I just ordered a hitch receiver for my Prius. Now I need a wiring kit, does anyone make a plug and play version for a 04+ Prius?
Compliments of Darell (darelldd): http://evnut.com/prius_trailer_wiring.htm Also, a quick search for "trailer wiring" brings up useful information on that topic.
I realize it's four years after you asked the question. The answer is now "yes." The Prius wiring kit is a Tow Ready T-One Connector number 118505. The package also has the logos of DrawTite, Hidden Hitch and Reese on it (but I'm confident it will work OK with my Curt hitch ). Apparently it is not very widely distributed yet; for example, I didn't find it on etrailer.com when I looked there. I found mine at an outfit called Hitch Republic through eBay, $70.52 with shipping: listing here, if it's not expired yet when you read this. It's plug and play AND has a powered/isolated module so you don't burn out something in the tiny wires the Prius has going to it's admirably efficient tail lights. I just installed mine today. It was reasonably easy. Getting the tail lights unplugged without breaking plastic made me nervous. I had to trim the wiring kit's terminal ring that connects to the 12V battery (an Optima battery in my case--not stock, maybe that was the problem.) That plastic cover over the top of the 12V battery's positive terminal has baffled me both of the times I've dealt with it. (I remembered being baffled a couple of years ago when I changed the battery, but didn't remember how it worked.) Typical fussy problems--the kit was really pretty simple to install.
When I search U-Haul's site for Prius hitch and wiring, I find their part 13486 for $16.95. Looks like it's generic for "foreign and domestic vehicles," thus not plug-and-play for those of us squeamish about cutting our baby's wires or piercing the insulation with wire taps. Also I'm guessing it doesn't have the powered/isolated module. That module is supposed to help in three cases: If your trailer lights draw more power than the Prius tail light circuits can supply. If there's some sort of pinched wiring short or something in the trailer wiring. If the Prius lights use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) that might not light up the trailer lights bright enough. I don't know if that is the case or not. I'd be curious to find out for sure what the U-Haul kit is like . . . but I just realized I don't care anymore because I already spent the money and installed the one I got . . . that's $70 I'll never see again.
Don't I know it. Four years is how long it took me to give up my old car/tow vehicle and decide to finally wire up the Prius. Now that some of the "new" wore off it.
I just ordered the Prius wiring kit 118505 from Hitch Republic on ebay, through the link provided by Parker. It is currently priced at $49.95 + shipping. Cost me $64.27. I am relieved to find this kit. Looks totally plug & play. I had my Curt hitch installed at Uhaul. They did not have access to a wiring kit that would work, so I'm guessing the Uhaul kit is not specifically for the Prius.
Here's the current UHaul kit. I don't know if it works with a Prius. U-Haul: Moving supplies: U-Haul 4-Way Flat
I got the UHaul kit to work with my teardrop trailer. Installation was a breeze with a Haynes manual on hand (to see the wiring diagram for the rear taillights). Took me only a half hour and all i needed was a pair of pliers! Galaxy Nexus ? 2
That is the very reason I waited on my Prius c ... the wiring to those rear lamps is very small, and an isolator is definitely desirable. In the end, however, I bought a lightly used Prius Gen 3 Hatchback Two for my towing duties.
