Is Installation of the Power Wire Required for Trailer Hitch Wiring on a 2007 Dodge Caliber

Question:

Hello I was told that it might not be necassary to connect the battery wire to the battery unless I am planning on using something with electric brakes. Is this correct? The man I talked to said I should get power from the tail lights on the car.

asked by: Carrie

Expert Reply:

The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, # 118552, for a 2009 model Caliber or the Curt # C55050, for a 2007 Caliber, powers the trailer lighting from the vehicle battery. If you do not connect the power wire to the vehicle positive battery post, the harness will not function properly and the vehicles sensitive wiring and circuitry would be at risk of damage if a short circuit would occur on the trailer wiring.

The black converter box serves several functions. First, it senses when the brakes, turn signals or taillights are activated and allows the power to be sent, from the vehicle battery, to the appropriate circuit on the trailer wiring connector. Second, taking power from the vehicle battery eliminates almost all amperage draw on the vehicles taillight wiring and computer system. Third, the converter combines your vehicles separate brake and turn signal functions onto the yellow and green output wires, see video link, so the trailer lights will function properly with a vehicle that has turn signals separate from brake lights. Finally, the converter box protects the vehicle circuitry and computers from any short that may occur on the trailer or wiring harness.

It is definitely necessary to connect the wire to the vehicle battery and only the vehicle battery. Connecting to any other power source would leave your vehicles sensitive circuitry at risk of damage.

If you were to tow a trailer with electric brakes, a brake controller, see link, and a brake controller installation kit, # ETBC7, would be required for proper function of the trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Robert G