chris2713

So I just purchased my 2012 4x4 it did not come with a towing package but already has a hitch installed. I took to ford dealership to purchase the wires but he told me that I will need to purchase a whole new harness that runs from the pcm all the way back vs. Just getting the towing harness that plugs in. I've looked on Etrailer.com and all that I have found have a round connection to the harness a and I need a more of a rectangular connection. I'll post a pic when possible. Does anyone know any other way to go about this. The harness from the pcm is $600. Thanks in advance.

chris2713

Steve@Tasca

I believe I have the answer for you,

Harness number BL3Z-13A576-B $47.11.


And the socket comes with or without the bracket,

With bracket 9C3Z-14489-A $46.17


Without bracket 9U5Z-14489-MAA $44.35


I hope that helps.

-Steve

chris2713

That looks perfect. Except the price. Do u k ow if I'll be able to use the bracket that's already welded to my hitch?

Steve@Tasca

You should be able to use your old bracket, that's why I priced it both ways.

I should also point out that those prices are all at a huge discount, retail on those parts is $71.38, $69.95 and $67.20 respectively.

-Steve

seaeagle2

those are really good prices, one thing you might check first is if there's a plastic bag in the glove box or one of the door pockets with the harness in it, also see if you already have the relay and fuses in the box under the hood, if not, and they're not in the bag, you'll need to order them too.

smokeywren

The OP stated his truck does not have the towing pkg. The bag of fuses and relays seaeagle2 mentioned comes in the glovebox of trucks that have the towing pkg. The dealer is supposed to install those fuses and relays as part of the PDI (pre-delivery inspection), but some PDI techs don't do a good job.


The regular towing pkg was optional on 2012 XL, STX and XLT. It included:
Hitch receiver
7-pin wiring harness
upgraded radiator
auxiliary transmission cooler
and SelectShift transmission.


So Chris, you want to watch your tranny temp gauge like a hawk, because your tranny cooler is not big enough to tow more than a rowboat without overheating the tranny. And an overheated tranny will soon be a dead tranny. Your truck has an analog tranny temp gauge on the dash, next to the fuel tank gauge. But remember that on a Ford tranny temp gauge, yellow means stop NOW and cool off the tranny by idling in park at 1,200 RPM. Red means it's too late - you've probably cooked the tranny.


Taska Ford Parts is a sponsor of this website, so I encourage you to use them for all your Ford OEM parts needs.

Wannafbody

Does anyone have the info on the fuses that need to be installed? I have a couple extra fuses in my glovebox. My trailer info comes up on the in dash screen so I'm assuming that the right stuff has been plugged in.

smokeywren

Your trailer info screen probably comes on because the trailer brake controller relay/fuse was installed at the factory. But that doesn't mean that the lights and battery charger wires are all working.



It's time to read your Owner's Guide. Check the fuse diagrams against the fuse block under the dash and the power distribution block under the good. In the diagrams, find the fuses and relays that mention trailer, and be sure that hole in the fuse block or power distribution block is not empty. I'll bet you find a couple of empty holes where those fuses/relays are supposed to be plugged in.


In my 2012 Owner's Guide, the fuses and relays section is in the Roadside Emergencies section beginning on page 328.

Wannafbody

I found that the relay and battery fuse wasn't installed. Thanks