Does Trailer Wiring for 2018 Chevy Equinox Need to Run to Vehicle Battery

Published 06/23/2017

Question:

The vehicle is a 2018 Chevy Equinox Premiere. I have this item as I purchased it from you. The wiring instructions show that I must run a hot wire from the rear of the vehicle to the hot terminal on the battery in the engine compartment. This vehicle is very tight underneath and there does not appear to be an easy easy being the operative word way it can be done. To do it properly and protect the wire looks time consuming without a hoist. In the left rear of the car, behind the taillight assembly on that side, and accessible from an inside compartment door is a factory fuse block. This block is wired for factory options. One position, F-21 circled in red in picture, is a 20 amp circuit with nothing on it. The wiring key states this is a Rear APO. I have checked and it is hot all the time. This would accomplish the same as wired direct to the battery. What are your thoughts on utilizing this terminal and fuse it for 15 amp as in the instructions for the wiring controller? I am very much aware of the multiplex wiring and what it all does on the vehicle and this would not change any of the other wiring instructions at all. There is a small rubber plug at the bottom floor area inside this compartment where I could run the hot wire directly up through it. Also there are three ground terminals inside this area that are weather protected and would make a much better choice than externally. The black controller could also be mounted in here outside of the elements if the wiring is long enough to reach the opposite tail light. Any ways the big question is the hot wire. Any thoughts on this? I looked at the paperwork and there was not a technical phone number to contact the manufacture. Thanks

asked by: GM

Expert Reply:

Not all vehicles can handle the additional amperage draw of the trailer taillights on the vehicle taillight circuits. Those vehicles need setup that draws power from the battery. Some vehicles have higher rated circuits that can handle this, and others like your 2018 Chevy Equinox need to have the power drawn straight from the battery to protect the taillight circuits.

We are aware that some people will ultimately run the power wire somewhere like you mentioned either out of ignorance of the requirement or just out of convenience even knowing it's not correct. Routing the power wire up to the vehicle battery can be pretty challenging, but I did attach a link to a page that shows how to do this with some helpful tips.

expert reply by: Jameson C