Hitch Wiring for my '05

[Vibetastic]

Hey everyone. I just bought my 2005 Vibe back on July 5th. I really like this car. I am moving soon and was planning on installing a hitch and renting a small U-Haul trailer.I am confused about wiring kits needed for the trailer lights. Do these kits just plug into something on the car or do I have to cut and splice into my wiring?I have never towed anything with a car before so this is all new to me. The vehicle I replaced with my Vibe was a 1963 Corvair Greenbrier van. I could fit most of what I own into that. No need to tow anything.Thanks,Charles

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[cohocarl]

Here ya go: Trailer WiringWelcome to the Forum!!The link goes to the wiring up my '03, but I don't think anything has changed back there for an 05.

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by Vibetastic »... planning on installing a hitch...Here's a hitch install thread also: Hitch Install

[Vibetastic]

Wow! Thanks.I contacted hitchesonline.com about the wiring. The reply stated that they had a T-adaptor and that it "should require little or no splicing".That's not a very definite answer. I would prefer to find something that does not require me to modify the exhising wiring harness in the vehicle.I would also like to have the plug under the vehicle so i don't have to run the wiring through the rear hatch.Charles

[the_nite_owl]

As far as I have seen there are NO T-adaptors available for any wiring in a Vibe.Another thing to consider. I have not confirmed this myself but has been stated that U-Haul trailer wiring is different than typical wiring. Doublecheck that before you do your wiring.I will be wiring my hitch probably sometime next week. The wiring is pretty straight forward and the referenced link above gives you some good detail on it.Personally, I am going to look for a place to run the wires outside the car and mount the connector inside a small connector box on the hitch so that it will always be there when needed but enclosed in the box to help protect it from weather.Quote, originally posted by Vibetastic »Wow! Thanks.I contacted hitchesonline.com about the wiring. The reply stated that they had a T-adaptor and that it "should require little or no splicing".That's not a very definite answer. I would prefer to find something that does not require me to modify the exhising wiring harness in the vehicle.I would also like to have the plug under the vehicle so i don't have to run the wiring through the rear hatch.Charles

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by the_nite_owl »...and mount the connector inside a small connector box on the hitch so that it will always be there when needed but enclosed in the box to help protect it from weather.Kinda like this? Probably a good idea. Connector box

[the_nite_owl]

I have seen hitches with the enclosures for the connector on them before and thought they were a pretty good idea. Dangling wires under your car just do not set a good impression. Anyway, on etrailer.com they have a selection of different plates to mount your connector from, one rubber cover to protect the connector and one box that you can mount the connector into.The box is rectangular and I bought the Hidden Hitch round tube hitch but I am sure I can find somewhere to locate the box once I get the hitch all mounted up that will not be too obvious but still easy to reach.Will take pictures when I am done.Quote, originally posted by cohocarl »Kinda like this? Probably a good idea. Connector box

[the_nite_owl]

Turned out not so good.The box is MUCH larger than I thought it would be. Guess it is designed to not only hold the connector but a coil of wire as well.I wanted something low profile just to house the connector and I would run the trailer lights long enough to reach.I am not sure where I could mount this large box where it would not be grossly obvious but still easy to reach.Quote, originally posted by cohocarl »Kinda like this? Probably a good idea. Connector box

[the_nite_owl]

Installed a Hidden Hitch on my 05 AWD last night.Install is as easy as everyone says, exhaust has to be pushed to the side a little when doing up the bolts on that end but not too bad.The one problem is that my exhaust hangs just a little too close and under some conditions will rattle against the hitch mount on the driver side. I may try lightly heating and bending the exhaust pipe to give it another quarter inch or so, or finding something to stiffen the hanger pulling the muffler to the passenger side slightly.Hidden Hitch could have shortened the height of the mount by 1/4" welding the tube slightly higher and using a very slightly greater bend.It would probably have cleared up the exhaust clearance problems with no major difference on their end.

[the_nite_owl]

Finished the wiring last night.I placed the converter box inside the rear panel on the drivers side where I tapped the brake, left turn and running lamps. Ran the ground just below the panel crossing the back and weaved the right turn signal wire through the body and out the other side to tap into the right turn signal wire.I cut the external harness wires then fed them through the rubber grommet behind the bumper on the drivers side and re-connected them to the converter box. The harness will be permanently mounted somewhere along the hidden hitch once I figure out what to use for a small housing to hide/protect the connector.