pre-wiring for '09 murano hitch?

[texastom5]

I'm about to get a U-Haul hitch installed on my '09 SL. Does anyone know if it is pre-wired for a wiring harness near the back end of the car. I had a hitch installed on my '03 SE, and the harness wiring had to be run from the battery through to the rear of the car - I didn't like it.

[KJSmitty]

The 09 Mo is not pre-wired for trailer lights. You need to either purchase the factory/OEM harness for near $200 , or you could purchase the one from the below link for $55 . I have one on order yet have not received as of yet. I read where another gentleman installed it himself and it was very straightforward. It plugs right in/between your existing tail light harness connections. UHaul may even have one of their own or obviously have access to one like this. I just wouldn't spend the $200 on the OEM.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~118481.htm

ALSO, just so you know the hitch for the 09 Mo is extremely easy to install if you have some wrenches/sockets etc.. From the same site above you can get a $140 "Drawtite" hitch that looks really nice - as good as anything UHaul will install. Anyway, I don't know what you are paying at UHaul yet for $200 you could do it yourself very easy. Many of us have done it including myself in less than 45 minutes. The wiring harness takes about an hour given the rear panel removal/replacement etc..

Ask away if you have questions or would like pictures etc..

Good luck

Smitty

[MrSlug]

Smitty,

Could not agree more. I went to Etrailers and got a Curt for only a 150 bucks. I would opt for the 2" Class III, just mind the limit of 3500Lbs on your murano's towing limit.

No fing way I would pay 450+180 for a hitch and wiring. You don't even get fries with that.

[texastom5]

Thanks.

[Hmason]

U-Haul in CT quoted me $357.80 for a Class 3 with wiring harness all installed. What do you think?

[KJSmitty]

Not bad,

Considering parts would run you $200 the rest you could call $75/yr labor rate. Quite typical and reasonable for shop rates now days.

If me however, I would save $150 and install myself. But I enjoy that type of work. :-)

[texastom5]

My U-Haul hitch, harness, and installation will be ~$330 if I'm remembering the quote correctly, so you're in the ballpark.

[Medic1530]

KJSmitty -

Do you have pics of your hitch install? I just ordered the drawtite hitch from etrailer. Any helpful hints on the install? I've read a few posts where they say you don't have to lower the exhaust on the '09 to install. Is this true?

Thanks.

[KJSmitty]

Greetings Medic1530,

Correct! No need to drop the exhaust on the 09 - especially with the Drawtite etc. What I did and I recommend is put several layers of masking tape on the painted bumper area - lower inside area next to each exhaust tip (prevents scratching the paint). You will have to flex and rub this area while gently slipping the hitch up/in. This will make more sense once you get going.

I must run at the moment yet will post a few pictures later.

Cheers.

[KJSmitty]

See attached,

No making fun of my wife's dirty Mo..... :-)

-Also, note the black plug inserts on either side of the receiver. Those are the plugs/mounting tabs that were attached to the bumper support that you must remove to make room for the hitch. The install instructions have you using the supplied "zip-ties" to strap your bumper to the hitch. If you have a drill - you can drill 2 holes in the locations of the tabs (insert the plugs) and have a much nicer/secure/professional install etc..

Have fun!

[Medic1530]

Thanks for the pics and info. That will be a HUGE help. Was your vehicle on a lift when you installed the hitch? Also, did you do the wiring yourself?

[KJSmitty]

No lift,

Just did it in the driveway.

As for the wiring, check out my second post up top. I received the harness yet have yet to install. Looks quite easy however. Nice Harness too. I may get to it this weekend and will take pictures when I do.

Cheers

[Medic1530]

Thanks again, KJSmitty. Just got my hitch yesterday. That puppy is going in this weekend!

Would definitly appreciate pictures of the harness install. I've seen some posts indicating you have to wire to the battery and others that say you don't. My preference would be not to have to run a wire to the battery if at all possible.

[jayhawk]

This is late reply, but I just installed the eTrailer wiring harness and discovered that the white wire at the back of my 2009 SL is for the trailer power supply with an always-on 12v power. HOWEVER, in my case, I found that the "trailer" fuse (in the fuse box in the engine compartment) was missing. Once I installed a fuse there, the white wire became live.

(I advised etrailer about that, and the very helpful customer service rep there, Sarah L, looked into it and found on her own initiative that the Curt wiring harness that they also sell actually has a connector meant to connect to the connector on the end of that white wire. She has advised etrailer's technical team about all that.)

Hope this might help.

--jayhawk