Hi all, I've been registered here since 2012. I searched the forum but didn't find a simple answer thread. I'll tell you my predicament and be brief:
I own a 2012 FJ MT6 with the factory towing package option. It has the Toyota hitch receiver and what looks like the 4-pole harness connector hanging under the rear bumper. My FJ is otherwise stock.
I suddenly have a new Forest River R-Pod 179 travel trailer that has electric brakes and requires a 7-pole harness on the tow vehicle.
I haven't picked up the new trailer yet, nor have I done anything about the harness requirements except scare myself with reading that account on Jalopnik of the poor fellow in Texas whose FJ burnt to a cinder because of an improperly-installed wiring harness that was apparently spliced into his taillights 'the cheap way' so as to avoid proper 7-pole harness.
I have to tow this trailer on the week of May 18th 2015 from Northern Nevada down to Scottsdale AZ.[/U] As you can see, time is running out. I have to move fast and I don't know much about towing/trailering/hitches/tow harnesses. I'm absolutely slammed with work don't have any time to investigate this very much and I'm going to have to pay to have any modifications done to the FJ to support towing this new trailer.
Questions:
(Post links to forum posts if you can help me find a thread I didn't see, please)
Anything you can do to help is appreciated! I'm sort of in a panic and a rush. I'm very busy with work before the holiday coming up and the trip to Scottsdale AZ.
I own a 2012 FJ MT6 with the factory towing package option. It has the Toyota hitch receiver and what looks like the 4-pole harness connector hanging under the rear bumper. My FJ is otherwise stock.
I suddenly have a new Forest River R-Pod 179 travel trailer that has electric brakes and requires a 7-pole harness on the tow vehicle.
I haven't picked up the new trailer yet, nor have I done anything about the harness requirements except scare myself with reading that account on Jalopnik of the poor fellow in Texas whose FJ burnt to a cinder because of an improperly-installed wiring harness that was apparently spliced into his taillights 'the cheap way' so as to avoid proper 7-pole harness.
I have to tow this trailer on the week of May 18th 2015 from Northern Nevada down to Scottsdale AZ.[/U] As you can see, time is running out. I have to move fast and I don't know much about towing/trailering/hitches/tow harnesses. I'm absolutely slammed with work don't have any time to investigate this very much and I'm going to have to pay to have any modifications done to the FJ to support towing this new trailer.
Questions:
(Post links to forum posts if you can help me find a thread I didn't see, please)
- So what do I need to do about the harness, and do it up right, already considering I have whatever the factory Toyota towing harness amounts to? I am aware of the need for a trailer brake gizmo inside the vehicle. I'm looking at a Tekonsha of some kind.
- What do I need to avoid doing or letting the harness installer do? I don't at all plan on doing this wiring job myself. I did see an installation video on etrailer.com (Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser) covering some of this.
Anything you can do to help is appreciated! I'm sort of in a panic and a rush. I'm very busy with work before the holiday coming up and the trip to Scottsdale AZ.