What's Needed for Towing a Travel Trailer with a 2014 Ford Explorer

Question

Question:

I am trying to figure out what I would need if I am going to tow a travel trailer with a 2014 Ford Explorer with no factory tow package. I am referring to wiring components I have a hitch receiver installed already.

asked by: Brandi

0

Expert Reply:

We have everything that you need. First off will be the Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way # C56278. This will give you the 7-way plug the travel trailer requires.

Secondly I recommend the Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # C51180. This brake controller makes it very simple for you to plug into the 7-way and then will link to your smart phone. It's a great option as it allows you to use with multiple vehicles and trailers and save those profiles in your phone. And don't worry it will default to the last saved profile if you lose your phone or it dies.

Finally I wanted to make sure you consider a good hitch. The Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37040ET is one of the best and will make your trips safe. It is doing 2 things for you, first it is helping to distribute the tongue weight evenly across your vehicle. This helps to ensure that the front of your Explorer is not being lifted into the air causing sloppy steering as well as diminishing your breaking on the front wheels. Secondly it reduces the sway that is caused by wind and other vehicles on the road. As the travel trailer wants to move in the wind the Equal-i-zer system puts resistance on the trailer to reduce its side to side movement. This system will help make you feel relaxed while driving and not white knuckled as some say. This particular system is rated for 400 lbs of tongue weight. If your trailers max tongue weight is over this please let me know and I can recommend one that will work best for your application.

expert reply by: Bud M

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Answer 1

There are often two different harnesses at the back of the 2015 Ford Explorer and it looks like you just have the incorrect one; occasionally they're in slightly different spots but there will only be 1 plug to install trailer wiring on a…

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Answer 2

Sometime auto makers include certain features, like tow wiring connectors, even on vehicles that do not have the tow package. The term's exact meaning varies by auto maker, car model and even by year. If your Explorer has the mating…

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Answer 3

Trailer wiring harness #C56278 is designed to fit models of the 2015 Ford Explorer that came with the factory connectors under the vehicle to plug in a wiring harness. If your model did not come with them then it cannot be installed. With or…

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Answer 4

I checked with Curt and they list wiring harness #C56278 as a fit for all styles of the 2013 Ford Explorer so that would include models with or without the factory tow package.

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Answer 5

You are correct that the plug in your picture is not the right one. The one that you want to use will have a connection looking like the female side of the Curt T-Connector #C56278 that you referenced. We installed a similar harness, the Tekonsha…

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Answer 6

Your dealer would be able to confirm if your Explorer is equipped with the tow package by running the VIN, the online VIN decoders I have access to aren't detailed enough to indicate whether your Explorer was equipped with the factory tow…

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Answer 7

Even though it doesn't have the tow package, the 2014 Ford Explorer will still have the rectangular connector located under the vehicle behind the passenger side rear wheel as shown in the linked install video for the Curt #C56278. On some…

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Answer 8

If you use a circuit tester like our part #PTW2993 to test the pins of the plug you found and they are active when you apply taillight functions the #C56172 would work. If none of the circuits are activated when the taillight functions are applied…

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Answer 9

Thanks for the photo. We don't have anything that is compatible with the harness you show. I believe you disconnected the harness that should be right next to the trailer wiring harness. Please see attached video at the 1:33 mark. If you…

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Answer 10

The brake controller connector is located directly behind the hood release handle on your 2014 Explorer. Ford typically uses a gray plug, but it might also be a light brown in color. I have confirmed this for certain w/ my Tekonsha representative. If…

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Answer 11

For a trailer weighing 1200kg (2640 pounds) you would most likely only need boost setting 1 if at all when using the P3, #90195. But before setting the boost you will need to set the gain properly on the P3. To do this, follow these steps: First take…

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Answer 12

As the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way Trailer Connector #C56278 connects to the factory tow package connector on your 2014 Ford Explorer you will need to start by checking the fuses and relays in your fuse engine compartment fuse…

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