Recommended Receiver Hitch and Wiring for 2013 Chrysler Town and Country Towing a Trailer
Question:
i am looking at a 2018 Pacifica that i will be purchasing and want to tow my 3500lbs trailer. The trailer has a weight distribution hitch. Can I do it and do you have the necessary hitch and lighting kit. thanks
asked by: Gregory A
Expert Reply:
From information available to me online, your 2013 Chrysler Town and Country has a maximum towing capacity of 3,600 lbs. You will want to verify this against the specs in your vehicle specific owners manual. I will assume this is a camping trailer that you list at the 3,500 lbs. and it is a max weight, not its dry/unloaded weight. So, yes it appears that although you will be on the upper edge of your vehicles towing abilities, you can do so.
I recommend the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver, # e98854. This is a Class 3 hitch with a 2" receiver that is rated at a maximum gross trailer weight of 4,000 lbs. and a max tongue weight of 400 lbs. So this will exceed ratings of your vehicle allowing you to take full advantage of the max weight ratings of the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country. This is also rated to be used with a Weight Distribution System. Please note the linked installation video of this hitch being installed on a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country.
I presume you will not only need wiring for lights but for a brake controller as well, a 7-way RV type plug. This will require some splicing of wires but the whole process is actually fairly straight forward and easy. First step is to install the Curt # C56331; there is an installation video linked below. With this you will also add the the Universal 7-Way and 4-Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7 which provides everything needed to install a 7-way trailer connector and a brake controller expanding that initial install of the flat 4 plug/wiring harness.
To install a brake controller such as the Curt TriFlex, # C24VV, the Curt Universal Brake Controller Wiring Adapter, # C51515, and the Brake Controller Wiring Kit, # 5506 is needed too.
You will have 4 wires out of your brake controller:
- Black wire powers the brake controller and needs to be routed to the positive terminal of the vehicle's battery using the 30-amp circuit breaker that is included in the wiring kit.
- White wire goes to ground. Either select an appropriate location under the dash board or run directly to the negative terminal of vehicle's battery.
- Red wire splices into the brake light wire from the vehicles stop light switch located above the brake pedal. There are several wires from this switch, connect the red wire to the wire that only has power when the brake pedal is applied. Check the green wire first using a circuit tester such as the # PTW2993.
- Blue wire is for the electric brake output and needs to be ran to the trailer connector at the back of the van.
Products Referenced in This Question
Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Curt TriFlex NEXT Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- CURT
more information >
Universal Wiring Adapter for Curt Trailer Brake Controllers
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Universal
- CURT
more information >
Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- CURT
more information >
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 400 lbs TW
- 4000 lbs GTW
- 5000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 500 lbs WD TW
- Concealed Cross Tube
- etrailer
more information >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System with Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 15K GTW, 1.5K TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- No Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Does Not Allow Backing Up
- 1100 lbs
- 1200 lbs
- 1300 lbs
- 1400 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Where to Position the Trailer Axle?
- Q&A: Troubleshooting 2017 Toyota Tacoma Sending Power Only to Trailer Right Side Tail Lights
- Q&A: Trailer Running Lights Do Not Work but Brake Lights and Turn Signals Do Work
- Q&A: Replacement LED Top Command Clearance Light With SAE-AP2-16 On Lens For 2018 Sunseeker Motorhome
- Q&A: Heavier Duty Leaf Springs To Replace Dexter 072-097-00 On 2018 Keystone Cougar 311RES 5th Wheel
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 4-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: How To Determine Weight Capacity of Double Eye Leaf Springs on Trailer
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
- Q&A: Is There a Trailer End 4-Round With Wires
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Recommended Drop Shank for Weight Distribution Systems
- Article: Trailer Maintenance Schedule
- Article: How to Install a Weight Distribution Hitch (With Pictures & Video)