Installing Trailer Wiring Harness on 2009 Lexus RX350 with Factory Tow Package

Question

Question:

I am attempting to install a towing trailer harness on my 2009 Lexuas Rx350 but I encountered a problem in connecting the wires. This particular model has factory installed towing package. The problem is that the plug in receptacle has only three wires and there is mo white ground wire. How am I going to ground the connections?

asked by: Samson C

0

Expert Reply:

If you are using harness # 18002 then you would ground the white wire to a clean, bare metal surface. The white is the ground for the harness. The wires that you are tapping into on the vehicle will use that ground and it should still work.

It is possible that the ground on the factory harness is tucked up further towards the front of the vehicle for some reason so you will want to cut back the covering/loom to see if there are more wires. The ground may not be white on the vehicle harness. It is in the video for the 2007 but really manufacturers can use any color wire they want for any function.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

Sometimes hitches will get slightly bent during shipping which makes the install a bit more challenging. Normally we recommend getting all of the bolts started at first and then torquing them down. Typically this gives enough play to allow all of the…

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Answer 2

Sometimes in shipping the install brackets of a hitch can get slightly bent. As long as there are no flex marks on the hitch or chipped paint from the hitch flexing you can bend the hitch back to get it to line up. Otherwise it can be helpful to…

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Answer 3

I would be happy to help. Based on the issue you are describing it sounds like there is quite a bit of gunk in the weld nuts on your 2012 Lexus RX 350. I do not recommend trying to force the bolts in, and instead recommend using a M12x1.25 tap in the…

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Answer 4

Thank you for the photo; unfortunately there really is no "fix" for the Curt Trailer Hitch #13530 touching the spare tire on your 2008 Lexus RX 350. While I can understand wanting to lower the spare a bit during the install, that can cause…

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Answer 5

It's not uncommon for hitches to get bent in shipping which makes the mounting holes not line up as easily as they should. So if the holes are off only by a little bit what you can do is start all of the bolts loose and then torque them down and…

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Answer 6

We see this on occasion and while its super frustrating the issue is that the hitch got bent in shipping and that's why the holes don't line up. If you can find like an open stairwell or some other way to use leverage to bend it back that is…

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Answer 7

The recommended solution for installing a hitch where the bolts all don't seem to perfectly line up is to first start each install bolt and leave it as loose as possible. This gives you a bit more leeway to compensate for holes that don't…

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Answer 8

The manufacturers and installers (like us) have the luxury of lifts to install trailer hitches and other things but they are not required. It makes it easier for sure especially when making an installation video! You could install Curt trailer hitch…

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Answer 9

I'm assuming that you're needing to know so you can choose the correct wiring harness, correct? You could call your Lexus dealer and give them your VIN, and they should be able to tell you how your RX350 is equipped. Or, you could remove the…

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Answer 10

Hey Howard, We unfortunately do not have a video of the Curt #C56217 being installed on a 2021 Lexus RX350. If you live near our Wenztville, MO location we could setup an installation appointment and shoot the videos for others to use.

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Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 12

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Installing Trailer Wiring Harness on 2009 Lexus RX350 with Factory Tow Package

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