Why Does Power Wire of Curt Trailer Wiring Harness C56371 Have to Run to Vehicle Battery

Published 10/31/2017

Question:

Bought this harness from etrailer and a towing hitch. With the harness can you get power from the AUX power instead of the battery? It is easer and may not drain the battery when not in use. The hitch listed for the Prime is a little short coming out the back of the bumper as the Primes bumper is a little longer than the normal Prius. I may need to get an extender for my bike rake to work. Both look good though and arrived in good shape. Thanks,

asked by: VINCENT P

Helpful 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 need to have the power drawn straight from the battery to protect the taillight circuits.

That's why you have to run the power wire of the # C56371 to your vehicle battery and not to an aux power source.

Hitch extenders cut the capacity of the hitch they are installed in by 50 percent so they would not be an ideal solution for you.

expert reply by: Jameson C