/
Curt/
Custom Fit/
Trailer Hitch Wiring/
4 Flat/
Powered ConverterItem # C56181
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Our Price: $56.95
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Quickly and easily install a 4-way trailer connector on your vehicle with this custom harness. T-connector plugs directly into existing wiring. Powered converter reduces strain on wiring system and is made using SMT to ensure superior performance.
Features:
Specs:
Note: This wiring cannot be installed if your vehicle has a rear air conditioning unit.
Installation
This custom-fit T-connector plugs into your vehicle's wiring harness, which is located behind your tail lights. To access these connection points, you will have to remove your rear scuff panel. Once you've plugged in the T-connector, run the hot lead up to your car battery. Connect the lead to the included fuse holder, and then connect the fuse holder to the positive terminal on your battery.
Once installation is complete, the 4-way connector will be stowed in an out-of-the-way location in your rear cargo area.
It is recommended that you use a small amount of grease on all electrical connections - the plugs on your automobile and the 4-pole connector itself - to help prevent corrosion.
A tail light converter is built into this T-connector. This converter is a circuit-protected, battery-powered unit that bypasses the electrical routes that are used by a basic wiring harness. As a result, there is virtually no draw on your tail light circuits.
Curt builds each tail light converter using surface-mount technology (SMT). This method of construction involves soldering electronic components directly to the surface of a printed circuit board. SMT eliminates the need for leads, which are used in older through-hole technology. The result is a circuit board that is smaller yet provides more routing area and that offers superior performance, reliability and durability.
Circuit boards constructed using SMT have been shown to perform better under rough conditions with excessive vibration than those made using the through-hole method. And where would vibration be more likely to occur than in towing applications? Curt converters also produce less heat, leading to increased durability and longer life. In addition, lower levels of resistance ensure better performance, especially for parts that operate at higher frequencies.
Each Curt circuit board is made using high-quality components that are pieced together in the most technologically savvy fashion, leading to greater predictability and reliability in functioning.
Installation Details 
2013 - 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
2018 - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse Limited
2013 - 2017 Chevrolet Traverse without factory connector
2018 - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse Limited without factory connector
California residents: click here
Video of Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today on our 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, we're going to be taking a look at and installing the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector. Part number C56181. Here's what this wiring is going to look like once it's installed on the vehicle. As you can see, we've got our 4-pole power here at the hitch and this wiring harness is going to do a great job of just that, giving you that 4-pole power here so that you can power your trailer or cargo carrier. This kit uses T-connectors behind the tail lights in order to get the signal for the power. It does run a 12 volt power wire directly to the positive side of the battery so that the module box can take it's power from there as opposed to using the power coming off of the signals behind the taillights.
Because this module box is drawing it's power from the battery that's going to help to protect your vehicle's electrical system because it's not over drawing from your vehicle, but rather directly from the battery. If you want something that's going to do a great job of providing the power that you need, but also not run the risk of damaging the wiring on your vehicle, this kit's going to be a great one to do just that. Now, let's show you how to install it. First thing we'll need to do is remove our taillight assemblies. We'll have to take the cover off on each of these and you can use a flat head screwdriver. Get underneath and pull it out and turn them down so that you've got access to the screw.
You'll need a seven millimeter socket. Pull both screws out and grab onto the taillight and begin to pulling straight towards the rear of the vehicle and that'll release from the alignment tabs. Here we've got our connector, we'll need to push down the tab. It's on the backside of that. If you have a little bit of trouble you can take your screwdriver, just pry off that small metal clip.
The tab on this has this little red locking mechanism that you'll need to pull out that way it will allow you to depress that tab and release it. I'll go to the other side and do that same thing. Now use a fish wire, which I'm going to use a piece of old airline tubing and feed it down along the inside of the fascia so that it comes out the bottom. I've used some electrical tape to tape my wiring harness that has the yellow, red, and brown in the T-connector and I taped it to the end of that airline tubing so then I'll be able to carefully pull this up to that opening for the taillight. Then I'll take my connector and make the connection with the factory wiring harness on the vehicle. Now's a good opportunity for us to use a self tapping screw that comes with the kit to secure our ring terminal on the white wire to the body as our ground.
You want to be sure wherever you choose to mount yours that there's nothing behind there that may get damaged like wiring. Now we can make the connection with the other side of our T-connector at the back of the taillight and reinstall our taillight. When you put all these connections together you want to be sure to push those red tabs down because the new wiring harness does come with those factory style tabs. Next I routed the green wire with the T-connector across from the box. I used fish wire to run it through the bumper rail, came out the other side of the bumper rail, and then used the same fish wire to go up towards that passenger's side taillight. Now, I'll begin making my connections with the green T-connector. Then I'll reinstall our taillight. Now I'll connect our length of black wire to the black wire that comes off our module box. Strip the end back. We'll use the yellow butt connector that comes with the kit and crimp that down. Then we'll crimp that to the other end of the black wire. Now's a good time for us to mount our module box. Take a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wipe down the location that I'm going to use just up on the body panel here. On one side we need to take our double sided sticky tape and put it on through the module box and then we'll peel the other side off and then stick it into the location that we cleaned. Then I'll take some electrical tape and wrap up my butt connector to help prevent moisture getting in there and corroding the connection. Now we can take our black power wire and route it towards the battery. How I routed that black power wire is I brought it through up here so that I can make sure to keep it away from anything moving or anything hot like the exhaust. Run it up over tying it along the inside of the frame rail there, going up towards that rear cross member. Went over that cross member and secured it with a zip tie, kept coming down, and then ran it down along the inside of the heat shield here on the fuel tank and then ran it across over here, over this heat shield, and then just up there is the grommet for the battery vent. This is the battery box inside the vehicle, so I ran it through that grommet up there to the battery. You will want to be sure to go back and zip tie any excess wire that you have so that way it doesn't possibly rub against something and rub through to damage the wire. Here's where that wire comes through up to the battery. Now I'll strip the end of my power wire back so that I'll be able to connect my inline fuse holder. I'll install one end of the other yellow butt connector on my black power wire, then I'll install one end of my inline fuse holder. On the other end of my inline fuse holder I'll put this yellow ring terminal on. Then I'll take my ring terminal and bring it over towards my positive battery terminal, place it over that stud there. Then you'll need to find a nut and then tighten it down. Finally I'll take my 10 amp fuse and install it into the fuse holder. Then I'll put the dust cap on. now I'll reinstall our battery cover. This screw is going to use a T20 torque bit. We'll replace our cover over the font of the seat tracks. It'll just clip down into place there. Then we'll fold our floor mats back over. I routed the 4-pole wiring from the edge of the bumper rail and zip tied the extra up out of the way and came across where it comes down then over to the receiver and secured it to the safety chain connection point using the dust cap. Now with everything installed and hooked up let's go ahead and test it to make sure everything's working. We're going to use part number I26 in order to do that. First let's check our taillights. Left turn signal, right turn signal, and brake lights. With everything working properly we're ready to plug our trailer in and hit the road. That's going to complete our look at and installation of the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector. Part number C56181 on our 21016 Chevrolet Traverse.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (53 Customer Reviews)
Quickly and easily install a 4-way trailer connector on your vehicle with this custom harness. T-connector plugs directly into existing wiring. Powered converter reduces strain on wiring system and is made using SMT to ensure superior performance.As with all tasks around my house, I have to do things myself. Installing this 13424 receiver hitch on a 2015 Chevy Traverse LTZ was no exception. The biggest challenge was loosening the dual muffler rubber hangers, 2 per side. The other issue was how to hold this 25-50lb receiver hitch with one hand while screwing in the bolts. By creating a third hand, the whole process took me about an hour. Fit beautifully, well made and solid. Fun part - the carriage bolt fish wires. Just need to have the wiring harness installed by a professional. Did that myself on an old vehicle and some years later sent my dashboard lights into a tizzy because the device got wet and shorted. I would buy a CURT product again. 228646
Arrived in 2 days. Watched the video and followed the steps. No issues. 705502
We installed the hitch and tow package on our Chevy Traverse. Installation was very straight forward and the guidance provided was on-point. Everything worked perfectly from day 1 and a year later we are still in great shape. 666007
The trailer hitch was fairly easy for my husband to install on my Chevy Treverse and has served its purpose well. We have a 6ft trailer we hook to the back for hauling firewood and items for projects. We have been very happy with the quality, prices and delivery time of all the products we have ordered from etrailer. 640230
Easy plug and play harness! Recommend using more weather proof connectors though. Great installation video to ease installation! When installing this will need mechanics wire to help "fish" wiring through rear bumper support as described in video. 614093
I ended up cutting thru to tail lights with a hole saw to get the connectors thru into the tail light recesses they fill the hole with shoe goo to seal. It really worked better than it sounds. My LTZ has rear heat/AC on on one side and power hatch lift on the other so the connectors for hitch wiring were not accessable. i did connect into the rear power plug for 12V power for the relay so I didnt have to run all the way to the battery. 610492
A powered taillight converter should draw its power from a direct connection to the vehicle battery, but will gain its switching information via its connection to the vehicles taillight harness or tow package connector. Years ago, taillight circuits in vehicles used higher gauge wire and had enough capacity to handle the draw of the vehicle taillights as well as those of a trailer. Now that the price of copper has gone through the roof and vehicle manufacturers try to save all the weight and expense they can, the taillight circuits use smaller gauge wire that can handle the load from the vehicle taillights but not much else. Drawing the power directly from the battery also serves to isolate the tow vehicles sensitive electronics from any short circuits that might occur in the trailer wiring. Connecting the converters power feed anywhere other than the battery or where the converters manufacturer recommends can leave your vehicles electrical system exposed to possible damage.
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Mike L - 03/06/2019Installed at night without a ton of light and still went on a 2014 traverse pretty easily. It's been over a year with northern illinois weather and no problems. 607756
Exactly as pictured and what I ordered. Arrived early very satisfied. 599306
I started with a "this will work kit" from my local parts store...turns out it was only for a Traverse that comes with towing package, which I do not have...out $40. Next I stumble across this harness from etrailer... exactly what I needed! Quick shipping and super great instructions with photos specific to install to my traverse...all the way down to which screws to turn. Plugs into the taillights plus a hot wire from the battery. 599059
Curt makes great trailering products and etrailer.com makes customer service a breeze. Installation was simple and took less time than I guessed. The available installation video was spot on for how to get the job done. Well done to etrailer. 578645
Easy install 2013 LS FWD. I had no issues after following the video. The only thing they did not show was having to unbolt part of the battery box heat shield to gain access to the battery vent. I went the extra mile by installing 1/4 harness wrap on the green wire through the bumper rail and the positive all the way to the battery box. There are some sharp edges under the body that could cause a short over time with no protection. I also purchased the 4 plug tester. All is good. 562358
Product failed after 4 months. Left rear turn signal would stay on solid even with the car off and keys out. I did a full wire harness wrap during installation so no shorts. Took forever to get a replacement.
Brian W - 09/17/2019These guys are really good. 540350
The functionality of this unit is great! The installation video and instructions are lacking. Several direction steps were not hard they simply were impossible. If the part about most vehicles have the trailer wiring tucked up the side would have been great to know before we purchased. Also a description of what to look for would have been a help also. 523985
The wiring harness itself it really great. My vehicle did not have a factory trailer wiring harness. This one did take about 4 hours to install. I have no lift, so I used my jack to lift the right rear off the ground to crawl under the car to run the power wire to the battery. My vehicle also has the rear AC and ventilation controls which makes the right rear side too difficult to access the wiring grommet, so I routed all the wires out the left side and spliced the right directional wire (green) going to the right side to gain the extra length I needed. Beyond that I would suggest using some plastic spiral insulation around the wires to protect them against sharp edges of the metal body. 518065
After I removed the crap that the trailer rental place installed, my trailer lights worked perfectly. Took me about 30 minutes to install. 515589
Easy install, however my first wire harness the control box stopped working after 2 months of use. Just installed my new harness. too early to tell if this will fail as well. 515100
The most common reason a converter box fails is a short circuit in the trailer wiring. Youll want to closely examine the wiring on your trailer, beginning at the trailer connector and working backwards tracing each circuit until you reach each lamp. Look for loose connections or pinched wires. Closely examine the plastic insulation on the wire, looking for cracked or worn insulation that would allow the copper wire to short out on the trailer frame. If there is a short somewhere in the trailer wiring, youll continue to fry converter boxes until the short is located and repaired. Ill link you to a help article that contains lots of good information about troubleshooting trailer wiring systems.
-- Mike L - 06/01/2018Takes a little time to install, but works great. Online installation videos are very helpful, easy to do. 484426
Super videos on etrailer's YT page. Product installed very easy. 479381
A perfect fit for my 2013 Traverse. No modifications were necessary. Thanks again to CrystalS for all her help. Give that girl a raise. 471834
I bought a trailer hitch for my Chevy Traverse and it went on easily and works well, however the trailer light package burned out in November 2017. It blew fuses and I could smell hot plastic. I did not find any shorts in the wires, it may have been the plastic "black box" part of the wiring harness. I have since replaced it with the type of harness that plugs into the plug by the left rear fender. I also purchased that from etrailer. Hope it works. 464978
The majority of the time when a converter box shorts out, the cause is a short circuit somewhere in the wiring on the trailer. Begin by checking the trailer connector, look for damage or corrosion. Trace each circuit rearward looking for pinched or broken wires. Check that all connections are secure and protected from the weather. Carefully examine the wire insulation, look for worn or cracked spots that would allow the copper wire to contact the trailer frame or other metal and cause a short. Youll want to located and repair the short before replacing the taillight converter, or youll continue to blow out converter boxes.
-- Mike L - 01/05/2018Vary good product. I wish I would have seen the factory connection on the vehicle first. Watch all the videos etrailer puts up on their page first. My fault. 432940
fast and great product 432728
Installation not too difficult and it works great! 409714
The wireing harness was super simple to install. The online video gave me the confidence I needed! 399167
The sales person was helpful. The product works great. 387282
Everything fit as expected. 379164
Still working fine.
Tom H - 05/11/2018The curt wiring harness lasted one year then the left side shorted out and blew the fuse for my left running lights on the car.had to buy another one.i hope it lasts longer or i will have to go another way. 375009
order and deliver items in 3 days as promised. Great service 363370
I am 82 years old, it took me a little longer to get it done but went in an tested fine. The hardest was to get the wire into the battery box. 360566
THE HITCH WAS VERY TO INSTALL TOOK MAYBE 15 MINUTES THE WIRING ON THE OTHER HAND WAS NOT TOOK IT OUT OF THE BOX AND TRIED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN QUITE SOME TIME TO INSTALL. SO I GOT A HARNESS FROM THE GM DEALER AND IT TOOK 5 MINUTES TO INSTALL. SO NOW I HAVE A HARNESS I CAN NOT USE. THE HARNESS THAT WAS SENT I WOULD HAVE TO TIE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE TOGETHER GLUE SOME MODULE TO PANEL AND THEN RUN A WIRE UNDER THE CAR ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HARNESS FROM THE GM DEALER WSA PLUG AND PLAY . LIKE I SAID IT TOOK MAYBE 5 MINUTES 355628
Super fast delivery, and excellent quality. Customer service cannot be any better. Could not ask for more from a business. 335565
Installed easy as pie and as usual etrailer is an amazing site. Easy to find things and, support is great, and staff is super helpful and friendly. I won't go anywhere else for my towing accessory. needs 334760
Good. Exactly has detalied works great 325061
I bought this wiring harness after watching the installation video on the Etrailer website. I installed this in my driveway with the use of my floor jack. It took about an hour for me to install it. It was easy to install and it worked without flaw the first time. Great product! Great company! Thanks! 325006
I am very satisfied with this product and have not had any problems with it for over a year of using it, good product at a good price. thanks etrailer 321670
Fit perfectly. Well within manufacturing specs. No challenge by the Chevy Dealer garage on installation and since this is a plug in/bolt on with no cutting no warranty is broken. 320130
Excellent fit and finish, coupled with ease of installation (a lift would have made life a lot easier). 317631
We installed a tow package on our 2001 Jeep and our 2014 Chevy Traverse. Both were easy to install and have worked flawlessly as advertised. I personally would purchase from E-trailer again. 314349
Product arrived as promised. Perfect transaction and GREAT communication with fast, easy delivery. Will continue to buy from in the future!!! 289513
Seeing as I leaped (and ordered) before I looked, my new Traverse was equipped with a hitch. etrailer's customer service rep Lisa guided me through the process of making a return. She was so very helpful. I give etrailer a 5 star rating, because this is my third order from them and they always supply the best products, at best prices, and now I applaud there customer service. I will return again when ever a need arises. They are the first I turn to. 284318
I bought the draw tite trailer hitch and the t connector 4 way flat wiring harness for our 2014 traverse. It was very simple and easy to install. No issues as of now and I will be using it to tow our camper in a few days. 281066
Great product, installation was a breeze. I changed a few things like running the green passenger side wire through the rear bumper tube and instead of running a wire all the way to the battery I was able to splice into the power going to the rear power outlet. This outlet has 20 amp fuse feeding it under the hood so the 10 amps needed for the trailer wiring should never be a problem. Use only a few tools to install(knife, wire stripper/cutter, small screw driver, and a nut driver). Very high quality kit with online videos to walk you through the process. Took me an hour to install on my garage floor. 273965
Exactly what I wanted, but some of the wires were short. I had to splice in extensions. 266044
Everything I needed was provided in the wiring kit. Installation instructions were easy to follow. The only thing I found in error was the location of the battery which was shown to be under the hood, it is located in the floor behind the passenger seat. 255813
This hitch system was so spot on to install easily onto my 2013 Chevy Traverse. I did most of it by myself. The holes all lined up perfectly. The only worry I have is with the very basic brake wire that runs under the chassis to the front end. We get a lot of extreme weather elements in Minnesota and chemical spray from the roads. It maybe could have been offered with a protective sleeve. 244029
thank you 238123
Web site works well. You tube videos are great for installation instructions. Thanks, Glen 230428
Good prices, quick delivery 218336
Very easy to install in less than 20 mi nutes 199990
I am very pleased and is why I continue to come back to your company and refer as much as possible..
Bill C - 06/17/2016I bought products:C56181,TM75127, D13035, D/3503, 39523, PS49903, ETBC7, from E Trailer, and installed them on my wife's 2015 Chevy Traverse. Over all the products were pretty easy to install, but it still took a while to do it right. When installing the Brake controller, and connecting to the brake petal switch connect to the white wire in plug taped back on the left side under drivers side dash, and do so on the plug prong, with a female spade crimp terminal, not the inline crimp connector provided, they aren't very reliable I my experiences. Also soder all your but joints and heat shrink, or tape, I've had too many problems with crimp terminals corroding. On the Transmission cooler get some very light gauge 1 1/2 x3" angle iron and mount your cooler to it on the 3" side suspending down from at least 3 front grill torx headed screw ran through the 1 1/2 side of angle, I didn't like the idea of shoving the chess plastic mounting kit through my radiator, plus it eliminates the need of removing electric fans and this way you only hafta take top screws out of front grill and slide cooler and bracket down through. Thanks E trailer for compiling all videos these were very helpful? 194226
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