Tow vehicle wiring

[Northwoods]

Trying to figure out the best way to add wiring to the '08 Sienna for towing a utility trailer.  Looking at this kit.  It that really necessary or is there a cheaper option (like this) that would be just as good?

[onions!]

Get the Toyota dealer to install the Toyota unit.

[41magsnub]

I assume the kit specifically for the vehicle would be plug and play, while you would have to do some investigating and splicing for the universal kit.  Not having to fight with it would be worth $30 to me.

[Boomhauer]

Spend the fiddy dollah for no splicing and such. Makes it simple and easy.

[Northwoods]

Is it OK to drive in daytime without the trailer lights working if the car brake/turn lights are visible?  I don't think so, but SWMBO's step-dad said it is.  This would be a VERY short term stop-gap only done if permissible?  Having a hard time finding sources either way.

[onions!]

Is it OK to drive in daytime without the trailer lights working if the car brake/turn lights are visible?  I don't think so, but SWMBO's step-dad said it is.  This would be a VERY short term stop-gap only done if permissible?  Having a hard time finding sources either way.

That would depend on your local laws.

[never_retreat]

Legal to drive here in the daytime without trailer lights if you can see the ones on the vehicle.
You could just put one of those orange triangle things on the back an call it done. Seems quite popular to do around here even not on hay wagons.

Sometimes you can hack into the vehicle wiring, but more often you need the converter anyway. Most cars have separate blinker and brake lights, trailers use the same bulb for blink and break.

[charby]

Spend the fiddy dollah for no splicing and such. Makes it simple and easy.

What he said, plus it isolates the vehicle circuits if you got a fault on the trailer. Means your vehicles lights still work if there is a short on the trailer.

[roo_ster]

Some of the factory kits include relays and such that protect the tow vehicle's electrical system, in addition to the plug & play aspect.  I will pay the $70 for the Nissan kit for my pickup after the guy who did beau coup cool electrical work and customization on his truck wrote, "Just get the factory kit."

[Northwoods]

Went ahead and ordered the plug-n-play kit.

[Boomhauer]

Is it OK to drive in daytime without the trailer lights working if the car brake/turn lights are visible?  I don't think so, but SWMBO's step-dad said it is.  This would be a VERY short term stop-gap only done if permissible?  Having a hard time finding sources either way.

I see that you've already made the decision to pony up and do it the right way, but I also want to raise a point...you might slide by local LE with no trailer lights but if you get in an accident, it could be a factor the insurance companies don't let slide by.

[charby]

Went ahead and ordered the plug-n-play kit.

You will be much happier and if the part corrodes away, its an easy swap for a new one.

Living the salty winter Midwest, I have to replace my plug and play trailer harness every few years.