Using Curt T-Connector Wiring Harness C55504 for Accessing Lighting Functions for Extra Lights

Question:

I have a 2005 Dodge pickup that I have made into a portable welding rig. I am putting a flatbed on it with taillights, turn singles and brake lights. The lights are non LED. My questions are, will it work and can I use your product to wire the aftermarket lights up without causing any issues in the factory lighting circuit?

asked by: Don F

Expert Reply:

If your 2005 Dodge Ram pickup has existing factory trailer wiring, say a 7-way like # HM42137 or a 4-pole like # 118381, you can use that trailer connector to access lighting signals for the extra lights you plan to install on your flat bed. If you have no trailer connector you can use the 4-pole harness # C55504 that you referenced; this plugs in at the taillight wiring connectors.

Note that in both of these trailer wiring formats the vehicle's stop light and turn signal functions are combined and carried on the same wire. So, in a 4-pole harness like # 18002 the green wire will carry both right turn and stop signals; the yellow wire will carry both left turn and stop signals and the brown wire carries just running (tail) light signals.

If you were to access the truck's factory wiring through such a 4-pole you would want to choose a combination stop/turn/tail light like the Optronics # TLL160RK. Keep in mind that your factory wiring has a finite current output capacity and it could be possible to overload that wiring IF you installed a large number of power-hungry lights.