I read a bunch of threads about the trailer light converter located by the driver's side tailgate light. My trailer's tail lights and left turn/brake were not working. The lights, cables and connections on the trailer work fine, the problem is coming from my truck. Saturday I wanted to take the boat out so I bridged the connector to at least have my tail lights working and not get stopped by a cop. It did the work. As a safety I disconnected the trailer lights before launching and retrieving.
My question is, what is the converted needed for? Why not connect directly, and maybe adding an inline 5-10 amp fuse as a protection? Have anyone done something similar?
In any case, I purchased a Hopkins T-connector from Amazon for $35 (including shipping) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Q7ZLO/ref=nosim/. I will use it but if it breaks again I may consider another solution. Lights in the trailer get wet and can easily short. I think there should be an easy accessible fuse, or it should be part of the procedure to disconnect the lighting while the trailer is in the water?

 

The 4Runner has separate turn and brake lights. The converter allows the single stop/turn/tail assembly on the trailer to work without (to quote my Toyota mechanic neighbor) "very bad things" happening. I guess the power will come back through the system and cause problems....

 

Just replace the converter and be done with it. FYI - the aftermarket converter I bought was designed to install on the passenger side, not to replace the original on the drivers side.

 

well, what I did is placed it on the driver's side, connected it to the harness on that side, cut the other side's harness and connected it to the cable from the right turn signal. I also had to reverse connect the turn signal green and yellow cables.