Hey folks,

I'm looking to get the Curt trailer hitch, but I'm trying to figure out the wiring. The Draw-Tite T-One looks perfect, as I wouldn't have to splice into the factory wiring, but they don't offer one for the xB2, nor do they have a planned release date. But I don't know if they've even checked to see if it's compatible.

Any idea if the brake wiring is similar between the two generations?

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-T1~118300...utm_medium=ppc

thanks!
mike

 

Hey Guys, A while ago I hooked up the Curt hitch to hold my bike rack. At the same time, I purchased the wiring harness so I could pull my trailer. The other day I hooked the wiring up. It's a piece of cake! 1. take out the spare tire cover. 2. remove the left (drivers side) box to expose the wireing. 3. make a hole in the grommet nearest the corner to run wires through. ...I should note that I found no direct plug system online so I went for a splice type setup that uses a direct line from the battery to power the trailer lights...4. splice the box into the wiring harness and all you have to do is bring in power from the battery! 5. Run the battery cable. (This was the most difficult part for me as I had to figure it out! This is where you win "cause I did it.) Removing the air filter box gives nice access to rout the wire from the battery down to the brake lines which run all the way to the back of the car. I tie-wrapped the wire every 6 inches or so all the way back to the wires I poked through the grommet and hooked up my battery power. I did use silicone caulk to seal the grommet hole and the wire connections. I also used the silicone to adhere the wiring box to the inside of the car....It works great!!! hope this is a help.

 

Hey, I just found this thread. Jobdesigns, I've got two coments:

1) Good job going with the powered converter for the tail lights. I have installed many hitches and done the wiring... and powered converters are the way to go. Much safer for the car's wiring, and puts more power to the trailer lights, which makes them brighter.

2) Be careful running 12v power along the brake lines. If the line rubs enough to wear through the insulation, it will arc on the brake lines (since they are grounded) and will burn a hole instantly through them! Trust me... I've done it. Not with trailer lighting... but I've touched a 12v+ wire to a brake line and it was like I drilled a hole in it. It wouldn't be cool if that happened while you were driving.

Another note for people who are wiring up trailer lights. You might not have to go all the way to the battery. I ran the wires in my xD inside the cabin, in the wiring tunnel under the door sills. There is a nice high powered 12v access point in the main fuse box under the dash. Most of them are taken up with the big 30A fuses, but one of them is unused. You'll want to use a fuse... but the trailer wiring should come with the fuse, anyway. I don't know if the xB has an available power connection, but I wouldn't doubt it.