Trailer Wiring Harness Options for a 2011 GMC Acadia

Updated 03/11/2013 | Published 03/08/2013

Products Featured in This Question

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

(173)

$43.11

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

(3437)

$126.29

Cordless Circuit Tester

(15)

$19.19

Question:

how do i find out for certain this will fit my vehicle

asked by: Avery

Expert Reply:

The Replacement Multi-Tow 7-Way and 4 Pole Trailer Connector, # 74682, will fit on your 2011 GMC Acadia if it came with a factory installed 7-way trailer connector at the back of the vehicle. There will be a round plug going into the back of your factory 7-way connector that will mate with the round plug from the Multi-Tow harness.

If your vehicle did not come with a factory installed 7-way, then you may have the round connector at the rear of your vehicle tucked in the spare tire or along the driver side frame, but it is typically not active if the vehicle did not come with the factory tow package. If you do have the round connector present, you can use a circuit tester like part # PTW2979 to test the pins in the connector for the different functions. If the plug is functional, then you could use the Multi-Tow connector.

If the plug is not active, then you will need to install a t-connector style 4-way wiring harness like the Tow Ready T-One Harness, # 118451. We have installed this on a 2011 GMC Acadia so I attached the installation instructions and video for you to check out. This harness will give you a 4-flat trailer connector.

If you want the 7-way and 4 pole connector like the Multi-Tow harness, then you can install the 7-Way and 4-Way Connector and Installation Kit, # ETBC7, after the T-one harness is installed. The 4-flat connector from the T-one harness will plug into the 7-way and 4-way connector from the ETBC7 kit and you will be left with 4 wires, white, blue, black and purple. The white wire is for ground, the blue wire is the brake output wire for a brake controller, the black wire is for 12 volt power from the vehicle battery and the purple wire is used for reverse lights.

This installation is not a plug and go type installation, but the ETBC7 kit includes all of the hardware that you need to complete the installation including additional lengths of wire to run the brake controller and power wire to the front of the vehicle. I have attached the installation instructions for you to check out.