Is a Brake Light Relay Required when Using a Trailermate Wiring Harness on a 2007 Honda CR-V

Published 03/28/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles

(704)

$47.77

Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles

(49)

$73.24

Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(56)

$1930.00

Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Switch for Towed Vehicles - 20-Amp ATM Mini-Fuse

(357)

$84.00

Question:

Does a 2007 Honda CR-V need a brake light relay to be installed if Im planning to install a Trailermate tow wiring kit TM781104?

asked by: Carol

Expert Reply:

The proper Hopkins tow bar wiring harness for a 2007 Honda CR-V is # HM56300. The one that you referenced is for a Jeep Liberty and will not fit your CR-V.

Because this harness wires your Honda CR-V as a combined system, a brake light relay # RM-88400 may be required if you use a supplemental braking system with your towing setup. A supplemental braking system depresses the brake pedal in your towed car every time you apply the brakes in your RV.

So, if your towed cars brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed and the engine is off, as is the case when towing, then you need to install a relay to ensure that the lights on your towed car always act in accordance with the signals sent by your RV via the wiring harness.

Without a relay, the brake signal from your towed car will override the turn signal sent by your RV when you slow down to make turns, creating a potential hazard.

Supplemental braking is now required in most states. If you were to use the Even Brake, # RM-9400, the relay is included so you would not have to purchase it separately. It looks like you will also need to pull fuses to flat tow the vehicle. Check the owners manual to confirm.

To make pulling fuses as easy as flipping a switch you can use fuse bypass # RM76511.