Trailer wiring for 2003 Jeep Liberty

Hmmm, a "Hoppy" part number. Here's what it looks like -- just in case you're interested in why it costs so much:

You can also get a PDF of the installation instructions from the link, above.

My guess is that some genius at Daimler put either the brake lights or the running lights in the same circuit with something "critical" -- hence step 13 of the above mentioned instructions:

"Route the red, 12 gauge battery feed wire to the battery (Fig. 2 / G). Be sure to avoid the muffler, gas tank, tail pipe and drive train. Insert the power feed wire into the fuse assembly provided and crimp connection. Attach the fuse assembly ring terminal to the positive (+) battery terminal."

It could also be that either the flasher or one of the lighting circuits was deemed to be "too small" for the additional electrical load of trailer lights. That would require some sort of isolator with the addition of a new 12V feed, directly from the battery.

Of course I find all of this odd since Daimler touts the 5000lb towing capacity of the Liberty as one of its features. Either that or they simply want to sell you their $365 towing group when you purchase the vehicle...

:)

-John

Hi John, Thanks for the link. To be fair, there's a lot more to a tow package, you may recognize a few in this build ticket, like: 136 Amp, 625 Amp, Dana 44, Tach, P/S Cooler, 20.5 Gallon, Hitch, Wiring Harness, and of course GVW/Payload Rating Springs: Seats - Cloth Low-Back Bucket Luxury Group Trailer Tow Group IV Monotone Paint

4.7L Eng (EVA)/5Spd A/T 5-45Rfe(DGQ) Alternator - 136 Amp Battery - 625 Amp Maintenance Free Brakes - Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Seats - Low Back Bucket Door Trim Panel - Highline Seat - Rear 60/40 Folding Air Bags - Side, Supplemental Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready Air Bags-Front,Next Gen,Multistage** Air Bag-Side Window Curtain,Frt & Rr Carpet - Floor Carpet - Cargo Compartment Cargo Tie Down Loops Floor Mats - Front & Rear Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net Scuff Pads - Door Sill Cover - Cargo Compartment Assist Handles - Passenger Console - Mini Overhead Console - Full Length Floor Transmission - All 5-Speed Automatic Transmission-5-Spd Automatic 5-45RFE Torque Converter - Lock-Up Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System Axle - Front, Dana 30/186MM Axle Ratio - 3.73 Axle - Rear, Dana 44/226MM Engine- 4.7L V8 MPI Windshield Glass - Tinted Glass - Front Door Tinted Glass - Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass - Flipper Liftgate Defroster - Rear Window Sun Visors - Illum Vanity Mirrors Mirror - Rear View, Auto Dim Mirrors - Power, Fold-Away Keyless Entry - Remote Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System Air Conditioning Insulation - Hood Insulation Group - Deluxe Route 24 - UP, Rolla, CO Instrument Cluster w/Tach Speedometer - 120 MPH Primary Windshield Wipers - Var Intermittent Wiper/Washer - Rear Window Horns - Electric, Dual Note Glove Box - Locking Power Outlet - Auxiliary 12V Power Accessory Delay Locks - Power Windows - Power, Driver One-Touch Seats -Power Front, Driver/Passenger STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR Illuminated Entry Warning Chime Vehicle Information Center Lamps - Courtesy Lamp - Glove Box Lamp - Ash Tray Lamps - Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamp - Cargo Compartment Traveler/Mini Trip Computer Headlamps - Halogen Headlamps - Automatic Lamp - Center Hi-Mount Stop Security Alarm Bracket - Front License Plate Grille - Bright Windshield Moldings - Black Badge - Grand Cherokee, Bright Badge - Jeep, Bright Badge - V-8, Liftgate, Bright Roof Rack Badge - 4 X 4 Emissions - U.S. 50 State Emissions - High Altitude Tracking Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Fuel Tank - 20.5 Gallon Cooler - Power Steering Speed Control Engine Cooling - Hydraulic Patriot Blue Pearl Coat Patriot Blue Pearl Coat All Radio Equipped Vehicles Radio-AM/FM Cass/CD/Equal/Chgr Ctrl Speaker System - Infinity Antenna - Fixed Audio Ctrls-Steering Wheel Mounted Steering - Power Rack and Pinion Steering Wheel - Leather Wrapped Suspension - Normal Duty Steering Column - Tilt Spare Tire - Inside Mount Spare Tire- Full Size, Matching Whl Tires - P245/70R16 OWL All Terrain Goodyear Brand Tires Wheels - 16 x 7.0 Lux Alum, Silver Wheels - All Aluminum Pedals - Power Adjustable Hitch - Class IV Receiver Wiring Harness - 7 Pin Adaptor - 7 to 4 Pin, Wiring Garage Door Opener - Universal Protective Coating and Remover Build To U S Market Specifications Manuf Statement of Origin 7 Additional Gallons Of Gas Spring - Left Front Spring - Left Rear Spring - Right Front Spring - Right Rear GVW/Payload Rating Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4) Left Hand Drive (LHD)

No prob.

YOU, being fair to the Liberty? Will wonders never cease. :)

Actually Bill, I was mostly speculating about the "intelligence" of Daimler's engineers and the necessity of an isolator for trailer wiring in a supposed "tow vehicle".

It reminds me of my brother's 1990 Cougar which had either the running or the turn signal lights fused on the same circuit as the fuel injection computer. (Those of us who've blown fuses due to "issues" with trailer lighting while driving know how something like that could ruin your day.) Fortunately, Ford was smart enought to put a warning in the owner's manual about the need for an isolator...

-John