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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 23, 2013 16:56:17 GMT
A couple months ago I traded in my '05 Chevy Trailblazer (loved it, but didn't love the gas consumption...) for a '10 Mazda CX-9 AWD.
[Background info: I have a pop-up (tent) camper with a dry weight of 3250 and is equipped with electronic friction brakes.]
The Trailblazer came with a frame welded hitch that allowed it to tow up to 6500 lbs (GCWR 10,000+). I had the brake controller & wiring added (had it installed).
With the CX-9, I have to start from square one. Need to add-on the hitch, controller & two separate wiring harnesses:
1) 4-pin plug & play wiring harness
2) 4-pin to 7-pin wiring adapter (requires hardwiring)
I could definitely install the hitch myself and the 4-pin harness doesn't seem too complicated. Performing these as DIY would save about $175 in labor at the local dealer.
My question is about installing the controller & 7-pin adapter. I could possibly do it myself, but is the piece of mind of having a tech install it worth $150?
What are your thoughts?
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Post by the light works on Jan 23, 2013 17:17:21 GMT
I would recommend option 3 if possible. on my truck, I bought a wiring harness kit and a factory approved rear plug. for the brake controller, I found the correct plug under the dash, and plugged it in. the rear plug plugged directly into the wiring harness back there.
if you can find the correct wiring harnesses, I HIGHLY recommend that.
otherwise, whether paying the pros is beneficial depends on which pros you hire. I have had times that I have paid the pros and then had to correct what the pros did.
in my mind, if oyu have the technical skills to install the equipment, there is more peace of mind from doing it yourself than wondering if the pro was actually less qualified than you are.
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 23, 2013 18:12:20 GMT
I have learned over the years, through family & friends who made the mistake, NEVER have U-Haul install towing equipment. They are known to install the incorrect equipment & screw up the wiring.
(Then again, don't get your propane cylinder refilled at a U-Haul, I've had the welds blown on more than one tank by them.)
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Post by c64 on Jan 23, 2013 18:40:02 GMT
I could possibly do it myself, but is the piece of mind of having a tech install it worth $150? Good news. For just $150, you can buy the right to blame someone else if something goes wrong with it! |
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Post by wvengineer on Jan 23, 2013 22:25:51 GMT
I have learned over the years, through family & friends who made the mistake, NEVER have U-Haul install towing equipment. They are known to install the incorrect equipment & screw up the wiring. Uhaul equipment itself is pretty good. Uhaul tow hitches are made by the same company that does Hiddenhitch, Valley, and Draw-tite. The only difference between them is what stickers that slap on them. Check out etrailer.com. great selection, and very competitive prices. they also have a lot of do-it-yourself installation information. |
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Post by silverdragon on Jan 24, 2013 9:48:08 GMT
I know a friendly Garage that is happy to check over any wring changes I make.....
I do however only have a Domestic Sparks certificate, and not a Vehicle certificate, so to pass any MOT, my work has to be checked at some point by a Vehicle sparkie.
If you D-I-Y, its ALWAYS best to get someone else check over your work....
Especially if it is connected to "safety" equipment?... I know I am good, but an I THAT good?... I would rather someone else tell me I done a good job as two pairs of eyes often spot one tiny mistake...
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 24, 2013 14:33:49 GMT
I haven't been able to find a local mechanic that I trust since my last mechanic (of 10+ years) retired three years. Since then, I've been bouncing around mechanics based on who can the job done the soonest.
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 24, 2013 14:34:59 GMT
Many towing rated vehicles already come with a wiring harness in place and only need terminations on both ends but if not, get the large round 7 pin connection installed professionally. You can then buy a few different adapters for what you need. I have 3... one that converts to straight 4 pin and 2 that convert to the smaller round 6 pin that swaps the electric brakes (there 2 different "standard" ways to wire out the brakes).
As for U-haul, I've had them install a few hitches over the years but wouldn't trust them to do the wiring.
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Post by the light works on Jan 24, 2013 14:58:58 GMT
It was a uhaul dealer that bollixed up the brake lights on my van.
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Post by srmarti on Jan 24, 2013 18:31:44 GMT
I don't know how to answer it for someone else. It depends basically on two factors. How confident you are in your abilities to diy and is your time worth more than paying to have it done. Possible 3rd consideration is whether or not you like/want to do the job.
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Post by c64 on Jan 24, 2013 19:29:55 GMT
I don't know how to answer it for someone else. It depends basically on two factors. How confident you are in your abilities to diy and is your time worth more than paying to have it done. Possible 3rd consideration is whether or not you like/want to do the job. Weather and time of year are also very important. During summer, I wouldn't mind much to take out the engine. During winter when it's very cold and dark, I don't even bother to fix stuff which are not really important and require some disassembly before it can be fixed. For example, the heater pulley is broken. It's set to a more or less good setting for everything and I try to regulate it with the blower and vent valves. If it would be important enough, I would pay someone else to fix it in his warm workplace rather than freezing my fingers while fixing it myself! |
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Post by srmarti on Jan 24, 2013 19:46:17 GMT
Weather and time of year are also very important. During summer, I wouldn't mind much to take out the engine. During winter when it's very cold and dark, I don't even bother to fix stuff which are not really important ... Good point. I'd say adding the trailer towing stuff would fall into "wait till the weather is nice" unless it was needed urgently. |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 24, 2013 20:20:38 GMT
Absolutely. Though, if I can find a good price for the parts I need now, I'll store them in the basement until it's install time.
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Post by c64 on Jan 24, 2013 21:51:49 GMT
Absolutely. Though, if I can find a good price for the parts I need now, I'll store them in the basement until it's install time. New entry on my list for my car, today, the alternator had decided to become an opera singer. But it's too cold to fix that and the alternator still does its old job. So I bought an alternator from the boneyard and had put it into the trunk. Either I'll fix it when the weather is nice or it decides to stop singing since it doesn't matter if I replace it at the road in front of my house or any other road. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Jan 24, 2013 23:55:30 GMT
New entry on my list for my car, today, the alternator had decided to become an opera singer. Look at the positive side. Everyone will get out of your way because they will think an ambulance is coming. |
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Post by c64 on Jan 25, 2013 0:58:41 GMT
Look at the positive side. Everyone will get out of your way because they will think an ambulance is coming. Very unlikely, the alternator sounds pretty similar to this: While an ambulance goes this Depending on RPM, the alternator really makes the "hu-hu-hu-hu-huuuuuuuu" tunes and in neutral, you can make the weirdest sequences of tunes using the accelerator. Fortunately, it stops after a minute or two when turning hot. When the alternator started to make those sounds, I double checked if the radio is on and tuned to WDR4 or something. edited to make the youTube vids embedded and playable - BR[/color] |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 25, 2013 5:09:31 GMT
Just learned that Mazda sells an OEM 4-pin wiring harness that requires a single harness-to-harness connection. Hitch & 4-pin will be DIY. Brake controller & 7-pin still up in the air.
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Post by the light works on Jan 25, 2013 16:16:07 GMT
Just learned that Mazda sells an OEM 4-pin wiring harness that requires a single harness-to-harness connection. Hitch & 4-pin will be DIY. Brake controller & 7-pin still up in the air. keep shopping. there should be a 7 pin connector that plugs directly into the taillight harness. (and quite possibly a combination 4/7 pin assembly - though you need to be careful not to back into something and break the ground pin off the 4 pin) - assuming they ever thought that someone might have a trailer brake controller hooked up to it. |
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Post by c64 on Jan 25, 2013 16:52:41 GMT
I've never seen electric trailer brakes, they would be illegal over here.
But if they were legal, the standard 12-pin trailer connector would have everything an electric brake would need.
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Jan 25, 2013 17:00:12 GMT
Not sure about other states, but CT DOT regs say that any trailer over 2500 lbs requires: (1) electric brakes & (2) single-sided sway (stabilizer) bar. Over 4000 lbs requires (1) hydraulic brakes & double-sided sway bar (or other stabilizer rig).
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