Help with Toyoto Trailer Light Converter

[JimA]

I have a 2005 Tacoma. When new I had U-Haul install a hitch receiver and wired using what they called a converter that they insisted was required for a Toyoto. This thing is about the size of a deck of cards. You appearently don't just wire in like a Ranger, etc and it does not come with a trailer pigtail. Well, in Nov my trailer lites went out, and after changing all bulbs and checking wiring noticed that the little green lites on the female (Truck side) plug were all out. Mecanick told me my 'converter' had failed. Did not talk to Toyoto. Back to U-Haul, $50 bucks later new converter box and lights back on. Made ONE trip --lights were working when I parked it. This week ready to go to Oconee -- No Lights again -- same thing. Anyone had this experience ? Is there a work-around ? Or maybe a less expensive, more permanent solution ? By the way, U-Haul told me they do not warrant any electrical items like this -- they'll be telling me again Monday for sure but I would really like to get lights working without converter. Any advice ? Thanks, Jim

[grubby]

Jim check your ground on the unit mabey your only problem.Its just a guess on my part but worth a try. My mini van has a converter for the amber turn lights and if the ground isnt making a good contact they won't work. Good Luck and good fishing.

[crappie bug]

If you're truck has sepret turn signals and brake lights there is no way around the converter. you can buy one at a parts house like autozone and save some money but you might have a short somewhere causing the converter to go out.

[Shellback]

The converter changes your seperate brake and turn lites in your truck so that it can work with the combination brake and turn on your trailer. One way to eliminate the converter would be to install a pair of extra lites on your trailer. Wire the original for the brake lites, and the new lites for the turn signals. You would need a 6 wire trailer connector between the truck and trailer though. By doing that, only your truck and trailer would be compatible. Your truck plug wouldn't work with other trailers, and if someone wanted to pull your trailer, they couldn't hook up the lites. PS I should add that doing it the way I described is kinda a butcher job, but it would eliminate theneed for a converter.

[lamplighter]

I have a 2006 tacoma. my lights did the same thing last year . i have a factory installed tow package. was a 1 dollar fix.chech the fuse box under the hood there is a fuse just for you trailer lights. can,t remember ,but it was a 25/30 amp. hope this works for you

[lamplighter]

I forgot to tell you the fuse box is on the driver side under the hood. if the green lights are out on the truck side more than likely it,s the fuse

[Angler53]

I pull an 1850 Ranger with a 2005 Tundra. The truck had a four wire plug. The boat has a five wire plug. All I had to do was splice into the wire to the back-up lights. Without that the trailer breaks would lock up when backing up. I do not have a converter and didn't know there was one.

[siscoken]

When you have a 4 lamp setup on the truck , but only 2 lamp on trailer whick is the way that toyota is... then you have to use a converter. I usually wire the converter into the truck wireing well under the truck ... find a spot that is not going to get spray off of tires or go under water when launching boat. I would replace the trailer pig tail at the same time ... they do not have a good life span.Trim your wires back and make sure that they are not corroided ...this means either green or black. The wires should be shiney copper colour. Us heat shrink compression connectors of proper size for wire. When using a compression tool I like to always give them a good test pull to make sure that they are secure and then heatshrink.
Hope this helps Ken

[trouthater]

U haul usually just taps into existing wiring using cheap wire taps. I just had this problem with my Hyundai. I just went to a auto wiring specialist to put a harness made for my vehicle. Cost me $200 to fix u hauls short cuts and buy and install a wiring harness properly. I think its money well spent!

[JimA]

Thanks for all the good suggestions. After reading both here and off the GA board I see I am not alone with problems with these things. I think the biggest problem is that Uhaul converter is too sensitive (some would say a piece of crap)and they have installed it under the rear bumper where it is too exposed to water, etc flying up. That and the fact they won't stand behind it. If they don't honor it this time I am going to try to replace myself -- but plan to put it in the little storage compartment that is on side in truck bed -- will just have to extend wiring about a foot to reach. Local Walmart does not carry but will check larger stores, Parts stores, and if necessary, Toyoto. Thanks again, Jim