Compatibility Of Towed Vehicle Wiring Harness And Trailer Towing Wiring Harness On 2014 Ford Edge

Question:

I have a 2014 Ford Edge LTD w/ 3.5 liter V6 FWD. I just installed a Blue Ox BX 2628 baseplate to flat tow the Edge behind our motorhome and am in the process of wiring it up for the lights, turn signals and brake lights. I intend to utilize the Hopkins HM 56010 wiring kit for this installation. Im also going to install a Draw-Tite 75992 trailer hitch and wire that up with a Curt C56120 trailer wiring plug-in kit. 1. Since these are both advertised as plug and play they should be compatible to be used together similar to the addition of a HM 56010 to a factory wired trailer hitch - Correct? 2. I would like to verify that the Curt C56120 connectors should be plugged in closest to the tail light since it has the powered converter for the trailer tail lights and then the Hopkins HM56010 closest to the vehicle wiring harness since it has the protective diodes to prevent back-feed - Correct? 3. Is there a manufacturer that offers one combination harness to accomplish both tasks for this vehicle? Thanks and great website and instructional videos!!!

asked by: Ed H

Expert Reply:

On your 2014 Ford Edge LTD, the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C56120 will simply connect to your factory wiring plugs found behind each tail light. You will have a wire run directly to the battery to power the module in order to avoid overloading your factory system. This will give you a 4-way flat connection. I've attached an installation video for you.

This wiring harness can be used with the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver Class III - 2" # 75992 you mentioned which is confirmed to fit your vehicle. It will give you a sturdy, square tube hitch with black powder coat finish.

For the towed vehicle wiring in your Edge, I recommend using the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-154. The Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles HM56010 you mentioned has been discontinued but was a simple connection but it used the exact same location to connect as the trailer wiring harness, so the two cannot be plugged in at the same time. I don't think you want the hastle or the wear and tear of connecting and disconnecting each time you want to use the other function, so I recommend going with a different wiring set-up like the Roadmaster Diode Kit.

We don't have a kit available for your vehicle that does both the towed vehicle lighting as well as the trailer towing lighting.

If you need a tow bar to go with your # BX2628 baseplates, I recommend the Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar - Motor Home Mount - 6,500 lbs # BX7380 which comes with the safety cables needed. I also recommend the Blue Ox Base-Plate and Receiver Lock Kit - Qty 3 # BX88101 to secure your connections.

If you don't already have a supplemental braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional # SM99251. This is an excellent system that will allow you a one time set-up and no adjustments needed. If you use this system, I recommend using the tow vehicle wiring harness # RM-15267 instead of the # RM-154 because you will need more wiring functions. This will also give you a cleaner look on the front of your Edge.

The last thing you may need is a high-low adapter. I've attached an article to help you determine your needs and linked the page for you. Let me know if you have any other questions I can help with.