How do I Wire a 2002 Land Rover for a Trailer?
In the 2002 model year, Land Rover was producing three models: the Discovery II, the Freelander and the Range Rover P38. Of these models, the Range Rover is the preferred option for heavy towing. All Range Rover models are designed for towing and feature heavy chassis, axles and drive trains equivalent or superior to those typical on 3/4-ton trucks. The engine comes standard with severe-duty oil and transmission coolers -- components only available as part of an optional heavy-duty tow package on most other marques. U.S. Land Rover dealerships do not sell harnesses for the connection of a tow hitch, making wiring for a trailer a complicated project.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Trailer hitch with dedicated harness
- Screwdriver
- Converter
- Wire strippers
- Soldering kit
- Shrink-wrap kit
- Relay
- Scissors
Instructions
-
-
1
Install the wiring on a Land Rover Discovery II by purchasing and fitting an aftermarket harness designed for the vehicle. Locate the plug left by Land Rover for the dealership installation of its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) harness by removing the cover clipped into place to the right of the cargo area and looking for a loose plug, usually a white piece taped to the loom feeding to the back of the rear light cluster.
Install the wiring on a Land Rover Freelander by purchasing and fitting a generic aftermarket harness intended for hard-wiring to any 12-volt vehicle. Locate the wires you must splice behind the passenger side rear light cluster by using a screwdriver to remove a black plastic shroud to the right of the cargo bay above the tool storage area.
Install the wiring on a Land Rover Range Rover P38 by purchasing and fitting an aftermarket harness designed for the vehicle. Locate the plug left by Land Rover for the dealership installation of its OEM harness by removing the floor panel that covers the spare tire, then the panel that covers the storage compartment beneath the right rear window, then the vertical panel immediately behind the rear lamp cluster. All these panels simply clip out of their locations. The plug attaches via a short harness to the wires that serve the taillight cluster.
-
2
Install a converter designed to allow the U.K.-style independently wired factory loom to operate the U.S.-style common-wired trailer lights. Use wire strippers to remove 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire to be joined, twist the wires together mating the color codes as directed, use a soldering kit to make the joins and then use a shrink-wrap kit to insulate the joins.
-
-
3
Observe the wiring instructions supplied with the converter, which typically hold that the left turn signal operates via a red wire and attaches to the yellow wire on converter, the right turn signal operates via red/black pinstripe wire and attaches to the green wire on the converter, the sidelights operate via a green wire and attache to the brown wire on the converter, the brakes operate via a green/black pinstripe wire and attach to the red wire on the converter and the ground wire is a blue wire that attaches to the white wire on the converter.
-
4
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install a relay designed to provide power to the additional lights fitted to the trailer. The relay uses the vehicle's factory-installed loom as a signaling current but operates the trailer lights from a separate power source, which prevents the additional lights on the trailer from blowing the fuses designed only to run the vehicle lights.
-
5
Route the harness to the vicinity of the tow package. Land Rover typically provides a hole for the egress of a tow hitch harness in the rear quarter panel of its vehicles, which seals via a rubber bung. To route the wires outside, press the bung from its hole, use scissors to cut a "V"-shaped slit in the bung, slip the harness into the slit and then replace the bung.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
OEM harnesses available from British dealerships are wired for the European independent turn signals; trailers in the United States typically come fitted with common turn signals.
According to Land Rover, the fitting of an aftermarket harness or the splicing of its looms can cause every light on the vehicle to explode. However unlikely this scenario, it will certainly invalidate any warranties remaining on the vehicle.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit safari jeep image by javarman from Fotolia.com
