Why Do Some Vehicles Need a Converter to Add Trailer Wiring Like a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country
Updated 04/13/2020 | Published 10/24/2014
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Why do you need a converter box for a 2001 TandC, what does it do? Could you use a fuse and wire straight in?
asked by: Jerry
Expert Reply:
Converters are required when a vehicle has what is called a 3-wire or separate lighting system. These systems will have turn signal circuits that are separate from the brake light circuits.
Trailers use a 2-wire or combined system meaning the brake lights and turn signals are on the same circuit.
A converter is needed to take the separate signals from the vehicle and combine them so that the trailer lights operating on a combined system will work properly. Wires and fuses connected directly to the vehicle tail lights will not work because trailers in the US do not have separate turn signals from the brake lights.
With that said, you do not have to hardwire in a converter on your 2001 Chrysler Town and Country. There are harnesses that just plug right into a factory wiring harness. I recommend Tow Ready harness # 118376 for this type of harness.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Vehicle End Connector
- Powered Converter
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- Splice-In
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit
- Shop: Stealth Hitches Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver w/ Towing Kit - Custom Fit - 2"
- Shop: Stealth Hitches Hidden Rack Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Shop: Tekonsha Tail Light Converter with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Search Results: 119250kit
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Q&A: Why Does Trailer Wiring Harness have to Connect to battery on a 2011 to 2016 Toyota Sienna
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: Best Recommended Trailer Hitch Receiver For a 2023 Tesla Model 3
- Search Results: 119250
- Search Results: 119178kit
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch and Wiring for a 2007 Saturn Vue
- Video: Trailer Wiring Harness Installation - 2006 Honda Element
- Video: Mount: T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector on a 2003 Saturn Vue
- Video: Tekonsha Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring - Trailer Hitch Wiring - 119250KIT Review
- Q&A: How to Get Separate Turn Signals and Brake Lights to Work on a Trailer
- Q&A: Wiring Configuration for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195
- Q&A: Wiring Diagram and Instructions for a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
- Search Results: motorcycle dolly
- Search Results: motorcycle hauler
- Search Results: motorcycle carrier
- Video: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector: The Breakdown
- Article: Troubleshooting 4 and 5-Way Wiring Installations
- Article: How to Install a Brake Controller on Chevrolet / GMC 1999-2006 Pickups
on Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
Barry
4/10/2020
Do you have a connection system that will work on motorcycle and tent trailer.