is the harness hookup?

[classic72]

I am in the market for an expedition trailer whether I do a build or buy one. I went outside today to look at my hitch and all looks good... but I can't find the wiring harness for the lights!?

I have a factory installed hitch and it even came with the factory, in-the-box, ball mount.

Is this normal?

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

If you lay down to take a look under the rear of your 4R, it'll be on the opposite side as your exhaust. Here's what you're looking for:

The regular 4-pin is on the side closest to your spare tire.

-Joel

 

[classic72]

Found it! I crawled under there earlier... wow, can't believe I missed it. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[STX4Runner]

[MENTION=90522]GreyhoundGuy[/MENTION], yours looks parallel to the ground. Has it always been like that? Mine is at a bit of an angle.

 

[Socco]

Wow! Thats how they're mounting them now? Thats even more ridiculous than the 2010. Mine is in the same spot, but at least its on an angle so its not totally vertical.

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

[MENTION=90522]GreyhoundGuy[/MENTION], yours looks parallel to the ground. Has it always been like that? Mine is at a bit of an angle.

Yes, it's always been that way.

Can you catch a picture of yours? I'm curious to see it.

-Joel

 

[STX4Runner]

I kinda like your as it looks completely protected for off roading. Tough to get to, but protected. I'll post a pic later when I have a chance.

 

[STX4Runner]

As promised.

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

[MENTION=80024]STX4Runner[/MENTION] - Well that's weird. I would think that the LE would have the wiring harness at 45 degrees and the TE would be flat. I wonder why they're the way they are.

Anybody know anything about the differences... or care to just make crazy speculations?

-Joel

 

[Byrdman713]

My wifes SR5 is angled down too...I think yours either got moved from off roading or someone moved it on purpose. Either way it makes more sense to have it out the way so it doesnt catch on anything. I hate that I had to buy an extention cord to attach to my trailer....

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

I think yours either got moved from off roading or someone moved it on purpose.

Does anyone else have the same setup as mine? Or am I alone on this "Why the he** did they do that" ship?

-Joel

 

[TheRainMan]

I have a 14 LE and it's flat.

 

[STX4Runner]

This may a case of whatever box was on the assembly line on the day yours was made is what you ended up with.

 

[Muddy Duck]

Has anyone had any luck moving these connections so that an extension cord is unnecessary? I tow often and hate having to dive under my truck every time I hook up my boat or flatbed trailer. I tried just leaving the extension zip-tied in place, but the plug stock plug would get so nasty from being open all of the time I removed it except when towing.

Show me some ingenuity on this one, or at least castigate me because I didn't search old threads diligently enough.

 

[Biggcrisp]

My SR5 has the angled setup…I grabbed the bracket and pulled towards the back of the truck to gain the inch or two needed. The bracket is soft metal and bent easily enough. There is extra wire harness for this option.

Problem is it looks like sh!t and I still have to lay on the ground to make the connection.

When or if the plug fails I hope to do something better.

Anyone made an improvement yet?

 

[Titanpat57]

My SR5 has the angled setup…I grabbed the bracket and pulled towards the back of the truck to gain the inch or two needed. The bracket is soft metal and bent easily enough. There is extra wire harness for this option.

Problem is it looks like sh!t and I still have to lay on the ground to make the connection.

When or if the plug fails I hope to do something better.

Anyone made an improvement yet?

I have some time off coming up, and that's going to be one of my projects. Going to try and figure a way to come out the back of the bumper.

 

[MikeDUBS]

I had a European harness installed a couple weeks ago. Just to give you guys an idea of where the original could be relocated.

 

[ScoMey]

Has anyone had any luck moving these connections so that an extension cord is unnecessary? I tow often and hate having to dive under my truck every time I hook up my boat or flatbed trailer. I tried just leaving the extension zip-tied in place, but the plug stock plug would get so nasty from being open all of the time I removed it except when towing.

Show me some ingenuity on this one, or at least castigate me because I didn't search old threads diligently enough.

I considered adding an extension plug from the factory location closer to the hitch, as the problem I ran into was that my lead from the tailer was too short - it came unplugged every time I turned to the right. In the end, I decided that would just complicate things by adding unnecessary connections - instead, I bought and installed a longer 7 pin connection from the trailer itself.

And, to answer the OP's question... mine is a '14 LE, and my plug is angled. I've gotten used to hooking it up now and it isn't that bad.

-sjm

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

Has anyone had any luck moving these connections so that an extension cord is unnecessary? I tow often and hate having to dive under my truck every time I hook up my boat or flatbed trailer. I tried just leaving the extension zip-tied in place, but the plug stock plug would get so nasty from being open all of the time I removed it except when towing.

Show me some ingenuity on this one, or at least castigate me because I didn't search old threads diligently enough.

I use an extension (18" or 24", I think). I don't leave it plugged in to the 4R, though. My thought is that, with those springy covers open and the adapter plugged in, I'm just opening myself up to issues with water and grime getting into those electrical connections.

I'd much rather deal with disconnecting and reconnecting it.

-Joel