drcarl
New Member
- Joined
- February 12, 2009
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Near Seattle, WA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '98 XLT
Good News!
Thank you all for all commentary.
After reading everything, even though I really wanted to 'git her done', I went with the 'bad ground' concept. Maybe it was the big font "YES" that reeked of the certainty I have been looking for. Along with the rest of the posts, I opted for re-acquiring the
$16 Hoppy's (Napa) knock-off of the :thumbdwn: $53 Ford harness. (BTW - I'd like to confirm that however friendly sounding and appearing, the dealership people lived-up to their VERY poor reputation)
I also added a Mickey Moused extra ground wire between the Ex and the trailer. Before my haul, I'll probably find a better non-painted surface (or scrape one) and just twist a nice fat piece of copper wire between 'em both. Hope lightning isn't attracted. Do I need a lightning rod, too? lol
With the hitch on the ball, the extra ground wire, the $16 harness (and the twenty something 4-flat to 7-round (RV) adapter), ALL lights work as they should and I was able to tow the trailer to my home.
In retrospect, I'm torn between 'shoulda just paid a pro' to do it, and learning what's up and doing it myself. As a silver lining seeker, I'll bask in the glory of knowing that I now know more than I knew....and I learned some other important data not directly relevant to wiring, yet greatly important to towing.
My next concern was with high-tonguing the trailer since I'm on a bumper hitch. After standing back and looking at it, even though I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I am VERY happy with how close to level it is.
All-in-all...it's good news as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks to you all...
All my best,
--drcarl :exp:
Thank you all for all commentary.
After reading everything, even though I really wanted to 'git her done', I went with the 'bad ground' concept. Maybe it was the big font "YES" that reeked of the certainty I have been looking for. Along with the rest of the posts, I opted for re-acquiring the
$16 Hoppy's (Napa) knock-off of the :thumbdwn: $53 Ford harness. (BTW - I'd like to confirm that however friendly sounding and appearing, the dealership people lived-up to their VERY poor reputation)I also added a Mickey Moused extra ground wire between the Ex and the trailer. Before my haul, I'll probably find a better non-painted surface (or scrape one) and just twist a nice fat piece of copper wire between 'em both. Hope lightning isn't attracted. Do I need a lightning rod, too? lol
With the hitch on the ball, the extra ground wire, the $16 harness (and the twenty something 4-flat to 7-round (RV) adapter), ALL lights work as they should and I was able to tow the trailer to my home.
In retrospect, I'm torn between 'shoulda just paid a pro' to do it, and learning what's up and doing it myself. As a silver lining seeker, I'll bask in the glory of knowing that I now know more than I knew....and I learned some other important data not directly relevant to wiring, yet greatly important to towing.
My next concern was with high-tonguing the trailer since I'm on a bumper hitch. After standing back and looking at it, even though I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I am VERY happy with how close to level it is.
All-in-all...it's good news as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks to you all...
All my best,
--drcarl :exp:
