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Plug in wiring harness vs. dedicated circuit

Discussion in 'Towing' started by Dewey7015, Sep 28, 2011.

  1. Sep 28, 2011 at 4:04 PM
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    Dewey7015

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    Dewey7015 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys,
    I have an 09 DC, access cab. I am towing a small (under 10 feet) trailer with brake lights and side markers..
    My question is this, Will a plug in harness be enough? (2.1 amp capacity), or do i need to go with a dedicated circuit type system?
    This truck won't be pulling enclosed trailers with 100 different lights, just the basic.
    thanks in advance
    D.
     
    Dewey7015, Sep 28, 2011
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  2. Sep 28, 2011 at 4:10 PM
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    bjmoose

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    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    I recommend a setup that draws power from a dedicated battery wire no matter how small the trailer. They're not very expensive.
     
    bjmoose, Sep 28, 2011
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  3. Sep 28, 2011 at 4:27 PM
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    sechsgang

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    sechsgang Well-Known Member

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    2.1A @ 12V is about 25W.
    What is the wattage of the brake light bulbs? I bet it's at least 25W each. So no, I don't think that harness would be enough.

    Where would that plug in harness plug into?
     
    sechsgang, Sep 28, 2011
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  4. Sep 28, 2011 at 10:07 PM
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    Jerry Bear

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    Jerry Bear Well-Known Member

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    I agree with the Moose.
     
    Jerry Bear, Sep 28, 2011
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  5. Sep 29, 2011 at 2:58 AM
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    Dewey7015

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    Dewey7015 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The bottom of the package at walmart says 2.1 amp..
    Dedicated circuit it is then. You know the next ? Is coming... Anyone know where to get them? Is it called a trailer power inverter? Converter?
    Thanks again.
     
    Dewey7015, Sep 29, 2011
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  6. Sep 29, 2011 at 7:08 AM
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    hawking

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    hawking Member

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    Buy it from Toyota. As far as I understand, the OEM trailer wiring harness is the only option for a dedicated circuit. It plugs in to two plugs by the driver's kick panel (one for the converter box, the other for the actual wire), and adds a couple fuses as well as a single RELAY into the fuse panel under the hood. Should cost about $100. At the parts counter of your Toyota dealership, refer to it as a "trailer wiring harness".

    The really nice thing about this trailer wiring harness is that if you short something out on your trailer, it won't take out the truck's tail lights with it.

    Note that the tail lights (all of them) on the truck, run on a single 10 amp fuse. That includes brakes, signals, backup lights, and tail. It doesn't leave much for running a trailer.
     
    hawking, Sep 29, 2011
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  7. Sep 29, 2011 at 7:33 AM
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    skytower

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    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Etrailer.com
     
    skytower, Sep 29, 2011
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  8. Sep 29, 2011 at 9:20 PM
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    bjmoose

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    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    Yep.
     
    bjmoose, Sep 29, 2011
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  9. Sep 29, 2011 at 11:27 PM
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    Jerry Bear

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    Jerry Bear Well-Known Member

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    For a Gen 2 Tacoma which came without the factory towing package, the part number of the kit to add a 4-wire trailer socket is
    $150 08921-04960 Towing Wire Harness
    08921-04960. When I bought mine, the lowest price I could find was from a Toyota dealer on eBay. Just search titles and descriptions for that part number.
     
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    Jerry Bear, Sep 29, 2011
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  10. Sep 29, 2011 at 11:37 PM
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    Jerry Bear

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    Jerry Bear Well-Known Member

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    tint, topper, receiver hitch, trailer wiring, topper lighting, cruise control, intermittent wipers, backup camera, auto-dim mirror
    I have to disagree with you there. I have the 2010 Toyota Tacoma Electrical Wiring Diagram book in front of me. It says that:

    The backup lights are powered by the 10 Amp IG1 fuse.

    The stop lights are powered by the 10 Amp STOP fuse.

    The tail lights are powered by the 10 Amp TAIL fuse.

    The turn lights are powered by the 15 Amp TRN-HAZ fuse.


    The other Gen 2 Tacomas should be the same.
     
    Jerry Bear, Sep 29, 2011
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  11. Sep 30, 2011 at 3:32 AM
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    Dewey7015

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    Dewey7015 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    As always, a wealth of knowledge, along with multiple opinions. Love it!!
     
    Dewey7015, Sep 30, 2011
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  12. Sep 30, 2011 at 8:47 AM
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    skytower

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    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    You're better off with a dedicated power line from the battery. You need a converter for the turn signals anyway.
     
    skytower, Sep 30, 2011
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