Posted: Jun 23 2004 at 7:26am | IP Logged

I bought an after-market hitch for my Titan, not knowing that there appears to be absolutely no way to go from the OEM plug on the bumper to a standard 7-pin or 4-pin flat trailer connector.

I can't believe I bought a truck with all this honkin' big towin' power and I can't hook up two itty bitty trailer lights.

The dealer is no help. says there's no such part. The trailer specialists I've been to all say "sure, no problem" then when I look at it, they say "sorry, I can't help."

Any suggestions?

Posted: Jun 25 2004 at 6:34am | IP Logged

OK, I've got an update.

The dealer's parts guy came through for me, and ordered a "connector assembly," (part #24340-7S000, for those who are going to need it; $12.55). This plugged directly in to the non-standard OEM plug; the other end of the connector is a standard, 7-connector blade. At NAPA, I picked up a generic bracket and a 7-to-4 pin adaptor because my boat trailer has a 4-pin flat connector on it. With a little cutting and a little drilling, the assembly fit into the bracket and the bracket was mounted below the bumper.

So far, so good. A little testing with the voltmeter showed that I had 12 volts going to the left & right turn pins, but no brake or running light voltages. I plugged in the trailer, but no turn lights. Tested the trailer, had 11 volts going to the lamp with the blinker going, so I should at least have turn signals, right?

Nothing.

After a little more head-scratching, I began looking at the Titan wiring diagram which the dealer had kindly printed out for me. It turns out that there are two trailer-tow relays, which are located in the fuse box under the hood. My Titan didn't have them.

I called up the dealer, he's ordering them for me, hopefully they will be in on Saturday.

My guess is that, without the relays, the amperage to the turn signals is insufficient to light the bulbs, and once the relays are in, the amps will be there, as well as the other voltages I need for running and brake lights (thank god I'm not also dealing with trailer brakes -- I'd probably shoot myself at this point).

All this for a truck which, according to the sales guy, was already "wired for towing." I have respect for the guy, I think he was unaware himself of the deficiencies in that statement.

Hopefully, other Titan owners trying to install an after-market hitch (or dealers) will see my posts and I'll save them some grief.

I'll post again after I get the relays in, but am still looking for any hints/ideas/suggestions in the meantime.

Posted: Jun 29 2004 at 10:10am | IP Logged

I used the Hoppy - LiteMate Trailer Plug-In Wiring Kit - For Chevrolet And GMC Trucks.  It worked perfectly.  It terminates in a flat 4 pin connector.  All lights on the trailer function properly.  I am wondering why you would need the extra relay, when I asked the Nissan Parts supplier, i was told that everything was ready to go.  Since my boat is only 2800 Pounds, I installed a Type III bumper hitch, all for less then $100, including wiring harness.

Edit-- Could it be that the 7 to 4 adapter is shorted some how?

Posted: Jun 29 2004 at 1:10pm | IP Logged

I got a simple 7 pin to 4 pin T connector and have been using it for months and it works perfectly.  It was just plug and play ! I got it on-line for something like $29.  See an example of what I am using at www.etrailer.com   Code: 18384

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&am p;Store_Code=E&Product_Code=18384&Category_Code=ELEP WC

Posted: Jun 30 2004 at 7:41pm | IP Logged

I talked to a buddy of mine who has a Titan SE Extended, he has no relays on his, so his lights don't work either.  Mine did not come with a tow package, but I have relays installed.  hmmmmm

Did adding the relays resolve your issue?

Posted: Jun 30 2004 at 8:09pm | IP Logged

Save yourself the headache and get the OEM.  It retails for $229 but I got 10% off from my dealer since I bought the Titan there.  Even though it costs more, it's worth it because it has the 7 pin connector already on the hitch that connects to the existing wiring.  It looks much better than mounting a seperate connector on the bumper.  It also comes with the two relays that plug in under the hood.

Anyone that is considering a Titan, the big tow package is a must.  I didn't get it and it is costing me more than the $450 for the big tow option just to get the hitch, mirrors and trailer brake wiring harness.  I'm paying more and don't get the benefit of the tranny temp gauge and lower gearing that give you the extra 2000 lb. towing capacity.  The power heated towing mirrors cost almost as much as the whole towing package.

At the time I bought the Titan I was thinking about getting a boat and did not need a huge tow rating.  I ended up buying a travel trailer instead and could have bought a larger one with the extra 2000 lb. tow capacity.  I was only thinking I would need a hitch but with a trailer you need the wider mirrors.

Posted: Jul 01 2004 at 8:26am | IP Logged

Charlank,

What are the part numbers on your relays?  Mine just say nissan, I wonder if yours have any?

EDIT-  I have found them on mine.  They are 25230-79945 and 25230-79964