Ruby’s trailer hitch
August 23, 2016
I’ll never belittle a factory-installed trailer hitch option again. Sure, 1D6 Trailer Hitch without Ball cost $2110. and had never been used. But I ran Ruby up the hoist, backed the four screws out of the cover plate, and slid in a 7 pin hitch adapter from Amazon.ca.
Next I slid a 7 to 4 pin adapter onto the wires from my fishing boat trailer and hooked it up. Everything worked except the right tail-light on the trailer. The wires were too short to turn right, though. As I got ready to lengthen the wires I noticed a pinch which had broken the green wire. An hour of splicing later, everything was set.
I started the car and the dash warned: “Check your trailer lights!” This icon wasn’t going away, so I got out, checked the lights, and returned. Ruby was satisfied with this and gave back the normal dashboard display. Next time I started the engine it was the same scenario, but I discovered I could outwit my nanny by simply opening and closing the door.
At the minimum a thousand-dollar premium for a gee-whiz warning on the dashboard? If the hitch is only to carry a couple of bikes, the sophisticated wiring and heavy-duty hitch aren’t worth it, but with the 20′ car hauler sitting next to the garage, the hitch package may provide real value.
*My son has assured me that Ruby will still need a separate brake controller to handle a trailer with electric brakes, but I have found online that the wiring, complete with a four-pin connector, is neatly tucked into a nook just above the parking brake pedal.
the Walnut Diary 
August 23, 2016 at 4:42 pm
I’m anxious to try out the factory installed and never used tow package on Pearl, our 2010 Toyota Highlander. I bought new hitch balls at Princess Auto the other day.
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