18 5.0TA rear 2" hitch wiring?

[PM15283]

Getting ready for these snowbirds to head from AZ to MN. Have a small utility trailer we were planning to take along using the 2" receiver at the rear of the TA. Discovered there is no wiring to provide brake and turn signal lights Anyone know of a fix?

[Jim Bennett]

They don't supply wiring, as that receiver is designed primarily for bike racks, or cargo carriers. Do be careful what you tow, and ensure it is legal where you are double towing as it varies in all provinces and states.

You would just have to tie in to the existing trailer wiring with a harness. Not too tough to do, I did it for my cargo carrier.

[PM15283]

Thanks, Jim.

[rubicon327]

I’m sure you can easily intercept the wiring near the rear. Make sure to confirm your wire functions. My factory 4 pin was wired wrong and I learned why...
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post145608

[John in Santa Cruz]

double trailer braking could get hard to balance... like assuming the rear trailer is a lot lighter than the main, having your brakes adjusted for not quite locking up the main trailer, the 2nd trailer could easily lock up, and slide around in a hard stop, scary.

commercial rigs with double trailers tend to use air brakes.

[Brian B-P]

I assumed that the original post's reference to "brake" was only to the lights: stop lamps, also known as brake lights. My guess is that the intention is to use a 4-pin electrical connection and to have no brakes on the utility trailer. I could be mistaken...

[Iowa Dave]

On my Highlander hitch, I have the seven pin and the “four flat” side by side. They are both “hot”. I use the “four flat” when towing my utility trailer. So I dont see why a person couldn’t get a four wire harness like HOPPY makes and tie it back to the second trailer running it under the Escape with zip ties to put “Turn, stop and tail” to the back of the trailer. That said, I personally would be extremely hesitant to tow the second trailer off the rear hitch on the Escape from a strength, legal and liability standpoint.
Iowa Dave

[PM15283]

My plan is to leave the utiliy trailer empty. It has no braking and is quite lightweight. With fresh rubber and moderate speed (approx. 65 mph max.), all interstate driving.

[gbaglo]

I can picture that utility trailer flailing from side to side. Hope you catch a glimpse of it in your mirrors before it's gone.

[PM15283]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I can picture that utility trailer flailing from side to side. Hope you catch a glimpse of it in your mirrors before it's gone.

I've towed it on 5 previous trips (1800 miles each) w/o incident directly behind the truck. I could easily put a small amount of weight at the front of the trailer to increase the tongue weight. Have had no issues with fishtailing previously.

Phil

[gbaglo]

I expect that would help.

[PM15283]

Added about 100 lbs to front of tiny trailer to guarantee tongue weight and checked regs for each state between AZ and MN. Only thing strange - MN requires the second trailer to be carrying recreational gear - presumably boat, dirtbike, and such.

Left the Thurs. before Easter. 68-70 mph showed 10 mpg so 62 mph(at 14 mpg) it was! Little trailer didn't so much as twitch. Safely home at a bit over 1800 miles on schedule (almost!).