Receiver hitch brake light connection?

[TigreST]

Hello brothers of the 2018 RAM.
Begging forgiveness here if this has been asked/solved already but....

I rescued my old "RAM" logo receiver hitch brake light unit from my 2003 Dodge Ram and have it stuffed into the receiver hitch box on my new 2018 truck. It's a nice place holder and sorta finishes off the back of the truck somewhat with its flat black back lit finish. it helps keep the crap out of the hitch also.

On the 03 truck I had installed a connector "Tee" harness with a 4-prong trailer connection hidden under the rear bumper so you could run your small utility trailer lighting and such...or your receiver hitch brake light unit as I mention above.

The 2018 has the 4-prong trailer connection built into the rear bumper connection plate with the Class VI hitch/lighting connection. Has anyone done a connection of one of these 4-prong receiver hitch brake light units to the truck that does not include simply plugging it into the back bumper plate location? I can't see having the unit plugged into the existing outlet at the bumper as it's not very clean for daily use IMHO.

I was wondering if one of those wiring harness "Tee" trailer wiring connection units could be used, but at first glance the trucks stock harness doesn't seem to be as accessible (could not find it) as the old "03" trucks was.

Thanks for any info.

T.

 

[kad]

Actually, CURT makes what you need. You unplug the connector from the back of the plug in the bumper, plug the Curt harness in and then plug the factory connector into the other end of the Curt harness. You then have a second 4 wire connection available under the truck to use for tailgate light bars, hight plug lights, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009FJ38Q

-K

*Note: You'll want to drop the spare tire down for easy acces to the plug on the back of the bumper.

 

[TigreST]

Thanks kad,
I actually put some more effort in and found the same unit.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Ram/1500/2018/C55384.html?vehicleid=20181175608

Cool! Only thing left to do is order up.

Thanks again.

T.

 

[kad]

Thanks kad,
I actually put some more effort in and found the same unit.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Ram/1500/2018/C55384.html?vehicleid=20181175608

Cool! Only thing left to do is order up.

Thanks again.

T.

Yup, that's the critter. The only thing I did when I installed mine was to wrap all that exposed wire in tesla tape to protect it before I put it up there.

-K

 

[TigreST]

Something of a dated reply but... So..I got the wiring mod done...and no I did not remove the spare tire to gain access for the plug disconnects and re-connect of the expansion harness. My 2018 only has 10600km's (6000 approx. miles) so the plugs all came apart without issue. Spent a bit of time mapping out a wiring route to keep things tidy. That took longer then the plug-n-play install. I dosed all the connections with K7-Krown lube to ensure they stay corrosion free. I also upgrade the bulb in the "RAM" logo receiver hitch light unit to LED. This works much better as a (hopefully) fourth brake light device to help keep them dough heads out of my ass end at stop signs and red lights. It is also more in keeping with the "instant on" lighting that the OEM brakelights exhibit . Very please here.

One other idea/tip: For those in climates that include winter running and salt and crap on the roads. What I've done to help keep the crap out of the receive hitch opening is to take one of the cheaper (?) simple receiver hitch plastic plugs/cover and put it on the front end of the receiver hitch opening that his hidden under the truck. This makes for a semi water tight enclosure for your receiver port. Nonthing worse then trying to fit your receive hitch unit into the receiver port and meeting up with a 1/8 inch of dust and rust and what-have-you in the port which aggravates your attempts at such a simple job. I also dose the receiver port with more K-7 Krown lube. Cheers gents (and ladies). All the best in the new year.

 

[kad]

One other idea/tip: For those in climates that include winter running and salt and crap on the roads. What I've done to help keep the crap out of the receive hitch opening is to take one of the cheaper (?) simple receiver hitch plastic plugs/cover and put it on the front end of the receiver hitch opening that his hidden under the truck. This makes for a semi water tight enclosure for your receiver port. Nonthing worse then trying to fit your receive hitch unit into the receiver port and meeting up with a 1/8 inch of dust and rust and what-have-you in the port which aggravates your attempts at such a simple job. I also dose the receiver port with more K-7 Krown lube. Cheers gents (and ladies). All the best in the new year.

That's an excellent idea. I hadn't noticed it was open at the back.

-K