Question about trailer wiring harness.

[Grandpa Spyder]

Does the trailer wiring harness come as a plug and play? In other words can it be plugged into something that is already on the bike or does it have to be wired. and if so where is the connection going to be. I am not going to put on a hitch but was going to use the trailer wiring harness to hook up some additional lights. any help here would be very appreciated.

 

[SpydherLuv]

The trailer wiring harness is already on the bike - hidden under the left rear fender. I'm not sure that you would want to use it for anything other then its intended purpose. What type of lights are you thinking about adding that you would need to use that harness for?

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

The trailer wiring harness is already on the bike - hidden under the left rear fender. I'm not sure that you would want to use it for anything other then its intended purpose. What type of lights are you thinking about adding that you would need to use that harness for?

additional rear turn signals and brake lights. maybe even extra running lights all would be Leds.

 

[kinggeek]

There is no 'wiring' required but installation of the trailer plug harness is required. the trailer plug is installed under the left saddlebag. The wire is routed up through the rear of the bike and plugs in under the seat. The install instructions are very good.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

There is no 'wiring' required but installation of the trailer plug harness is required. the trailer plug is installed under the left saddlebag. The wire is routed up through the rear of the bike and plugs in under the seat. The install instructions are very good.

Does the dealer sell the trailer harness?

 

[kinggeek]

I think you can get just the plug harness. it plugs in under the seat between two plugs currently connected that send power to the rear lights.

I bet you could get the wiring diagram and plug it in and cut trailer plug end of and wire it to additional turn signals/brake lights. Not something I woild do personally but I amsure others have done worse.

 

[NancysToy]

For what you want to do, the trailer harness/module would not be a good solution. The trailer harness output does not have wires that can be tapped...only the integral 9-pin connector. You would have to plug in a mating connector and then wire from there. If you actually installed the module in the saddlebag, that would have to be an external connection. The 9-pin connector would be an additional cost. It would be better to purchase an aftermarket, isolated (powered) trailer module, and wire your additional lights from the output wires on that. It would not be plug-n-play.

Another, possibly better, alternative would be to purchase some of the great aftermarket lights specifically designed and marketed for the RT. The ESI HMT Brakelight, BrightSides, and their Mudflap Lights are great examples. There are also LED strips from TricLED and KewlMetal. All of these are site sponsors, and can be found on the SpyderLovers home page. Many of their products are plug-n-play, and come with great instructions.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

For what you want to do, the trailer harness/module would not be a good solution. The trailer harness output does not have wires that can be tapped...only the integral 9-pin connector. You would have to plug in a mating connector and then wire from there. If you actually installed the module in the saddlebag, that would have to be an external connection. The 9-pin connector would be an additiuonal cost. It would be better to purchase an aftermarket, isolated (powered) trailer module, and wire your additional lights from the output wires on that. It would not be plug-n-play.

Another, possibly better, alternative would be to purchase some of the great aftermarket lights specifically designed and marketed for the RT. The ESI HMT Brakelight, BrightSides, and their Mudflap Lights are great examples. There are also LED strips from TricLED and KewlMetal. All of these are site sponsors, and can be found on the SpyderLovers home page. Many of their products are plug-n-play, and come with great instructions.

The difference in doing it my way and buying from our sponsers from what I have seen, that cost could exceed 1000%

 

[NancysToy]

The difference in doing it my way and buying from our sponsers from what I have seen, that cost could exceed 1000%

Just remember that you would have $200-$300 or more in the cost of the two BRP harnesses or the Spyder harness and Deutsch connector parts alone. The cheapest alternative is probably to wire in an isolated trailer module or to add an auxiliary fuseblock to power the new lights, and install relays to trigger any large number of them on the brake or running light circuits. The Spyder circuits can handle a few more lights without going to such measures, but not many, so if you are adding just a few LEDs, you can tap into the existing wiring.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

Just remember that you would have $200-$300 or more in the cost of the two BRP harnesses or the Spyder harness and Deutsch connector parts alone. The cheapest alternative is probably to wire in an isolated trailer module or to add an auxiliary fuseblock to power the new lights, and install relays to trigger any large number of them on the brake or running light circuits. The Spyder circuits can handle a few more lights without going to such measures, but not many, so if you are adding just a few LEDs, you can tap into the existing wiring.

The advice is appreciated. I really am just trying to be a little more visable from the rear. I only plan on adding a few more lights just for safety reasons. And was just looking for a simple way of doing it with low cost. I do not intend on spending more than a $100.00 for everything. That is what happens when you are on a fixed income like SS and a retirement that is even less then that.

 

[NancysToy]

The advice is appreciated. I really am just trying to be a little more visable from the rear. I only plan on adding a few more lights just for safety reasons. And was just looking for a simple way of doing it with low cost. I do not intend on spending more than a $100.00 for everything. That is what happens when you are on a fixed income like SS and a retirement that is even less then that.

A few lights is easy. Just use LEDs if possible, and wire into the existing. Don't get carried away and you'll be fine. The Spyder's nanny doesn't like lower loads on the lighting, but it accepts a bit more. Just don't go overboard. Meanwhile, save up for the HMT and Mudflap Lights. They are highly visible and worth every penny. Some folks have adapted other (trailer?) lights to the mudflaps, so that could be a cheaper way out, too. The trailer harness is too expensive and too difficult to use (with no output wiring) for what you need. It is also real difficult to get a compatible "no-short" converter for 5-wire. Easiest to wire directly and just limit your lighting load.