Does Trailer Wiring for 2012 Town and County Have to Run All The Way to Vehicle Battery

Updated 09/09/2025 | Published 05/10/2016

Question:

I plan on purchasing your complete hitch kit which includes this wiring harness. Am curious as if I can run the power under the interior trim to the power port cigarette lighter style port behind the drivers side sliding door instead of all the way up to the battery. 2012 Chrysler Town and Country Touring

asked by: James P

Expert Reply:

Powered trailer wiring harnesses like the Curt part # C56331 that you referenced have to have the battery wire run all the way to the positive post of the vehicle battery. The reason for this is so that the taillights of the trailer won't be putting any amperage draw on the delicate taillight wiring of the vehicle. All of the amperage would be drawn from the battery instead. If you were to power the unit from a 12 volt source like what you mentioned you would be defeating the circuit protection and voiding the warranty so I can't recommend you do that.

I did attach a help article that details routing the power wire from the rear of a vehicle to the front for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Kenneth J.

9/9/2025

Hello, I was wondering about this, too. Couldn't this be done by including the 10 amp fuse in the circuit after connecting to the twelve volt power plug's hot wire? The car's manual says that the circuit is OK for up to 13 amps. It is fused for higher than that, however (20 amps, I believe). Regards, Ken 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan

Jameson C.

9/9/2025

@KennethJ In theory yeah that would probably work and I am sure many have done that without issue but we can't recommend that since it's not how it was intended to be installed.