Trailer tail light issues

[DBA4X4]

My explorer does not have a tow package so it does not have the proper wiring for a trailer that has taillights. How do I install the appropriate wiring?

 

[corkey]

Installing Trailer Wiring Connections

If you have an older vehicle or one that was not designed for easy towing, you may need to tap into your existing vehicle wiring harness to install a towing connector. Luckily, most of the wiring you need connects to your vehicle's tail lights. The exception is the wiring for a brake controller, but if your vehicle was not made with a towing package, you should take special care before attempting to tow a trailer large enough to require brakes and a controller.

You might need to remove your vehicle's tail lights to access the wires you need, and those wires may not correspond to the trailer wiring color scheme shown above. The best practice is to obtain a schematic drawing of your vehicle's wiring, but you can also determine the wiring plan for yourself by turning on each light (tail light, right turn signal, left turn signal, brakes) in turn and using a voltmeter to note which wires receive current.
this came from this page,, http://www.hitchinfo.com/index.cfm?event=viewpage&contentpieceid=5148

 

[arco777]

Agreed with the above. You'll simply need to splice into your existing taillight wiring. I would suggest some inline fuses so that just in case there is a short in a trailer's wiring it won't damage your taillight circuits. I wired my trailer adapter off the factory taillight wiring and it has worked great for years. Do note that with a trailer attached, your turn signals will flash twice as fast as normal.

 

[coco944x4s]

I would suggest a trip to your local junkyard/pull-a-part. Some Gen 1 Explorers came with a tow package and if you can find one all you need to do is remove the wiring from it, place it in yours, and you are good to go. In behind the jack compartment cover, you will find a set of three relays in a big harness that is all factory and simply plugs in. It is all the taillight and license plate wiring harness so you will have to remove the taillights and the tag light sockets to remove it. Its not that hard to do, you just need to make sure you get the trailer plug that plugs into the harness as well. Then to instal on your Explorer, remove your taillights, remove the taillight harness from your vehicle up to the same rectangle shaped plug in the jack compartment, and then instal the factory tow package harness. It is the easiest way to do this, it is also the safest electrical way to do it since the brake, left tail/turn, and right tail/turn all have their own relay with a straight power source running to the relay. You may have to plug a fuse into the fuse panel for trailer tow, I do not recall having to do this with my '94 Explorer. Using the factory harness also means you don't have to use the high amp flasher units to fix the rapid blinker issue when pulling a trailer. I have had mine in for a few years now and never had a problem out of it.

 

[DBA4X4]

This sounds like it is going to be a little tough seeing this being my first time. however, I am going to put a T Connector on a 2000 XLT.

 

[coco944x4s]

I'll boil it down: Find an explorer in the junkyard with the towing package, unplug and remove the harness, unplug and remove your taillight harness, intsall trailer tow harness in your truck. That simple.

 

[mr cribb]

I'll boil it down: Find an explorer in the junkyard with the towing package, unplug and remove the harness, unplug and remove your taillight harness, intsall trailer tow harness in your truck. That simple.

Or go to wal-mart or any other store that sells the trailer light adapters. It is made by hoppy, it is in a T shape, and plugs in in between the main harness and factory tail lights in the jack storage compartment.

Now that you have an idea what you're looking for and don't feel like paying $20 for the adapter, go to the junkyard as mentioned previous and look for one.