Trailer Connector Option for 2017 Nissan Rogue With Connector Mounted on Exterior of Vehicle

Question:

Is there a trailer product wiring harness that does not have to hang out of the tailgate of my 2017 nissan rogue s not the sport trim

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

On vehicles that won't be a full-time tow rig, the wiring harness manufacturers will usually specify that the wiring harness like the # C56033 for your Rogue would install so that it stays in the cargo area of the vehicle when not being used, so it's safe from the elements and possible damage. This typically works pretty well, as the weatherstrip around the rear hatch is plenty thick enough that it won't crush the wire when the door is closed on it, as long as you stay away from the latch. I used a harness that installed that way on my old van for years when towing my PWC trailer, and it worked perfectly.

If you still wish to install the harness so the connector is outside the vehicle at all times, you can certainly do that but we don't have any specific instructions for doing so. Chances are, under the cargo floor you can usually find a grommet or plug that you can cut and run the connector through, just be sure to seal the plug with silicone to prevent exhaust gasses from entering the passenger compartment. You may find that the lead and connector isn't long enough, if that's the case you can use a 12 inch loop, part # HM48145 or for a 48 inch length, use # HM47115.

For a tidy looking install, you can use a no drill bracket like # 18140 along with the # 18144 bracket. The no drill bracket would mount to the hitch crossbar using the provided pipe clamp and the # 18144 would attach to that.

I've linked to a video that shows how the brackets go together.