Wiring for towing, is it a huge undertaking?

[roperteacher]

Hello! As in one of my other posts, my 06 3500 doesn't have the factory tow package ( 275. 00 feature). Therefore it doesn't have the Rear hitch receiver ( WHich doesn't bother me, I pull a gooseneck only). . it DOES have the 750 amp battery from the package. Only other component was the wiring harness. I am having the gooseneck hitch installed tuesday. Will they be able to hook up the wiring fairly easily if it is missing that stuff????





I did look under the back bumper and I did see where a set of wires was dangling there as if to connect to a trailer plug. DOes this mean my truck DOES have the witing it needs? THanks in advance!

 

[JApol]

I think the wires that you saw is the 4 pin harness. I have the 4 pin without the tow package.

I think that you will need to run more wire to get the trailer brakes tied in.

 

[klenger]

Dodge sells a wiring kit to add the 7 pin wiring. Should be an easy mod, but may take some time. Since you only tow a gooseneck, you could mount the 7-pin connector in the bed and not bother with the bumper connector.

 

[roperteacher]

Thanks!! I actually called a buddy of mine that is a DC tech. . he said that no matter what most of the 3500 trucks coem PRE-WIRED all the SAME no matter if you have the tow package or not. He said the cost ofd the 275 tow package was for the receiver hitch. He said NOT to EORRY about it not technically having the tow package, it will work just fine



Klenger, I always have my 7 prong RV plug mounted in the bed of the truck!

 

[JohnArnold]

I wired mine using the factory add-on kit -- it's not that bad. The hardest part was routing the cables over the fuel tank and whatnot. Maybe a 2-hr job.



-John

 

[roperteacher]

Thanks everyone! I made the appt to have my gooseneck hitch installed and they said they have all the kits to do the wiring if it needs it. No big deal! THanks!

 

[redfuelrules]

You can also buy a 4 pin to 7 pin kit at most auto parts stores. Then - if I remember correctly - all you have to do is hook up the blue line to your brake box, one hot wire and one ground.



I needed to do this to my brother's 04 3500 last year in order to move my excavator when my last truck crapped out on me... It might have taken 1 hr. including installing the brake box. All of the other wiring is already done, in the form of the factory 4 pin connector. That part just plugs in. I believe the 4 pin to 7 pin kit I used was made by Hoppy and I believe it was fairly cheap. He now tows with the truck all the time and has zero wiring problems.



Just one more option

 

[staarma]

I had to add the harness to my truck and the receiver as well because mine shipped without the tow package. It was a breeze to install. The only wierd part was the brake controller. It plugs into the connector to the side of the main connector under the dash by the e-brake. You do have to run some wires though outside of that but the kit is complete with everything. Reese makes an adaptor that allows you to tee into the 7 pin at the bumper with a connector set and harness that allows you to run that into your bed without any splicing, etc. I can get the part number for that piece if anyone is interested.

 

[roperteacher]

Thanks for all the replies! The truck went in this morning to have it all done. THese guys are really good. I don't mess with anything electrical!! LOLOLOL These guys are gooooood. Thanks again!

 

[roperteacher]

Just an FYI, Got the truck back from the shop. Gooseneck hitch was installed nicely as well as the "Draw Tite" brake box and wiring. They said that my 3500 didn't come with much other than the 4 plug wiring. Chrysler says that they do not pre-wire it because most people pull 5th wheels and Gooenecks ??? ANyway. First thing I did was hook it up to the trailer and went for a drive. Everything works beautifully. Oo.

 

[dezeldog]

GOOD!!! Glad to hear that you got everything takin care of and all is well. My 03 came all wired up so I didn't have to worry about all of that.



Jim

 

[roperteacher]

Actually my left Turn signal wasn't working and I thought it was my trailer plug, still might be, then out of curiosity I saw the post above where the guy had the same problem. At this point, I am all set, I will get it looked at eventually, but I also read in that thread where in Early 06 they replaced the turn fuses with a module or something. Mine was built in July 05 so I bet mine has the fuses. No big deal. I can live with the no left signal for right now...

 

[bighornram]

Mine came wired as I got the tow package but when I setup my fifth wheel I ran a separate 10 guage wire from an isolator under the hood to the harness on the side of the bed to facilitate battery charging in my trailer. The harness has a tiny wire for + to the trailer harness.