trailer wire hookup

4x4firefighter · 06-03-2008, 11:16 PM

sure theres a post but i cant find one that helps.......need to wire up the trailer wiring but i have no idea where the hell i am supose to tap into or if there is a junction box or what? no wiring came with my edie.......ne one help?

trevell407 · 06-03-2008, 11:20 PM

You just have the buy the wiring at a parts store or walmart, its less than $20.
There are connectors under the tail lights that you just plug into.

Gator Jeff · 06-03-2008, 11:26 PM

Have you checked behind your tailights? You should have a piece that looks like it has a red nipple on it behind your drivers side taillight assembly. That plug is where you'd connect a factory wiring harness.

If you don't want to get the factory harness, you can just tap into the wires with scotch blocks and get the same effect. The only negatives with the scotch blocks is that could fail over time.

A more permanent option is to cut off the plug and then use butt connectors or solder to connect the trailer harness to the wires inside your taillight.

As for the socket, there are a few of us who cut a hole in their bumper and installed the socket through the bumper. It looks really clean that way.

What are you towing, btw? It is strongly recommended that anyone towing get an auxiliary transmission cooler and filter with a sending nit for a temperature gauge.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

4x4firefighter · 06-03-2008, 11:33 PM

only plan on towing atv but im crazy so if i have to hook on somethin large i might do it without thinking....lol

Beargap · 06-05-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4firefighter

sure theres a post but i cant find one that helps.......need to wire up the trailer wiring but i have no idea where the hell i am supose to tap into or if there is a junction box or what? no wiring came with my edie.......ne one help?

All you need is a Hopkins part number 40325 which plugs into the wiring harness and provides a pigtail to plug the trailer lights into. Cost less than $20. Do a Google search if you don't have a local source. Wal-Mart used to carry them but did not the last time I looked.

=Vic=
Bear Gap, PA

*gijoecam* · 06-06-2008, 01:40 PM

The Hopkins connector is OK, but it's just the harness. Ford sells the package that includes the harness, a bracket to mount the receptacle to the bumper, a bolt for the bracket, and a couple of clips to route the cable down along the bumper and frame rails. IIRC, it's about $40 from the dealership.

johnny23toronto · 07-02-2008, 07:11 AM

It took me an entire day of frustration to find this:

REESE 15241.
1995-2001 Explorer w/OEM tow package.
98-99 ranger w/OEM tow package.
98-01 b series w/OEM tow package.
I had eventually found it at Canadian Tire for $21

Every hitch shop i went to tried to sell me the $50 or $90 "Tee" kits instead.

They all pretented to not know what i meant when i said our trucks are prewired, and then when i gave them the part number they said, "oh yeahhhh, well we dont carry that in stock, its not very expensive"

It plugs right into my harness perfectly under the bumper. took 3 mins to install. I hope this helps others:

It looks like the Hopkins 40915 T, but i bought the Reese brand. Note it is not a "T" connector, but the package may show a pic of a T and call it a T connection too.

*GopherBaroque* · 03-14-2010, 10:27 PM

I removed the rear bumper from my 95 2Dr to paint it to match my new front winch bumper (RLC Welding). Here is a picture of the wiring behind it:

lugnuts55 · 03-15-2010, 08:37 PM

I have a 96 EB with this harness behind the bumper. The factory-made jumper harnes was inside the left panel near the jack. When I hooked the jumper to the trailer, it blew a couple fuses. I spent most of a day looking for a short before realizing the wires in the jumper harness were in the wrong cavities. Once I figured this out, I used the colors of the wires to match up with the trailer wiring. There is a factory bulletin on this issue. Once straightened out, it works great. You might be able to find info on this at google or else go to a dealer. I hope this saves someone some time and trouble.
Mike

06-03-2008, 11:16 PM	#1
4x4firefighter Wannabe Elite Explorer Oneonta, NY 99 Eddie Limited Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 106 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	trailer wire hookup sure theres a post but i cant find one that helps.......need to wire up the trailer wiring but i have no idea where the hell i am supose to tap into or if there is a junction box or what? no wiring came with my edie.......ne one help?

06-03-2008, 11:26 PM	#3
Gator Jeff Elite In Memoriam 2000 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,156 Vehicle Specs	Have you checked behind your tailights? You should have a piece that looks like it has a red nipple on it behind your drivers side taillight assembly. That plug is where you'd connect a factory wiring harness. If you don't want to get the factory harness, you can just tap into the wires with scotch blocks and get the same effect. The only negatives with the scotch blocks is that could fail over time. A more permanent option is to cut off the plug and then use butt connectors or solder to connect the trailer harness to the wires inside your taillight. As for the socket, there are a few of us who cut a hole in their bumper and installed the socket through the bumper. It looks really clean that way. What are you towing, btw? It is strongly recommended that anyone towing get an auxiliary transmission cooler and filter with a sending nit for a temperature gauge. Good luck and welcome to the forum! __________________ 2000 Sport -- BWM, 4 DR leaf springs, 100W aftermarket driving lights, 55W backup lights, Pioneer HU with iPod controls and remote housed in center armrest. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Home of the Fightin' 29 and Truck 297 -- The Tallest Aerial in Baltimore County A great cause -- Leary Firefighters Foundation RIP Jeff - You are truly missed

06-06-2008, 01:40 PM	#6
gijoecam Village Idiot Trenton, MI 98 ExSport, '00 F-150 Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 8,348 Vehicle Specs	The Hopkins connector is OK, but it's just the harness. Ford sells the package that includes the harness, a bracket to mount the receptacle to the bumper, a bolt for the bracket, and a couple of clips to route the cable down along the bumper and frame rails. IIRC, it's about $40 from the dealership. __________________ -98 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, K&N drop-in, LEMON in progress! -'00 F-150, mucho mods *"We need to allow Darwinism take it's course and let the idiots weed themselves out of existance."* ~ Rick Horwitz We must believe in free will — we have no choice. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer I'm not smart, just a resourceful idiot. ~ Me

07-02-2008, 07:11 AM	#7
johnny23toronto Wannabe Elite Explorer Toronto, Ontario '99 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 37 Vehicle Specs	1999 ford explorer sport trailer wiring connector It took me an entire day of frustration to find this: REESE 15241. 1995-2001 Explorer w/OEM tow package. 98-99 ranger w/OEM tow package. 98-01 b series w/OEM tow package. I had eventually found it at Canadian Tire for $21 Every hitch shop i went to tried to sell me the $50 or $90 "Tee" kits instead. They all pretented to not know what i meant when i said our trucks are prewired, and then when i gave them the part number they said, "oh yeahhhh, well we dont carry that in stock, its not very expensive" It plugs right into my harness perfectly under the bumper. took 3 mins to install. I hope this helps others: It looks like the Hopkins 40915 T, but i bought the Reese brand. Note it is not a "T" connector, but the package may show a pic of a T and call it a T connection too. __________________ Done by me, with the help of this forum and the people on it... Warrior shackles, Oil press gauge, remote starter, MOOG lower bj's, monroe pads/rotors, Monroe Reflex shocks, front timing tensioner changed, belt tensioner changed (after grenading on the highway), new plugs, air filter, rear wiper motor and arm, new thermostat, a/c refilled...its a start!

06-03-2008, 11:20 PM	#2
trevell407 Wannabe Elite Explorer Kissimmee, Florida 2000 XLT Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 189 Vehicle Specs	You just have the buy the wiring at a parts store or walmart, its less than $20. There are connectors under the tail lights that you just plug into.

06-03-2008, 11:33 PM	#4
4x4firefighter Wannabe Elite Explorer Oneonta, NY 99 Eddie Limited Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 106 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	only plan on towing atv but im crazy so if i have to hook on somethin large i might do it without thinking....lol

03-14-2010, 10:27 PM	#8
GopherBaroque Elite Explorer Washington '95 2D 4WD Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 23 Vehicle Specs	I removed the rear bumper from my 95 2Dr to paint it to match my new front winch bumper (RLC Welding). Here is a picture of the wiring behind it:

03-15-2010, 08:37 PM	#9
lugnuts55 Wannabe Elite Explorer Milwaukee, WI '96 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 54 Vehicle Specs	I have a 96 EB with this harness behind the bumper. The factory-made jumper harnes was inside the left panel near the jack. When I hooked the jumper to the trailer, it blew a couple fuses. I spent most of a day looking for a short before realizing the wires in the jumper harness were in the wrong cavities. Once I figured this out, I used the colors of the wires to match up with the trailer wiring. There is a factory bulletin on this issue. Once straightened out, it works great. You might be able to find info on this at google or else go to a dealer. I hope this saves someone some time and trouble. Mike