Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Please Note: This wiring harness will not work on vehicles with backup sensors!
If your vehicle has the tow package and backup sensors, use Modulite wiring harness 118551. Another option is to turn off the backup sensor with the switch in the car, and hardwire a standard 4-pole connector to the tow package plug in the back of the vehicle.
Tow Ready Tow Package Replacement Vehicle Wiring Harness by Draw-Tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese
Can be used with 5-pole, 6-pole or 7-pole adapters.
Installation: The connection point is located underneath the vehicle, behind the rear bumper on the driver's side. Connector will have a protective cap that will need to be removed. The 4-pole trailer connector will be stowed under the vehicle close to the trailer hitch. A mounting bracket is recommended.
Tech Tip: It is always a good idea to apply a small amount of grease to all electrical connections to help prevent corrosion.
Video of Tow Package Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today on this 2008 Ford Escape with tow package we will be installing wiring harness part number 118251. We are underneath the vehicle just on the driver side right behind the bumper. The plug in we are looking for to plug our wiring harness into is located right here. Most Escapes will have this plug here but if you do not have a tow package it likely will not be active. All we need to do is take and press the button on the top and that will allow us to unplug the harness away from the cap. We can then take our wiring harness and plug them together. 00:29
From there all we need to do is route the 4-pole over to the center of the vehicle and I am going to route it behind these fascia tabs and then just tie it off at the trailer hitch and your installation is complete. If you come back to the plug you can remount using the old hanger here. What we want to do is take and pull that out from the sheet metal and we can take a flat headed screw driver and we want to pry underneath the end part just enough so it releases off of the little tab built into the cap. Slide it out the back side. Look on the back side of the wiring harness and it has got the same type of set up that we just removed this from and just slide it right through the groove down into position. Now it is ready to be mounted back up into place. That will conclude the installation of wiring harness part number 118251 on a 2008 Ford Escape.
2008 - 2012 Ford Escape
2008 - 2011 Mercury Mariner
2008 - 2011 Mazda Tribute
Customers Who Purchased This Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring Also Bought...
Average Customer Rating: 
4.7 out of 5 stars (26 Customer Reviews)
by: Bast04/05/2011
Is this review helpful?
After going to every shop in town (including the dealer), e trailer came through with the part I needed and quick shipping, when no one else even knew what I was talking about. Their product video made it easy to install the part, too! I love this solution and the fact that I didn't have to splice into any break lights. Note of caution: The pre-wiring in the 2009 Escape is not powered, so you have to buy 3 relays (Ford part # 5L3Z-14N089-AA or package for all 3: 8L8T-15A416-AB). Make sure the relays have connection in your fuse panel first, though (locations 31C, D, and E). My Ford did not come with the OEM tow package, but the relays and this part worked great! 11116
by: SD.06/24/2009
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Caution!! Check your Fusebox!! Be very careful with this product, unless your fuse box has the recievers for the relays (which you have to buy extra from FORD!!), it will not work!! Even tho my 2008 Ford Escape had the wiring harness in back, I had to buy fuses and relays ($23/ea and you need 3 of them), my fusebox was NOT equiped with the recepticles for the relays OR fuses. I have to now go back and buy a different harness. I just wasted $15 and 2 weeks messing with this one. 2041
by: Jeff M03/07/2011
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Simple installation, works great on a Tribute '08. [The tough part was verifying my vehicle came with the appropriate pre-installed wiring and relays.]8654
by: Don11/26/2011
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I installed a hitch and harness on my 2008 Ford Escape. Everything fit perfectly with no modifications. I watched the e-trailer online video and installation was easy. The hitch and harness look great and add value to my vehicle.27387
by: Tom H.11/05/2011
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Great product and very easy to install. 26602
by: Scott W09/14/2011
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Very easy to install. 23933
by: Shawn K08/25/2011
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Very quick install, about 10 minutes. It is the perfect length. Easy to zip tie to bumper brackets. I tuck it away behind the rear bumper by wrapping it around the brackets. When I need it, I can just reach under and pull it out. It gives you about 15-18 inches of length from the rear bumper.22733
by: mike08/21/2011
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Fit great 22423
by: Chas. P08/08/2011
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I was blown away at the prices ($300-$400) I received to install a hitch on my vehicle (2008 Ford Escape) from 2 local shops. when I learned from etrailer.com (through your instructional video) how I could install the hitch myself I knew I was back in business. The hitch price was far cheaper and the installation was as simple as your video showed. All I needed was a 2nd pair of hands to help hold the hitch during installation and I borrowed a neighbors torque wrench. Now with my hitch installed I can finally get my boat and trailer to the lake!!21344
by: Dave S07/29/2011
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excellent product very reasonable with the price will buy from them again!!!!!20555
by: mark warner07/28/2011
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that was the product i ordered and it fit prefactly. thank you for the speedy shipping..20480
by: John H.07/22/2011
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Excellent on all points – quality, price and service! I ordered it on Thursday and received it on Monday. Good instructions and easy installation.19997
by: Webb W.07/06/2011
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Thanks for a excellent wiring harness It works great and the instructions were very easy to follow. I will keep you in my file of businesses that are a pleasure to deal with.18588
by: Doug06/20/2011
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Perfect Just what I needed to complete my tow package. Thanks17478
by: Bernadette B06/09/2011
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The product worked exactly like the instructions said and it was $60.00 cheaper than ordering it through the local parts house.16639
by: Matt C06/09/2011
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Overall a good experience, it should list some where that the tow package is required from the factory in order for this harness to work. As all escapes and tributes are wired from the factory, but they don't necessarily have the left turn, right turn and break light relays in the fuse box for towing (fuses 31c,d, and e). E-trailer has a good website, customer service and products though, and I would buy from them again.16613
by: Keith05/30/2011
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Harness was easy to install. I checked that I had the relays for the trailer wiring already installed before ordering. Plug in harness and you are done.15718
by: Wayne S.05/26/2011
Is this review helpful?
Everything arrived at one time (Ordered 5 items). Nothing was damaged. All the items were the correct parts for my truck. The parts were very easy to bolt on, with easy to follow directions! All hardware was in the package, nothing missing or damaged. The hitch looks great, the wiring harness plugged right in! Everything worked the first time!!!!! I can honestly say that I'm happy!!! Thanks!15446
by: Wayne S.05/26/2011
Is this review helpful?
Everything arrived at one time (Ordered 5 items). Nothing was damaged. All the items were the correct parts for my truck. The parts were very easy to bolt on, with easy to follow directions! All hardware was in the package, nothing missing or damaged. The hitch looks great, the wiring harness plugged right in! Everything worked the first time!!!!! I can honestly say that I'm happy!!! Thanks!15445
by: Allen G.05/04/2011
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Great Product, great service, one of the easier online places to deal with.12910
by: Kevin03/04/2011
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Wire harness plug right in just like it said it would and was very simple to install. The hardest part was removing the cap from the factory connection which is differant then most Ive seen but no big deal. However it only comes with two small zip ties so I ended up using my own.8450
by: Andy01/26/2011
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Just what is needed. Price is right and they have the fastest shipping anywhere.6158
by: satified12/23/2010
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trailer wiring conector great product, easy install, less than five min,test and all. good price, and recieved one day early.don't get any better. THANKS!4503
by: Dan V12/18/2010
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Hidden hitch & wire harness The hidden hitch tow package and wiring harness was amazingly easy to install. The support staff are impecable and the prices are great. This website had everything I needed at great prices. Thanks ETrailer!4341
by: Scott R.04/05/2010
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Perfect fit on 2009 Tribute V6 I purcahsed this adapter for use with my 2009 Mazda Tribute V6 AWD. To use it, you must also purchase 3 relays, which I bought from a Ford dealer ("tow relay kit" for the 2009 Escape). My vehicle fusebox was prewired for the relays, so after installing them, I added this adapter to the factory wiring point behind the bumper. Works perfectly and a nice and clean OEM-like solution. 2908
by: Wm W02/26/2009
Is this review helpful?
ease of use of product The products were can in the with instructions. The project took about 45 minsThe company has great customer service.1609
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