flat-tow wiring hookup point

I'm slowly working towards being able to flat-tow my jeep on the highway, but am wondering about the wiring for the lights. Where should I interface to the rear lights? Is it possible to backfeed voltage into the trailer hookup and activate the tail lights? In the engine bay there are wires for the turn signals and parking lights on the grill and I ass-u-me the brake light signal wire goes up there for the cruise control... Before I mess something up maybe somebody who has already done this can tell me where you did it?

Personally, I would grab a Walmart/Harbor Freight set of magnetic lights and be done with it.

Get the tow kit for your jeep..Camping world sells them..They sell a kit(wiring) that shows you the right way to hook up the lights..I have done a few cars that i flat tow behind the motorhome..

There are a few ways to go.

1. Magnetic lights like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/magnetic-base-towing-lights/15620

2. If there is room inside the tail light assemblies install additional light sockets like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/wiring-kit-with-bulbs/17538

3. Use the existing XJ lights but you have to ensure no feed back to the tow rig with feed back prevention diodes with a kit like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/universal-towed-car-wiring-kit/23797

4. Build your own kit with some diodes like this: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/hy-power-diodes-2-pk-/14631

I have the set up in option number 3. It works fine. The diodes are necessary to prevent the XJ from trying to feed power back to the RV. It has been said that if the XJ feeds back to the RV you can take out the PCM. Unknown to me if true. The plug is at the front bumper and the flat wire runs to the rear light assemblies and is wired in at the tail lights.

Good luck.

I've seen the roadmaster kit and know about the diodes, I am wondering where to interface

I installed my diodes in the area behind the spare tire. Can't remember what my reasoning was. I just bought bridge diodes from radio shack which were a lot cheaper and easily available. Probably use these http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062584 I used two and used half the bridge on each one.

ehall said:

Is it possible to backfeed voltage into the trailer hookup and activate the tail lights?

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Not possible. The tow-package wiring assumes trailer lights that have brake and turn signal(s) on the same filaments, meaning that the signals are mixed by the tow harness somewhere and you cannot back-feed power to discrete circuits.

I have towed my XJ for years and around 35,000 miles.
For the most foolproof towing lights, run a new set of wires from the front bumper to the rear tail lights and install a stand-alone set of light sockets and bulbs. .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/3491989243/in/set-72157603323570942/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/3492806416/in/set-72157603323570942/

Diodes work but suffer from lower voltage and dim lights due to the voltage drop over the diodes.

joe_peters said:

Personally, I would grab a Walmart/Harbor Freight set of magnetic lights and be done with it.

Click to expand...

This is what I do, simple and fool proof.

Now you have every possible option with a variety of people who swear by theirs and only theirs.

Good luck in choosing.