Towing wiring harness different on 05?

[Blakers]

Yesterday I decided to replace the broken trailer light plug on the bumper of my 05 2500. I took the one off my wrecked 03 and figured it would be an easy switch. Well, it turned out the one on the 05 is aftermarket and completely different. Then I unwrapped all the tape and found only 4 of the 7 wires are even hooked up, and there are only 4 wires in the wire loom going to the connector.

Why is this? My other truck has 7 wires and was a plug and play inside the cab forhooking up a brake controller. Does this mean the 05 was not ordered with a towing package, even though it has towing mirrors? I can't believe they would supply different wire harnesses for towing vs non-towing packages.

I'm just glad I didn't go out and hook up for a camping trip thinking I was all set with brakes, only to find no brake connection.

 

[Ozymandias]

My 04.5 has 7 wires too.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Tow mirrors are NOT part of the towing package, always a separate item, for any mfg, any year.

You could get the dealer parts dept to run the VIN in the computer and print you a build sheet for each vehicle, It will show what packages you have.

I do know with the introduction of the full canbus system in 2007 the tail lights were very different than before, but not sure about earlier ones.

Charles

 

[slowmover]

Yesterday I decided to replace the broken trailer light plug on the bumper of my 05 2500. I took the one off my wrecked 03 and figured it would be an easy switch. Well, it turned out the one on the 05 is aftermarket and completely different. Then I unwrapped all the tape and found only 4 of the 7 wires are even hooked up, and there are only 4 wires in the wire loom going to the connector.

Why is this? My other truck has 7 wires and was a plug and play inside the cab forhooking up a brake controller. Does this mean the 05 was not ordered with a towing package, even though it has towing mirrors? I can't believe they would supply different wire harnesses for towing vs non-towing packages.

I'm just glad I didn't go out and hook up for a camping trip thinking I was all set with brakes, only to find no brake connection.

My ‘04 had the mirrors and welded hitch receiver. As purchased (second owner) was 4-way and I had dealer install 7-way adapter kit. Which was correct length only for shortbed. Needed wire lengths added for LB. On which dealer tech screwed me. Scotch-loks and yanked tight. Was in a hurry to move and paid for this shoddiness not noted till much later.

Having to re-do mine (corrosion).

Figured I would try this on my ‘04 as it’s not convenient for me to build from scratch (preferred); from engine-bay and rearwards.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/55504
Comments are that the OEM fuse center parts fail; this bypasses.

Later trucks take other kits.
Maybe: https://www.tekonsha.com/FitGuides/Electrical

Tail-light OEM plug & wiring were also corroded. New MOPAR was first step. And (of course) new circuit board lamp-holders.

May as well be comprehensive.
Dodge didn’t do a good job, at all.

In time I’d like to go back and do a relay-triggered system.

Xtra-brite trailer lights are an “expectation” of today’s poor on-road drivers. LED, but still very good voltage measured. No one can see incandescent any more.

These are quite noticeable. 1/3 reduction in tail-enders.
https://www.bulktransporter.com/equ...-exemption-request-for-pulsating-brake-lights




.

 

[Blakers]

I can’t believe it was an economic advantage to build different wiring harnesses for tow package and non tow package trucks. How much would they save by using three less wires?

So what’s the best work-around? Just run new wires for the brakes? I’m sure there are kits out there.

It’s been years since I’ve had to install a trailer brake controller, so I’m not up on the latest.

 

[Ozymandias]

Other question.

Is the wiring harness and plug for the brake conteoller above your ebrake pedal?
Blue plug?

If so the rest must be somewhere too, maybe inside the wiring looms at the back of your truck.
So were mine

Build sheet can be downloaded somewhere on the Mopar site - free.
Got the the sheets for all my Mopar vehicles through that.

Do a really thorough search before you start to run wires all over the truck.

 

[AnonEd]

Tow mirrors are NOT part of the towing package, always a separate item, for any mfg, any year.

This may be the case with recent HD trucks but having driven several trucks with a "tow package" that included towing mirrors it isn't universal. The "trailer-tow group" on a non-lux 2025 Ram 1500 includes trailer towing mirrors, among other things. Tow mirrors are offered standalone on Limited models and up.

 

[Blakers]

Other question.

Is the wiring harness and plug for the brake conteoller above your ebrake pedal?
Blue plug?
.

YES! The blue plug is there. Same as in my 03 where my Jordan Ultima brake controller plugs in.

 

[Ozymandias]

Means the wires must be somewhere in your tail harness too.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Those trailer wires are controlled by relays in the fuse box. They are not direction connection from tail lights. Separate fuses and the relays and separate wiring.

Charles

 

[bcbender]

Well, it turned out the one on the 05 is aftermarket and completely different. Then I unwrapped all the tape and found only 4 of the 7 wires are even hooked up, and there are only 4 wires in the wire loom going to the connector.

Sounds very likely that some hack re-did the Dodge bros. good work to a hap hazard standard. I would do as Ozzy said and unravel some more of the rear harness to reveal the other wires that may have been damaged, ripped out, who knows why someone hacked in and replaced it with a PRC special.

 

[Blakers]

Means the wires must be somewhere in your tail harness too.

Where can I find a wiring schematic for the 05?
I count 12 wires in the wire loom next to the spare tire on my 05. I count 16 on my 03, which definitely has the towing package. But does this mean anything as there are other differences on the truck?
If anyone has an 05, can you count the wires at that point?
Thanks.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Wiring schematics are in the factory shop manual, at least they are for my '03. You usually can find the shop manuals on Ebay. I got a set that was not in the best condition, but all there, for a good price. I won't own a vehicle without the factory manuals.

After I got my truck I found the original owner had installed a jackleg goose neck trailer ball by laying a huge piece of channel steel across the frame rails and welding it down to them, then set the bed back on top of it. That was a weeks worth of work removing the bed, cutting that off and carefully grinding the welds down without touching the base metal of the frame, and doing a metal treatment and repaint in that area, plus sealing the hole in the bed. During the course of this, I removed a spliced in 6 pin wire connector in the bed. I had to open up the harness and using Raychem permanent heat shrink sealant sealed splices, I put all of the wires back together, eliminating the corrosion that had worked its way up the wires an eighth inch or so. Two wires had to have short pieces spliced in. That too was a lot of work.

Charles

 

[Blakers]

Wiring schematics are in the factory shop manual, at least they are for my '03. You usually can find the shop manuals on Ebay. I got a set that was not in the best condition, but all there, for a good price. I won't own a vehicle without the factory manuals.
.

Charles

I have the entire service manual for my 03 on CD-ROM. Where can I get one for the 05?

 

[Ozymandias]

Google it, I always found that stuff as a PDF to download.

 

[Topzide]

https://www.genosgarage.com/product...l-dfsm05-usb/dodgeram-factory-service-manuals

 

[Blakers]

I found a source to download the Service Manual on pdf for $5. https://www.onlymanuals.com/dodge/ram

I was going to buy the thumb drive from Geno's, but $9.95 for shipping? Come on!