Back in 2002 I wired up a 2001 Chevy Malibu with diodes to use the original tail/brakelights. It seemed easy at the time with only a
few choices to be made with regard to puchasing a kit.
Fast forward to NOW, and there seems to be too many options regarding toad wiring. We just purchased a 2012 Chevy Malibu to
tow, and I would like to use the same set-up as the '01 had. Looking at past posts on the subject there is the consideration of separate
and combined systems, and the FT connection.
Is there a plug & play lighting kit for a 7th generation (2008-2012) Malibu that anyone has info on?
T-Man
Check this out...
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring | etrailer.com (http://www.etrailer.com/tbwiring-2012_Chevrolet_Malibu.htm)
A place to start.
Thank you Roger.
After I pick up the Malibu tomorrow and study the taillights I'll be able to pick a wiring diagram. That looks like the kit I used back in '02, except for the flat 4-wire connectors.
I found a roll of trailer wire in my shop and I'm going with this;
Amazon.com: Hopkins 48955 Towed Vehicle Diodes Kit: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48955-Towed-Vehicle-Diodes/dp/B0002Q81Y4)
Thanks again Roger.....................I'd never heard of Hopkins before.
All of my tow plug-in 7 blade sockets (coach and Jeep) and the cable with plugs at both ends came from Hopkins. Durable and reliable. I switched to the bigger 7 blade style for more reliability. I like it. Easier to connect and disconnect as well.
Using this is simple, plug and play. No need to cut vehicle wiring. So easy to do I even installed one on my truck and CRV. David
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Trailer Wiring | etrailer.com (http://www.etrailer.com/t1-2012_Chevrolet_Malibu.htm)
This is the only 'plug-n-play' toad rear tail light wiring kit that does not require any wires to be cut. Unplug tail light socket, plug in Hopkins to tail light and wiring harness.
We have been using it for 4 years, about the time it was created by an Doctor and called TowDaddy. It has a diode circuit board.
Dinghy Towing Harnesses (http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/products/dinghy-towing-harnesses/?p=all) We have it on our 2012 Jeep Grand and did all the wiring ourselves. It has never caused a drop of trouble.
Before TowDaddy, we used to cut tail light wires and install three 3-connector Roadmaster diodes on each side of the Jeep, one diode for turn, parking & brake, six diodes total.
Roadmaster Hy-Power Diodes (Qty 2) Roadmaster Accessories and Parts RM-792 (http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Roadmaster/RM-792.html) TowDaddy/Hopkins makes installation simple and will allow all wiring to be returned to factory state if desired. Nice feature for warranty service or vehicle sale.
Barry thanks for thinking of me but I'm all set with the toad lights and now enjoying sunny Florida.