Installation of Wiring for a Leer Camper Shell on 2018 Honda Ridgeline

Question

Question:

Dear sir I have recently purchased a new Honda 2018 Ridgeline truck and a Leer truck cap / camper shell from a local dealer. The dealer claimed experience with the new model Ridgeline and appeared to be creditable. Turned out not to be so as this was his first shot. Of question is his method for installing / connecting the cap interior lights and the third brake light. For this he was supposed to employ a dedicated interface harness designed for this purpose / Ridgeline, which turns out he did not have. Instead he used a 7-way generic interface harness designed for Ford and Toyota, installed in such a manner that the lights do function properly, and simply snipped off the unused wires. Shade tree mechanics at best. This installation might be difficult to service in the future and is simply not my way of properly installing components. Thus, I am looking to purchase the correct designed for interface harness for my Ridgeline and replace what has been previously installed. Your reply would be appreciated. Thank you

asked by: Karl J

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the dealer messed with your factory wiring harness and you want to replace it with the T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way Trailer Connector # 118288.

The correct way to run the wires is to connect the dome light to the 12V power wire either directly coming from your battery using a circuit breaker or splicing into your 12V wire at the 1 o'clock position at your bumper. If you want to run a specific wire, you will use # 16-1-1 sold by the foot and use circuit breaker # PK54220 in line.

Ideally you will want to splice into the third light wire on your truck to get the third brake light function on your cab. Some trucks have this as a separate wire under the dash, but I am unable to find a wiring diagram to help with that location. I recommend contacting a Honda dealer you trust to get that information if you choose not to splice into the current 3rd brake light wiring. You will want to use # 16-1-1 wire (sold by the foot) for that function as well.

You can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test wires for function. The possible issue with splicing in the wrong location is the LED lights have far less power draw than incandescent bulbs, so the supplied power may already be limited.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Answer 1

The best product we have for wiring third brake lights in a camper shell is the 3rd Brake Light Logic Module part #PP20-702. If you were to combine this with an in-bed wiring harness such as the Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness part…

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Answer 2

You are correct, the difference between the two Pop & Lock Power Lock Conversion Kit for Truck Caps and Hard Tonneau Covers kits part #PAL9772 and part #PAL9555 is one comes with a locking handle (PAL9555) and the other allows you to use your…

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Answer 3

For your Leer camper shell, if it has frameless bonded glass I recommend the Pop & Lock Power Locking Handle for Truck Caps and Hard Tonneau Covers #PAL9555 or #PAL9772. You can see there is a Leer shell in the customer photo of #PAL9772. You…

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Answer 4

Pop & Lock Power Lock Conversion Kit for Truck Caps and Hard Tonneau Covers #PAL9772 is not a fit for the T handles, however, Pop & Lock Power Locking Handle for Truck Caps and Hard Tonneau Covers #PAL9555 would work for your 2018 Ford F150…

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Answer 5

You can use 7-way trailer wiring with the module part #PP20-702 to provide power to the third brake light of your camper shell/cap. Basically the stop/turn circuits of the trailer wiring need to run to the yellow wires of this module and then the…

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Answer 6

The easiest and best priced solution for installing a roof rack in the Thule tracks you have on the top of your Leer truck camper is the Rhino Rack Roof Rack #Y01-140B-NT that you referenced. You'll need to remove the feet bases you have now but…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 10

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 11

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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