Just a Hitch/wiring???

rickm · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:11 am

A power inverter? I don't know why you would need an inverter to run trailer lights. A power inverter converts DC voltage to AC voltage and more specifically, it would covert your 13.8 volts DC in your car to 120 Volts AC.

Tail light circuits may not handle the additional load of trailer lights. They are on seperate fuses and I assume a seperate circuit.

Tail lights are on fuse M18

Trailer lights are on fuse M2 for lighting, and M4... I assume for brakes.

Anyway, they are listed in the owners manual on page 438 and 439.

MNKK · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:25 am

maybe it wasn't inverter. :oops:

It was supposedly something to increase the power that has to travel to the rear of the vehicle from the dash area. Which says that they no longer "T" into the taillights in the rear. Maybe they need to start using a larger guage wire if that is the case. My dad had this problem with our boat actually. they set up the wiring for the trolling motor from the rear under the deck to the front. They used some pretty small wire to run that through, and it kept on frying the boards. the second one that minn kota sent him they asked to find out what gauge was powering it... they almost doo doo themselves when they found out. It was supposed to be either 10 or 12, and they told the boat dealer that before. He opted to make the change himself. Hes not one to trust people with his boat. or car, or anything really. Just thought that i would share that. Its a really slow day at work.

PS. when i search for wiring harness' online, I don't seem to find any that cost nearly this much, nor do they mention having the dealer scan tool for the job completion.

I should have just labeled this post "noob Q&A" :lol:

MNKK · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:17 am

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~118421.h ... 2008106022

I was wrong. The pic is the only one that i can find that suggests the hitching post was right. Circuit protected tail light converter. But it isnt a hundred bucks. I think i might try it.

bigmooze · **Posted:** Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:50 pm

MNKK,

I'm interested to find out how you make out with that converter. I took a look at it myself since I going to add a hidden hitch to the back of my KK and need the electrical equipment for the trailer lights. Let us know how it works.
Thanks.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:12 pm

the place that installed mine spliced in the taillights for the power for the harness. I can't give you too many specs on it right now since I'm out of town. Also I haven't towed anything yet to test it out either.

MNKK · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:26 am

I will be calling some places on monday, but I think I will order the wiring, and hitch sometime in the next week.
I looked at the install on one of the websites I found, and both me and my dad agree. They show the actual KK on the diagram. SO, In theory... It should work! and the Install for the hitch is going in my way.
Im not sure why, but they do not send washers for the top side. between the nuts and the subframe? just for the bottom (bolt, washer, hitch hole, frame hole, nut.) did not sound good enough to me. I think there should be a washer between nut and frame hole. Let me know if I am not making sense here. I will post links.

btw. It is a Curt hitch. I don't think that matters, but you know.. :wink:

Hitch 129.95
Wire harness 44.95
Free shipping.

How much of a drop do I want on the ball mount. anyone know? Im thinking 2-4" should be good, but Im not positive.

bigmooze · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:09 am

MNKK, regarding the washers between the nuts and the sub-frame... I think the nuts are welded on the top surface of the sub-frame, so there would be no way to install the washers, hence them not being supplied. That's how it looked from the installation diagrams I looked at anyway.

MNKK · **Posted:** Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:15 pm

ohhhh! Great catch!. I so did not see that! thanks man. I kinda thought it would be a trick to get my hands in there. lol. THank you!

MNKK · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:44 pm

Installed tow hooks today. I was rudely awakened by the neighbors new purchase. so much for sleeping before work tonight. But suprise!!! Neighbors (next to my bedroom window) bought a nice new shiny DRIVEWAY!!!!!! Only they have to take the other one out first...no sleep for me. So, I used the time to install tow hooks.

rider586 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:15 pm

MNKK wrote:

ohhhh! Great catch!. I so did not see that! thanks man. I kinda thought it would be a trick to get my hands in there. lol. THank you!

Being a past Hitch installer I have rarely seen washers in the inside of the sub frame. But you wanted them check with you local hitch shop. Rigid used to offer washers with a piece of steell wire welded to it thus you could put a bend in the wire then fish the washer into positon and then do the same with the nut. I used to keep some on hand for such use.

As far as the powered converters go the Mopar one is the better unit , alot of the aftermarket converters work fine but involve more wiring. I hated doing certain Volvo's and Toyota SUV's cause sure it would be 90% Plug and play but the last 10% of usually running the power wire back up to the front of the car took the longest.

If you do have Hitiching Post or some other place put the wiring in, have them solder and tape the connections. Most places use suit case connectors and those IMO have no place in a car, the 3m ones with the sealant in them are tolerable but it is all about the bottom line and most places do use those or solder the connections.

BTW the Tow Hooks Rock , I threw mine on last weekend only took 20 min and are a nice touch.

bigmooze · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:20 pm

Okey dokey, I want to jump on this tow-hook bandwagon, lol, since I don't have them factory installed - where did you get yours, rider586?

rider586 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:26 pm

Part # is 82206124 from Jeep. Retail is around 101.00 , average street price seems to be around 70-75ish

MNKK · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:38 am

No, I am just going to do this all myself. No one needed to install, I am jsut being lazy. I have all the necessary tools. (and the right ones, if you want to look at it that way) I really just did not want to do it. But labor is just so d@mn expensive.
BTW, the hitch came in the mail today, sometime while I was at a training thing. I had gotten a break, and my phone was full of missed calls from the misses. She was a bit "miffed" lol. No biggie, but it was kind of funny explaining that she told me I could. Err in my translation of what she said anyway.. :lol:

MNKK · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:43 am

Okay...Its all in for the most part. I just have to go to my sisters house tomorrow and re-torque them down. All in all. the hooks were the hardest things to do. I kept getting dirt in my mouth.

But I did the hitch and wiring earlier today. both of them only took me about 45 mins, with the phone ringing and ringing. and so on.
What drop is everyone using for ball mount? I found one that is pretty good, but expensive. My dad uses it for his boat, and really likes it.
But its not enough drop for me to use. (steal).

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:58 pm

well it would just depend on what you are towing. You can go to wally word and get what ever you want for 20 bucks..

rider586 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:51 am

I'm running a 3" drop for the ball mount, works well with my Utility trailer, my boat, and moving trailers around the shop with all seem to be about level.

lemonboy · **Posted:** Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am

rider586 wrote:

Part # is 82206124 from Jeep. Retail is around 101.00 , average street price seems to be around 70-75ish

i

Just to confirm, is this the P# for the hooks that specifically fit the 08s?

[/getting the runaround from the dealer on installing all of the parts that come with the skids]

rider586 · **Posted:** Fri May 02, 2008 1:25 am

That is the part# for the 08 Tow Hooks

MNKK · **Posted:** Fri May 02, 2008 2:05 am

They dont have any difference, 08 is 07's.

lemonboy · **Posted:** Fri May 02, 2008 3:09 pm

thanks for the info you guys.

Just a Hitch/wiring???

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