Trailer Wiring: OEM or Tekonsha?

[LilBroBadlands]

Right now I have both kits and am planning to install one or the other tomorrow. Tekonsha definitely wins for instructions, videos, T-harnesses, but I am still thinking about the OEM. Positive wire through the cabin or underneath? Harnesses or splicing? Long term durability? Looking for advice from anyone who has installed one or the other. Thanks!

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[wireman]

I haven't installed one on the BL I own.

I did add a Tekonsha to a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I towed with. It had the towing package which included a under dash plug for the brake controller.

Had to buy an adapter plug from the OE plug to the Tekonsha.

I prefer the plug & play option over cutting/splicing wires on any type of installation.

Sometimes that's not possible so the choice is yours.

 

[RWT]

I did the Tekonsha it was pretty easy and the T-connections are a "snap" (see what I did there?). I followed this video pretty close: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=tekonsha+trailer+wiring+for+the+ford+bronco+sport#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:10c39abc,vid:hstQYQO7m1Q,st:0

I ran the power feed wire under the vehicle to the battery similar to that shown in the video. FWIW, the Ford aftermarket wiring kit also suggest the same basic routing for the power wire. The Tekonsha now comes with heat shrink connectors for the splicing of the power wire. I also used black RTV on any cuts I made in the rubber grommets.

I couldn't find any advantage to the Ford kit.

JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed

 

[LilBroBadlands]

So, I ended up using the Ford OEM kit and returned the Tekonsha. It was a true pain to route the power wire as shown in the instructions: through the A pillar, down along the driver side all the way to the rear corner. Suffice to say I know how all the trim panels come off and are reattached now (good learning experience), and can say the panel that says “airbag” to the left of the dash is the most difficult to reattach - even the clips are phosphorescent.

I used some attachment clips I had on hand for the splices, except the power which was crimped and then heat shrunk wrapped. others said, I used a black silicone sealant on every penetration and wrapped the taillight wires completely in electrical tape.

I used the silver bubble wrap for the flat four all along the muffler and the wire end rolls up and sits in the receiver behind a rubber cap. It took about a half day of work to go slowly and carefully and deal with a few mistakes here and there. I can post pix if anyone would like.

Thanks for your advice!

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