Trailer Hitch, Wiring and Brake Controller Recommendation for 2005 Saturn Vue

Published 09/22/2017

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(1247)

$148.62

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(71)

$56.79

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6644)

$156.98

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.88

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1375)

$88.93

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(119)

$209.24

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3398)

$121.17

Question:

In reference to the Prodigy 2 controller, its blue lighting is a non-starter for me. Maybe that color is OK during daylight hours, but it's piercing at night. I consider it a serious design flaw. Too bad, because it's otherwise desirable.

asked by: Ivar I

Expert Reply:

If the goal is to tow a trailer with your 2005 Saturn Vue I have a better setup for you to consider. For a trailer hitch the etrailer part # e98865 has great capacities and since it's a 2-inch hitch it will give you the best options for future accessories and ball mounts.

For trailer wiring the Tekonsha brand is the most reliable so for your vehicle the best option would be the # 118418. From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller. For that you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product as well.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup.

Since you wanted to do some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

expert reply by: Jameson C

click to enlarge

Ivar Z.

9/22/2017

Jameson C.

9/22/2017

I have a perfect solution for you then. The P3 part # 90195 is essentially the same controller as the P2 but with a few upgrades. One of them being that you can select whatever color you want the display to show as well as the brightness. Other upgrades include the ability to see full words on the display which means no codes to decipher and the ability to save trailer settings if you have multiple trailers.