How to Connect Trailer Wiring: 2003 Chevy S-10 Pickup

The Plan: Borrow a tent-trailer and go camping

The Problem: No hitch and no electrical connection on my pickup

The Process: Install a hitch and an electrical connection compatible with the trailer

Step 1: The easy part: Install a hitch

The 2003 Chevy S-10 bumper is completely adequate for hauling a tent-trailer, at least the one I borrowed from a friend. The bumper is labeled with two weight limits:

3500 LBS TRAILER LOAD MAXIMUM
350 LBS TONGUE LOAD MAXIMUM

The single-axle Coleman tent-trailer does not exceed these limits.

The trailer required a two-inch diameter ball hitch. My bumper was pre-drilled with a half-inch hole. I purchased a ball hitch rated at 3500 pounds, with a half-inch threaded stem. It fit perfectly in the bumper.

Comments

[Mjwilcox972]

In my S-10 under the left side, there is a large taped wire bundle. It holds all the wires needed to hook up a trailer, and in the fuse box under the hood, are dedicated fuses for the trailer. Check your owner's manual.

[MiltReynolds]

I will! Thanks for the suggestion!

[MiltReynolds]

I agree. I haven't pulled a trailer since our camping trip earlier last summer, so I imagine the wire taps are slowly oxidizing the contacts. I regret, now, not soldering every connection!

Thanks for your suggestion!

[Mjwilcox972]

Those wire taps suck. When you can, solder the wires together, or use Posi-Taps. They are waterproof.