Comparing Current Output of Tow Ready and Curt Wiring Harnesses for 2013 Dodge Journey with LEDs
Updated 06/30/2015 | Published 06/27/2015
Question:
My vehicle is a 2014 Dodge Journey with LED lights. Can I used the model 118536 on the car or will I have to use the C56154. My trailer has 7 clearance lights. I had the dodge dealer install the hitch and light wiring. When I tried it out the the running lights they shut off when either signal light was used. Also if braking the brake lamp would go out if a signal light was used. The light on the car worked fine. The wiring harness is a Chrysler product. The dealer could not get the amp specs from Chrysler. So it is hard to determine if the 7 clearance lamps might have damage their converter. The dealer did check my trail for problems and found none. Did try a different trail with same results. Checked the current draw on the trailer. The highest reading was 4.2 amps trying different combinations of lighting situations. This is why Im interested in the 118536 for its higher amp rating. Thank you.
asked by: Richard M
Expert Reply:
A vehicle that uses LED-type lighting for its own light functions will typically use smaller gauge wiring than a vehicle that was designed with standard incandescent lights which draw roughly 10 times as much power. This efficiency with LEDs makes the vehicle able to use less copper, which means both lower cost and lower weight. Not a bad thing.
That lighter-gauge wiring also means that the trailer wiring harness you use will have to be a powered type, which draws the actual power for the trailer lights from the car's battery and NOT through the car's own internal wiring. The car's wiring just serves as a "switch" to tell the harness to pull power from the battery and feed it to your trailer lighting circuits. This is how powered converters protect your car's delicate wiring from overloads or other faults on the trailer.
Both the Tow Ready # 118536 and the Curt C56154 are specified to fit your 2013 Dodge Journey with LED taillights. You are absolutely on the right track to choose the higher-current Tow Ready harness which delivers 7.5 amps per circuit. If you need a mounting bracket use # 18144.
You can still potentially troubleshoot your existing dealer-installed harness, and quite easily. The most common cause for some lights to work but not others is a weak chassis ground connection from the wiring harness. Check that the white ground wire and ring terminal are firmly affixed to a clean bare metal surface on the car. Clean or sand that spot to provide a bare metal mounting point for the ring terminal, or if it is easier you can relocate it to a better spot.
The linked article may be of interest.
