The wiring was factory installed on my 2015 Durango so I bought the hitch from the dealer, easy install but the lights failed to work. Two different dealers told me $94 to activate the trailer wiring harness. I started to protest, one dropped to $50 the other $75, I was still pissed to pay to activate something I had already paid for. My next call is to Chrysler customer service.

 

I'm not sure what's involved in "activating" the trailer wiring, but after looking at the wiring diagram, it may be as simple as adding 3 fuses in the TIPM. Check your TIPM to see if fuse locations M31 (20A), J14 (20A), and J03 (40A) are populated. If not, try installing fuses in there and see if that "activates" the trailer wiring.

Per the wiring diagram, M31 provides power to the circuit board for the trailer wiring Turn/Stop lights and the trailer wiring backup lights, while J14 provides power for the trailer wiring Parking lamps and J03 the power for the trailer wiring Fused B+ (7 pin only).

If you plan to use a brake controller you'll also need fuses M18 (15A) and J09 (30A).

-Rod

 

All the fuses are there, the service adviser said that car had to be "told" that it now had a hitch using a scan tool.

 

So out of curiosity I hooked up my Autel DS708 to my 2011 tonight and sure enough, under the Central Gateway module, "Trailer tow" is one of the programmable options. Not surprisingly to me (since I've been towing a camper with my Durango) the parameter returned "True."

-Rod

 

The reason that the 'Tow Package' option has to be activated in the computer is because the body control module that controls the lighting signal to all of the lights, will not send a brake/stop/turn/hazard signal to the trailer wiring harness if it doesn't 'know' that it is present and needed.

Everything is controlled by computers.

 

My '12 with tow package did need anything reprogrammed, I just plugged in the wire harness that was in the glove box and hooked it to my brake controller.

 

Your vehicle came with the tow package...the above is people that added the trailer package aftermarket.

 

Oh, right. oops.