Adding a 7-Way Trailer Connector to a 2012 Toyota Sienna

Question:

I will be ordering and installing a trailer hitch and wiring on our newly acquired 2012 Sienna AWD. Our camper has a 7 wire plug with a battery charge wire and no trailer brakes. If I am thinking correctly I will get a Tow Ready wiring harness 118498 to get my 4 wire connecton. Item 30717 will convert from the 4 wire to a 7 wire plug and I will string a lead to the battery through an inline fuse to the black wire on the 7 wire plug and connect the white wire to a chassis ground. I prefer to have the wiring as a pig tail that I can stow inside when not in use rather than a permanent outside in the weather. Am I correct on the needed part numbers and installation? Trailer hitch will be a Curtis C13105.

asked by: Jim L

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2012 Toyota Sienna Tow Ready wiring harness # 118498 will establish the 4-Way like you said. You can use # 30717 as a 4 to 7-Way adapter but I recommend # 37185 because it will give you both a 7-Way and still retain the 4-Way.

The white wire will be the ground and the black wire for 12 volt power. Since the trailer does not have electric brakes, the blue wire can be taped up and stowed out of the way. The last wire (either purpler or yellow) is normally for reverse lights and if that is not needed on the trailer that wire, too, can be taped up and stowed out of the way.

For wire to go from the 7-Way to the van battery use # 10-1-1. It is sold in increments of 1 foot. So if you needed 20 feet you would enter 20 in the quantity box.

Instead of a fuse I recommend a 40 amp circuit breaker # PK54540. Should there be a short the breaker will automatically reset. With a fuse, you would have to replace it.

A 7-Way is going to be protected by its cover so having it outside of the vehicle will not be a problem. I have included some links that should help with this installation.