Tapping into hitch harness

[larkcorey]

Hi all, I plan on adding some led strip lights to the bed. I read some great threads to plan out how I am going to do it, but still have a couple questions that I couldn't find an answer to.
I plan to wire the lights to a constant power source from the hitch harness. Should I tap into the wire with a t-tap or should I connect to the back of the 7pin connector? If so, what is the hardware bits that I would need? Thanks!

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

There is an adapter that I cant find. Maybe someone can chime in with a model #.

 

[Richard320]

There is an adapter that I cant find. Maybe someone can chime in with a model #.

Hopkins 41157 is one,
Curt 56584 might also work for you,

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

Hopkins 41157 is one,
Curt 56584 might also work for you,

Is there one that T's off the harness behind the bumper?

 

[Richard320]

Is there one that T's off the harness behind the bumper?

They both do.

 

[LITTLEREBEL]

They both do.

https://www.etrailer.com/p-P529004.html?hhyear=2019&hhmake=Ram&hhmodel=1500

This is kind of what I'm looking for.

 

[theblet]

Most people use this curt harness

Replacement OE 4-Way Flat Socket (T's into USCAR)

Stress is the last thing you should feel when towing a trailer -- whether you're hauling your RV to that favorite camping destination, your ATVs up to the hunting grounds or your fishing boat to the new hidden hotspot. At CURT, we think your towing equipment should add to the enjoyment of your...

www.curtmfg.com

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-55384-Custom-Wiring-Connector/dp/B0009FJ38Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=28TUOCLK3JR7L&keywords=curt+55384&qid=1696952064&sprefix=curt+55384%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-3

 

[HSKR R/T]

Most people use this curt harness

Replacement OE 4-Way Flat Socket (T's into USCAR)

Stress is the last thing you should feel when towing a trailer -- whether you're hauling your RV to that favorite camping destination, your ATVs up to the hunting grounds or your fishing boat to the new hidden hotspot. At CURT, we think your towing equipment should add to the enjoyment of your...

www.curtmfg.com

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-55384-Custom-Wiring-Connector/dp/B0009FJ38Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=28TUOCLK3JR7L&keywords=curt+55384&qid=1696952064&sprefix=curt+55384%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-3

He would have to cut and splice for the constant power. There isn't a constant power wire in the 4-pin wiring

 

[theblet]

He would have to cut and splice for the constant power. There isn't a constant power wire in the 4-pin wiring

Ah i thought there was.

 

[Brutal_HO]

I used this on my HD. $42.

Built in sacrificial 5-wire. Extras wire is reverse you could repurpose for constant power and replace the plug with a 4-wire if you need one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EA6WQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ETA: There's a full on 7-pin T-harness for adding an in-bed 7-pin, let me see if I can find it.

 

[larkcorey]

I used this on my HD. $42.

Built in sacrificial 5-wire. Extras wire is reverse you could repurpose for constant power and replace the plug with a 4-wire if you need one.

View attachment 169021

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EA6WQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ETA: There's a full on 7-pin T-harness for adding an in-bed 7-pin, let me see if I can find it.

So this connects between the existing harness and the back of the 7 pin connector? I can simply tap into the 5 wire for power? Is there a connector that I can add to the hot wire from the new lights or do I splice into it?

 

[Andymax]

FWIW I spliced into mine for both strip lights in the bed and accessory reverse lights mounted to my trailer hitch. Pretty easy if you're comfortable with splicing.

 

[Threesuns1]

I picked up one of these:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71htNQAgMmL._AC_SX679_.jpg

I plan on cutting the 5th wheel end off and wiring all 7 wires to a terminal board for bed lights in my cap and other add-ons later.

 

[Brutal_HO]

You could either get the cheapest 7-pin bed harness and use #4, or any of the other 4 or 5-pin (cheapest) and repin to use #4 for 12V power.

I got the 5-pin because it had the reverse light wires I needed to setup some relays for lighting controls on my 5th wheel, without all the others I didn't need. I simply plugged in a mating 5-pin just to pull the reverse lead with cutting anything.

If all I was looking to do was pull 12V, I'd get the $22 Curt 55384 @theblet linked, repin #4 to one of the other present in the 4-flat, and use a mating 4-flat to pick the 12V.

 

[SShadow1974]

Guess this might be the easiest way to power bed lightstrips...

 

[Goodboy]

I'm confused... Why wouldn't exposing the necessary wires in the harness and taping into them be the best way?

I haven't looked behind my bumper yet but I'd assume doing a proper wire tap is cheaper than a 50 or 100+ dollar harness...

 

[Brutal_HO]

Let's see your version of a "proper wire tap."

 

[HSKR R/T]

Let's see your version of a "proper wire tap."

I meanz if you want to call out someone's wire taps, while suggesting they splice a 4-pin harness to whatever they want to power, then they probably would use crappy splices as well.

 

[theblet]

I'm confused... Why wouldn't exposing the necessary wires in the harness and taping into them be the best way?

I haven't looked behind my bumper yet but I'd assume doing a proper wire tap is cheaper than a 50 or 100+ dollar harness...

Because using a harness doesn’t require you to expose or open any factory wiring whatsoever. You can go back to 100% stock.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Because using a harness doesn’t require you to expose or open any factory wiring whatsoever. You can go back to 100% stock.

True, but you know they are using cheap crimp on butt splices on the harness.