Factory Trailer Wiring Surprise

I found the plug on Amazon. Wow seven pin wired up from the factory. Found it all connected at the battery. Fuse and all. Still have to figure out the bolts

Before you go buying a bunch of stuff... Ford sells a kit.

As you learned, the wiring is all there, but the wiring itself won't fully work without the trailer tow module, which is included in the trailer tow kit I linked above. That kit has everything you need.

RagnarKon

Before you go buying a bunch of stuff... Ford sells a kit.

As you learned, the wiring is all there, but the wiring itself won't fully work without the trailer tow module, which is included in the trailer tow kit I linked above. That kit has everything you need.

I went to the link and the site says it is for 2024 only. Is there a kit for other years? I want to add a hitch setup to my 23 OBX, but have not researched what is needed yet.

Priority 4

I ordered a Curt wiring kit. When I got under there I found this. Any ideas on what I need to connect? Also there is a very stout protector there bolted through two of the holes I need for the Curt hitch. looks like I’m gonna have to pull the back bumper to remove the bolts

I was able to remove the 2 bolts by 1st cutting the exposed end then using a ratchet/socket on the head end. The bolts were too long to remove without shortening them prior to using the ratchet. I did not need to remove the bumper!

BlueDevilBronco

I went to the link and the site says it is for 2024 only. Is there a kit for other years? I want to add a hitch setup to my 23 OBX, but have not researched what is needed yet.

Yes, more difficult (and pricey) because the wiring is not pre-run like it is on 2024, but it's possible.

You need two parts:

• Wiring kit
• Receiver

RagnarKon

Before you go buying a bunch of stuff... Ford sells a kit.

As you learned, the wiring is all there, but the wiring itself won't fully work without the trailer tow module, which is included in the trailer tow kit I linked above. That kit has everything you need.

Won't fully work? Lights without the integration to the truck? I cant imagine using my Bronco to pull a trailer requiring a brake. I have heavier vehicles for that. I just need lights for my kayak trailer.

Priority 4

Won't fully work? Lights without the integration to the truck? I cant imagine using my Bronco to pull a trailer requiring a brake. I have heavier vehicles for that. I just need lights for my kayak trailer.

My small Rubicon camper has brakes. I pulled it before I installed the brake controller and working brakes make a world of difference.

Here is what I used on my '23 without the tow pkg. Everything less than $400 . If you do not want brakes then less than $150

Priority 4

Won't fully work? Lights without the integration to the truck? I cant imagine using my Bronco to pull a trailer requiring a brake. I have heavier vehicles for that. I just need lights for my kayak trailer.

The trailer tow module is required for the trailer lights to function. That module controls the brake lights, the turn signal lights, and the aux power to the trailer. Without it you’ll only get partial functionality—your running lights and reverse lights will work but that’s it.

The brake controller is a separate unit from the trailer tow module.

What’s in your Bronco now is just the wiring harness. Most of the wires on the other end of the harness aren’t connected to anything.

Klettdt

I was able to remove the 2 bolts by 1st cutting the exposed end then using a ratchet/socket on the head end. The bolts were too long to remove without shortening them prior to using the ratchet. I did not need to remove the bumper!

great suggestion. Thanks

RagnarKon

The trailer tow module is required for the trailer lights to function. That module controls the brake lights, the turn signal lights, and the aux power to the trailer. Without it you’ll only get partial functionality—your running lights and reverse lights will work but that’s it.

The brake controller is a separate unit from the trailer tow module.

What’s in your Bronco now is just the wiring harness. Most of the wires on the other end of the harness aren’t connected to anything.

So trash it and wire the curt in myself for 70 bucks. At least the power is run that is connected for sure. I think ill plug it in and see what does and does not work.

Priority 4

So trash it and wire the curt in myself for 70 bucks. At least the power is run that is connected for sure. I think ill plug it in and see what does and does not work.

Took a look at the wiring diagram this morning.

Looks like 4 of the 7 wires are unwired. You got reverse, ground, and the running/park lights. But the rest of it is unwired, so you won't have stop, turn signals, aux, and obviously the brake controller. Guessing your kayak trailer is a 4-pin, so you'll only be missing the stop and turn signals.

The reason why you don't have stop and the turn signals seems to be because the LED taillights don't use your standard taillight wiring. If you have the halogen taillights you should just be able to tap into them like you would with any normal/older vehicle. But if you have the LED taillights you'll need some sort of converter box, probably similar to what @Rydfree already posted. I assume the OEM trailer tow module is simply a converter box with some extra logic in it that detects when a trailer is connected so it can inform the rest of the vehicle. (Which in-turn will turn off BLIS, turn on trailer sway control, etc.)

RagnarKon

Before you go buying a bunch of stuff... Ford sells a kit.

As you learned, the wiring is all there, but the wiring itself won't fully work without the trailer tow module, which is included in the trailer tow kit I linked above. That kit has everything you need.

You are 100% right just markers working. But for the price I’m just gonna cut the plug off and use to power and ground to the curt wiring harness. I’m still 300 bucks ahead and I really won’t use anything but the four flat plug