Wiring for a trailer

[usmalenurse]

Okay....I bit the bullet and bought a trailer to pull behind the bike just in case I get to go to the Rally in Colorado this year. Going to get the Marvella's hitch but my main concern is the wiring. The trailer is already wired up with the 4-pin plug and just wondering if there is a "best place" to tie in the wiring to run to the rear of the bike? I've misplaced my CD for the Voyager manual but can pull up the wiring diagram from here but just wondering where the best spot is to tie into the circuit. Appreciate any information and tips....and thanks!

[chevyman1]

You can tie in under the trunk, If the trailer is 4 wire you will need the 5 to 4 wire converter.

[kjsett]

You can tie in under the trunk, If the trailer is 4 wire you will need the 5 to 4 wire converter.

My bike came with the Hopkins converter (5 to 4wire) when I bought it. My trailer is a standard 5 wire, so I just tied in wires ahead of the converter and left the 4 wire connector up and out of the way. I have already had an occasion where that came in handy to pull another persons trailer. Most of the time I use the 5 wire (actually a 6 pin round jack) to power my trailer and the cooler rack I occasionally use when trailer is not needed (especially when I have to go to California - 55mph max for any trailer).
I use the 6th wire as an auxiliary to power a dome light inside the trailer lid (fused and switched). Anyway, they had mounted it under the trunk, just behind the seat.
Enjoy.

[usmalenurse]

You can tie in under the trunk, If the trailer is 4 wire you will need the 5 to 4 wire converter.

So there is already a 5 wire connector or plug under the trunk or are you talking about splicing the wires?

[chevyman1]

You will have to splice in but if you are not in a hurry I am looking into making a harness to just plug in between, should have something by early March

[doug of so fla]

I am not a fan of Scotch-lok wire splicers, but they make a connector that you fold over a existing wire and when it snaps together it forms the female end of a blade connector & the male comes in the package with it. Napa and most auto parts stores have them. I have used them for years and many miles and never had a problem with them, unlike the blue square ones that fail a lot.. There are other connectors that will screw or snap together for your use also. Reason I say use this type, because it makes it easy to unplug unit in case you have a problem or wish to make a change. Makes maintanence easier.. Keep it simple you do not want to create a electrical problem on the XII Yikes!!!

[usmalenurse]

You will have to splice in but if you are not in a hurry I am looking into making a harness to just plug in between, should have something by early March

Definitely not in a hurry....just hope to have it ready by mid-May or so. Just exploring the options right now. Still need to install a trailer hitch and a few minor adjustments on the trailer itself but the wiring is my biggest concern.

[usmalenurse]

Have got the trailer wiring together now and everything seems to be working fine with the test light. I tied into the harness under the seat so I'd have more room to work. I'm adding an accessory fuse block while I'm messing with it. Just got one of those universal 6 circuit blocks from Advance auto but I'm adding a relay so it will be switched. Question about the size of fuses to use in the block. All my accessories have inline fuses in them and I was going to eliminate them and just go with the one fuse in the block. Is this the best option or would I be better off to leave the inline fuses as well?? If I do eliminate the inline fuse is it safe to say I'd just use the same size fuse in the block... ie; 7.5 inline fuse = 7.5 amp in the fuse block. Thanks in advance...

[chevyman1]

You will have to splice in but if you are not in a hurry I am looking into making a harness to just plug in between, should have something by early March

I have plug and play harnesses to wire in trailer and fender tail light.
PM me if you are interested.

[usmalenurse]

Already got the wires spliced in so I'm good to go right now but thanks. Got the fuse box hooked up and all is well right now. Just got to get the bike back in one piece so I can hook the trailer up and make sure everything is working like it supposed to. Driving lights and heated gear work fine and that's all I've got hooked up to the fuse box right now. Finally don't have to worry about leaving the driving lights on and running down the battery....