Is Non-Powered 4-Pole Wiring Harness Safe for Use in 2008 Chevy Express 3500 15-Passenger Van

Updated 05/07/2019 | Published 05/05/2019

Products Featured in This Question

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

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$38.53

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

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$85.51

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

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Question:

I have a 2008 Chevy Express 3500 15-passenger van. Is it necessary to get a harness that has circuit protection, or will this wiring harness #118392 suffice? I dont tow a lot, but may need to tow a trailer for moving U-Haul, etc Thank you!

asked by: Daniel D

Expert Reply:

For the 2008 Chevy Express 3500 15-passenger van we do have non-powered 4-pole harnesses # 118392 and # 55540 that are intended to add trailer wiring for vans without the tow package. These simply plug in at the two tail light assemblies to get the necessary lighting signals for the trailer and that lighting power is then drawn through the van's own internal wiring.

We also have a powered converter harness # 31345 that uses a separate 12V power connection to the van battery. This provides two benefits: it means more current is available for operating the trailer lights and it means that the harness acts as a protective block against wiring shorts and overloads from the trailer, sort of like a fuse. In the event that there was a bad short on the trailer the converter box will take the hit instead of the van's internal wiring, which would be more costly to replace than the powered harness.

Either of these three products will work for your van but the non-powered options # 118392 and # 55540 are certainly an easier installation. Either should be fine for a small rented utility trailer since these tend not to have that many lights.