Is Connecting Tow Ready Trailer Wiring Harness to Battery Required on a 2013 Nissan Murano

Question:

Do you really need to run wire to battery? From another website. I purchased this wiring adapter for my new 2012 Nissan Murano. The product works, but the instructions tells you to do several things including running a power wire from the module up to the battery. I removed all the interior trim on the drivers side of the vehicle and ran the included wire up to the fuse panel the instructions tell you to run under the vehicle... I DO NOT LIKE THIS IDEA. As I was inspecting my vehicle for a proper place to connect the wire that would look good and make a good connection I found an empty fuse under the hood labeled TRAILER. I remembered seeing a single white wire back by the spare tire. I put a fuse in the trailer place and found out that the white wire / connector at the spare tire was actually the power wire for the factory tow harness... USE THAT!!!! Do not run the wire all the way up to the front of the vehicle. Also, the manufacturer says to keep the wire inside the spare tire area and run it out the door when you need it... that is fine, but there is a rubber grommet inside the spare tire area at the right center by the bumper where you can run the 4 wires through there are already wires going out this grommet. Simply pop it out, put your wires through and seal it up good and place it back in the hole. If you follow these steps you will have a quick, safe and clean install.

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

On the Tow Ready trailer wiring harness # 118653 you do need a direct connection to the battery. There may be other 12 volt power sources but the harness is not tested with or rated for use with these other locations. Also by connecting to the fuse panel this person has lost that level of isolation between the trailer wiring and the vehicle wiring.

There are different ways in which a power wire can be ran to the battery. Running the wire under the vehicle is one method it is the quickest. There are other ways and I have included a link to a help article with tips on routing the power wire.

If there is a grommet then it is perfectly acceptable to route the harness through it if that is what you want to do. But make sure it is sealed up using silicone sealant to keep out fumes and moisture.

Another option is to use a harness that is set up to plug into that alternate power location, # 55571. Then you would not have to route a power wire.

expert reply by: Michael H