Help on wiring my Tow Vehicle to Elkmont lights and brakes

I'll very shortly be adding the wiring from my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee to work the brake/directional lights and electric brakes on my 2009 TM24 Elkmont. Any suggestions on what brands and stores (internet or local) to get a good quality kit to do this? Thanks!

[MudDog]

You might want to check out etrailer.com

With the Elkmont, you'll need the 7 pin Bargman connector

4 Pin gives you the basics (turn signals, brake lights and running lights).

The 3 extra pins on the 7 pin give you 12V charge, brake controller (for electric brakes) and AUX for backup lights.

You could get something like this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...eid=1998202616

and this to get to 7 pin:


http://www.etrailer.com/p-30717.html

If you don't already have one, you'll also need a brake controller....

As you are adding trailer wiring to your Jeep, I am going to assume that it does not have a factory installed tow package. This means that you are missing some fairly important mechanical things, HD brakes, high output alternator and Aux trans cooler ( not the standard small one). I would at a min add an aux trans cooler ( $100-$200) as there are some nylon valves in the trans cooler lines that can melt and stop working when the trans gets hot. It can result in damaging the trans. I destroyed mine in a 2000 Jeep GC pulling an 8X10 motorcycle trailer. When you add the 12V aux power wire from the fuse panel back to the 7 pin Bargman, use very heavy wire if you want it to able to be of any real use.

[Bill]

Bob is right. Before you start, be sure you know the basic tow capacity of your Jeep. The Grand Cherokee had a wide variety of submodels, engines, transmissions, and so forth. As near as I can tell, the trailer towing package was an option for all of them, and as Bob says, if your vehicle doesn't have wiring, it doesn't have the tow package. Without it, the vehicle may have a tow rating as low as 2000 pounds (4.0L I-6 engine), which is nowhere near adequate to the Elk. As usual, the phrase "when properly equipped" pops up, and is the key.

Bill