Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
(18 reviews)
Price: $65.27
In Stock
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
Item # HM56011
Our Price: $65.27
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- All Info
- Reviews (18)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Hopkins Tow Bar Wiring - HM56011
- Wiring Harness
- Plugs into Vehicle Wiring
- Tail Light Mount
- Custom
- Hopkins
Wire your vehicle and get the signal lights required for flat towing without having to splice into your wiring with this custom, plug-in harness. Integrated diodes prevent feedback from RV for safe operation. Wires as combined lighting system.
Features:
- Lets you wire your vehicle to accept your RV's tail, brake, and turn signal lights for flat towing
- Wires towed car as combined system so that brake and turn signals travel along same wire
- Provides 4-way flat plug at front of towed car to connect to motor home
- Plugs in quickly and easily - no cutting or splicing of wires
- Connection points are located behind your vehicle's tail lights
- Prevents electrical feedback to safeguard towed car's electrical system
- Weatherproof box keeps built-in diodes protected
- Won't interfere with electrical system when towed car is not hooked up to RV
- Custom designed for your vehicle
- Includes wiring harness, mounting bracket, and installation hardware
- Extension loop for connecting towed car to RV is sold separately
- Brake light relay (RM-88400 - sold separately) may be required if used with supplemental braking system
- 90-Day warranty
Wiring Your Towed Car with Hopkins
Wiring your car for flat towing has never been easier. No more testing wires or splicing into your electrical system. No need to painstakingly position multiple diodes beneath your vehicle. No worries about voiding your warranty. With this custom-fit towed vehicle wiring kit from Hopkins, all you have to do is plug the harness into your vehicle's existing wiring, which is located behind your car's tail light assemblies. No cutting, tapping, or splicing is required.
After plugging in the wiring harness, use the included bracket to mount the 4-way flat connector at the front of your towed car. An extension loop (sold separately) is required to connect your towed car to your RV.
Separate vs. Combined Lighting Systems
Some automobiles operate on a 3-wire system, wherein the brake signal and the turn signals travel along different wires to illuminate different lights. (Typically, these vehicles have amber turn signals.) This is referred to as a "separate lighting system." When you hook up for flat towing using this harness, your towed car's lighting system will operate in a combined fashion regardless of whether it typically has combined or separate lighting. This means that the brake and turn signals sent by your RV to your towed car will be carried on a single wire. As a result, your car's brake lights will do the flashing for the turn signals. Your vehicle will still function as designed when not hooked up to your RV.
Do You Need a Brake Light Relay?
Because this harness wires your vehicle as a combined system, a brake light relay (RM-88400 - sold separately) may be required if you use a supplemental braking system with your towing setup. A supplemental braking system depresses the brake pedal in your towed car every time you apply the brakes in your RV. So, if your towed car's brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed and the engine is off - as is the case when towing - then you need to install a relay to ensure that the lights on your towed car always act in accordance with the signals sent by your RV via the wiring harness. Without a relay, the brake signal from your towed car will override the turn signal sent by your RV when you slow down to make turns, creating a potential hazard.
56011 Hopkins Plug-In Simple Dinghy Towing Harness
Installation Details
This Product Fits The Following Vehicles
- 2015 - 2018 Ford Edge Sport and Titanium
California residents: click here
Customer Satisfaction Score:
93% were satisfied with this product
7% of customers were not satisfied
- Wrong item was ordered
Customer Reviews
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - HM56011
Average Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (18 Customer Reviews)
Wire your vehicle and get the signal lights required for flat towing without having to splice into your wiring with this custom, plug-in harness. Integrated diodes prevent feedback from RV for safe operation. Wires as combined lighting system.by: Anthony07/20/2022
2016 Ford Edge
Bought to install on vehicle to be flat towed behind motorhome. Installed temporarily on 2016 Ford Edge with LED tail lights by lying wires on ground. When connected to tow vehicle turn and brake lights are fine but running lights only lit side markers not actual rear lights that normally light when Edge controls them. Probably not legal. Must return. Photos show normal operation and kit operation.
by: Gary F02/27/2024
2015 Ford Edge
Order was processed and shipped quickly. Install was a breeze thanks to website video..
Great experience.
by: Ronald 07/08/2023
The kit was straight forward to install and the instruction video online is a must. It would be helpful if video made mention that only the center row of LEDs illuminate when motorhome brakes are applied. Otherwise the the plug and play installation at the tail lights is great; No cutting and splicing.
by: Stephen F.03/29/2019
2017 Ford Edge
Product did not work in 2017 Ford Edge...despite etrailer saying it would. The standard 4 diode system with two 50 ohm 10 watt resistors is required to work with the Edge’s LED lights. Don’t waste your $$ on this product.
Mike L.
3/30/2019
As mentioned in our Fit Guide, this harness is only compatible with Sport and Titanium models. The resistors would be needed for SE and SEL models because of the variable voltage taillights.
by: Jerryb04/05/2017
2016 Ford Edge
The lighting set installed ok on my 2016 Ford Edge with a few caveats: They say to mount the diode box behind the tail light assy. On my 2016 there is no room at all, the LED lights take up the whole space. I finally was able to cram it behind the bumper facia below the light, along with the new dual connector. Really tight and had to pry things out of the way but it finally worked. Also not much fun snaking the harness down, across, and up the other side but it also worked by using a fish to pull it up. Also not too much fun snaking the wire from back to front along the chassis but again, it did work ok with a lot of crawling and putting the car up on ramps, first the back then the front. I needed a charge line along with the lights so had to cut off their 4 wire connector and wire in a new 7 wire socket (only needed 6) in the front. Overall, it's nice using the car lights and not external ones. On my last car I installed the independent Blue Ox set with new socket and bulbs but there is no way it would fit on the Edge.
by: LarryH06/02/2017
2016 Ford Edge
It was extremely difficult to fit the plastic electrical box behind the driver side light fixture as instructed. Also, the wiring to the passenger side light fixture was 2 feet short, so I had to splice extra wire for the connectors to reach the light fixture. The good news is that it WORKS!!
by: Joel R12/02/2017
I called Crystal at etrailer on Tuesday and she was so helpful answered all my questions and made sure I had everything I needed placed the order for my baseplate and patriot 11 braking system and I had it on Friday. I am having it installed Monday and will send pictures later. Couldn't be happier.
Thanks Crystal for all your help.
by: Neal W04/30/2019
Well made and easy to install at the lights. Routing the wiring to the front of the car was a bit involved to route and secure in a safe manner. Very helpful that all the rear wiring was an easy unplug an plug procedure.
by: Adrien a06/14/2018
2017 Ford Edge
A great way to go with this product...... out of sight, out of mind......Thanks to Pat C for suggesting this product for me. It was the best way go for my 2017 Ford Edge Sport..... I highly recommend this product and etrailer...... Thanks
by: Jim C03/28/2019
The product was installed by etrailer in our tow vehicle and works flawlessly. We are extremely satisfied.
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by: Virgil 01/14/2022
Product arrived in great shape and the install video was priceless. Worked perfectly! Would highly recommend!
by: David 09/01/2021
Great solution for diyers, good instruc tions
by: Ken07/02/2019
As advised plug and play super easy to install
by: Davisele03/21/2017
2017 Ford Edge
Taylor made fit!
by: Don05/30/2018
2018 Ford Edge
Comfort level for us, thanks
Don
5/30/2019
Excellent, no issues at all. Works as designed.
by: Fred05/10/2022
This product works as it should and install was simple to understand>
by: Shara04/20/2021
Working great
by: Randall 04/20/2021
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See what our Experts say about this Hopkins Tow Bar Wiring
- Plug and Play Style Tow Bar Lighting Kit Recommendation for 2018 Ford EdgeWe have a great plug and play style tow bar lighting solution for your 2018 Ford Edge from Hopkins but we do not have one from Tow Daddy. Instead you'd want the Hopkins kit part # HM56011 and you'd be set. I attached an install video for this kit for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Troubleshooting Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011 on 2018 Ford Edge SELThe Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011 that you installed on your 2018 Ford Edge SEL is only confirmed to fit the Sport and Titanium model of the Edge. The issue with the SEL model is that it is equipped with variable voltage tail lights that don't provide enough resistance for the lights to operate correctly with the Hopkins harness installed. This is why all the lights on your Edge work fine when powered individually but not with the running lights activated. In order for...
view full answer... - Recommended Tow Bar Wiring Kit for 2017 Ford Edge with LED Tail LIghtsIf your 2017 Ford Edge is the Sport or Titanium model with LED tail lights, then the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011 that you referenced will work perfectly. This wiring kit is custom-fit for this vehicle and will let you wire your Ford Edge to accept your RV's tail, brake, and turn signal lights for flat towing. It will provide a 4-Way flat plug at the front of the vehicle to connect to the RV. I have attached the complete installation instructions that you can also check...
view full answer... - Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit Not Working On 2018 EdgeAs I understand it, your motorhome has a 7-way connector on the back, that you have connected a 7-way To 4-way adapter to, and then attached a splitter to create two four-way connectors from one. Then you have connected one 4-way connector to a towing dolly, and the other 4-way to a 2018 Ford Edge Titanium via the Hopkins # HM56011 Tail Light Wiring Kit that is confirmed to work with your Edge Titanium model. You have reported that the lights work correctly on the dolly, but not on the...
view full answer... - Tow Bar Lighting Kit Solution for 2018 Ford Edge that is No-SpliceWe do have a plug and play tow bar lighting kit solution for your 2018 Ford Edge with the Hopkins kit part # HM56011 which plugs in line with the taillight wiring harnesses of the vehicle. I attached an install video for this for you to check out as well. I really like these since they install without having to splice into the vehicle wiring.
view full answer... - Wiring for 2018 Ford Edge Sport to be Flat Towed and to Tow a TrailerIt's actually easier than you might think. I recommend using the Tekonsha wiring harness, part # 118677, for towing the trailer with your 2018 Ford Edge Sport because it has a higher maximum amperage than the other options. It plugs in behind the tail lights and then you run a hot lead up to the Edge's battery to power the converter box. Then for the toad wiring use the Hopkins # HM56011 which also plugs in behind the tail lights. Both harnesses use the same connectors and can be plugged...
view full answer... - Disconnecting the Battery for Flat Towing 2018 Ford Edge Titanium Made EasyYour vehicle will drain the battery as you tow it, so a Roadmaster # RM-766 automatic battery disconnect is recommended - unless, or course, you just like popping the hood and manually disconnecting/reconnecting the battery all the time.
view full answer... - Trailer Wiring Recommendation for 2016 Ford Edge with Hopkins Tow Bar WiringSince you already have the tow bar lighting kit part # HM56011 installed on your 2016 Ford Edge you'll have to use a universal "hardwired" trailer wiring kit. For that the part # 119250KIT would fit and work well. This will allow you to retain the tow bar wiring kit you have and have trailer wiring as well.
view full answer... - Can the Roadmaster Battery Disconnect # RM-766 be Used on a 2017 Ford Edge for Flat TowingI spoke with my contact at Roadmaster who said that the Automatic Battery Disconnect # RM-766 has to be installed on the positive battery terminal. The reason given in the owner's manual for your 2017 Ford Edge is that "You need the door key to lock and unlock doors when the battery cable is disconnected" (see page 238). Whether you disconnect the positive or negative battery cable the result will be the same; you will have to use a key because the key FOB won't work with the battery...
view full answer... - Recommended Wiring Harness for Flat Towing 2018 Ford Edge Titanium For your 2018 Ford Edge Titanium I recommend the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011. This is the only custom harness available for your vehicle that will let you install the wiring as a true "plug-and-play" application so you don't have to splice into factory wiring at all. It will plug right into existing ports located behind the rear tail lights and includes a 4-Way connector that you will mount to the front of the Edge. The integrated diodes also prevent any feedback from...
view full answer... - Recommended Tow Bar Wiring for 2018 Ford Edge SEL to Flat Tow Behind MotorhomeThere is not a custom fit tail light wiring kit like # HM56011 for your 2018 Ford Edge SEL model. That is only a fit for Sport and Titanium models. For your SEL model, I recommend the Hopkins Magnetic Tow Lights - Red LEDs - 4-Way Flat Connector - Wireless # C6304 for your tow lighting needs. There is not a confirmed fit for anything other than a lighting system that bypasses your factory lighting at this time.
view full answer... - Can Vehicle Wiring Harness Be Installed On 2017 Ford Edge Sport W/ Hopkins HM56011 Installed?The Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # HM11140484 you were looking at for your 2017 Ford Edge Sport will work perfectly with the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles # HM56011 you currently have installed. Both harnesses will plug into each other, and then into the tail lights. Since they will not be used at the same time, there will be no issues with overloading any circuits or wiring. The Tekonsha # 118677 and Curt #...
view full answer... - Is Brake Light Required when Using a Supplemental Braking System on a 2017 Ford EdgeYou will not need to use the brake light relay on your 2017 Ford Edge and SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO braking system # SM99251. But since your vehicle brake lights do not light up with the ignition off you will need to use the stop light switch kit # RM-751475. The switch kit activates the motor home brake-monitoring system whenever the brake pedal in your Edge is applied which ensures that the supplemental braking system is functioning properly.
view full answer... - Recommendation on a Tow Bar Wiring Kit for a 2017 Ford EdgeI recommend the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit, # HM56011. The Hopkins kit will allow you to hook into you 2017 Ford Edge's electrical system without cutting your OEM factory wiring. The Hopkins kit is confirmed to fit the 2017 Edge, while the Roadmaster RM-766 in not a confirmed fit for the this vehicle's wiring. You may also need to install the Brake Light Relay # RM-88400 with your supplemental braking.
view full answer... - Tow Bar Wiring for 2016 Ford Edge SELThe Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011 that you referenced is only a direct fit for the Sport and Titanium models of your 2016 Ford Edge and won't work on your SEL. The two 50 ohm, 10 watt resistors that you saw mentioned are required when using a standard diode kit like the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power # RM-154 or the Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267 (which is what I recommend) on the SEL models. This is because of the variable voltage tail light circuits on the vehicle....
view full answer... - Troubleshooting Wiring for Dinghy Towing on a 2016 Ford EdgeThere are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the tow bar or dinghy wiring on your 2016 Ford Edge. The first thing that I recommend you do is check in the owner's manual for specific instructions. Some cars have special instructions to ensure that the lighting works and nothing happens to the vehicle's engine while being towed. The second thing that you can do is use a Circuit Tester, like part # PTW2993, to check the wiring harness on the RV to make sure that it is actually...
view full answer... - Does 2015 Ford Edge Sport Require Brake Light Relay with Blue Ox PatriotThe Hopkins Tow Bar Lighting Kit part # HM56011 that you referenced is a confirmed fit for your 2015 Ford Edge Sport. I don't believe you'll need a brake light relay part # RM-88400 with the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR as it's not listed as a requirement by any of our manufacturers but you can pretty easily test this by applying the vehicle brakes with the vehicle turned off and if the brake lights come on you'll need the relay and if not then you won't.
view full answer... - Tow Bar Lighting Kit That Fits 2018 Ford EdgeThe Hopkins Tow Bar Lighting Kit part # HM56011 is a confirmed fit for the Sport and Titanium models of your 2018 Ford Edge but not the other models. If you have one of the other models you'd need a diode kit like the part # DM9523010-54. For your tow vehicle that does not have air brakes the DUO part # SM99251 that you mentioned would be a great option. Our installers prefer this system to all of the other permanent install options because of how well it works and how much easier it...
view full answer... - Wiring Harness for a 2017 Ford Edge SEL to Tow a Trailer and to be Towed Behind a MotorhomeThe wiring harness that you need to tow a trailer with your 2017 Ford Edge SEL (or for any vehicle for that matter) will be different than the harness that you will need to be able to tow your Edge behind your motorhome. The Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit # HM56011 that you mentioned will not fit your Edge. Instead you need to use magnetic lights like the Pilot # NV-5164. Your battery does need to be disconnected which will require two 50 ohm, 10 watt resistors so that the taillight...
view full answer... - Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2016 Ford Edge TitaniumThe base plate kit you need for your 2016 Ford Edge Titanium without active cruise control is the part # RM-524454-4. This will work well with your Roadmaster Sterling # RM-576. For lighting we have the custom fit Hopkins Kit part # HM56011 which would work well for you. And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much...
view full answer... - Is Roadmaster Smart Diode Kit Required for a 2020 Ford Edge STTo flat tow your 2020 Ford Edge you will need "smart diodes" as included in the Roadmaster # RO44FR Universal Kit. However, I would go ahead and get the Roadmaster # RM38FR kit that additionally includes the 7-way to 6-way cable and connectors that you will also need. Additionally, your Edge will drain its battery while being towed. I recommend the RM-766 battery disconnect unless you want to manually wrench the battery cables off every time that you unhitch and rehitch! Flat towing...
view full answer... - Will There be an Issue with Steering when Flat Towing a 2016 Ford Edge I looked up an online version of the owner's manual for your 2016 Ford Edge and it didn't say anything about a concern with the steering. I recommend checking your copy of the owner's manual and then, if you still have questions, a Ford dealer who would know more details about that end of the flat towing process. For a complete flat towing setup you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, vehicle tow bar wiring, a supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. If...
view full answer... - Recommended Parts to Flat Tow a 2017 Ford Edge TitaniumYes, disconnecting the battery with a Quick-Disconnect, like the Deka part # DW05312, will be the easy way to go when it comes to disconnecting the battery on your 2017 Ford Edge so it can be flat towed. Disconnecting the battery prevents it from draining while you are flat towing. Since the owner's manual states that the battery must be disconnected I strongly recommend following those instructions and not trying to get by it somehow. That is one of the down sides to flat towing with...
view full answer... - Will the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles Work on a 2015 Ford Edge SELI do have an option but the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit part # HM56011 will only fit the 2015 Ford Edge Sport/Titanium, not the 2015 Ford Edge SEL. The 2015 Ford Edge SEL has variable voltage taillights which is where the issue lies. Therefore, you will need to use the Roadmaster Wiring Kit part # RO44FR which requires splicing. There are no plug and play flat-tow wiring harnesses for a 2015 Ford Edge SEL unfortunately. I have attached some other parts you might need as well below. Roadmaster...
view full answer...
Do you have a question about this Tow Bar Wiring?
Info for this part was:
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Video Edited:
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Test Fit:
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Jenny N.
7/25/2022
The Hopkins wiring kit is only confirmed to fit the Sport and Titanium model of the Edge. The issue with the SEL model is that it is equipped with variable voltage tail lights that do not provide enough resistance for the lights to operate correctly with the Hopkins harness installed. This is why all the lights on your Edge work fine when powered individually but not with the running lights activated. I recommend installing part # RO44FR which is made for variable voltage LED tail lights.