Does Trailer Taillight Converter # C55550 Need Direct Power from Battery

Question:

I have a question about the T1 wiring harness with converter for the 2003 Kia Sorento. I noticed on yours the plug goes into the external plug from the taillight wiring and thats it. On the existing 4 flat wiring harness on my 2003 Sorento there is an extra wire that is red in color that goes from the converter towards the front of the vehicle.Are you aware what that might be for and will that affect the operation of your product if I install it. I guess my question is if that may be a hot wire for the old converter that I could just cap off so to speak and yours would work just fine off the existing external plug. Sorry if I confused you and thanks in advance for your reply.

asked by: Zach W

Expert Reply:

The extra wire you refer to is almost certainly a power wire that provided a direct power feed from the battery to the original converter. The Curt # C55550 which would be a fit for your 2003 Sorento, doesn't need an extra power wire. It will draw the necessary power through the taillight circuits and as long as your trailer has pretty minimal lighting (such as what would typically be found on a small utility or enclosed trailer), the fact that there's no independent power wire shouldn't be a problem at all.

You can indeed cap off that remaining power feed wire you described.

expert reply by: Mike L