How to Install a Diode for Towing

When towing a vehicle behind your recreational vehicle (RV), the electrical system in the vehicle being towed can adversely affect the RV via the trailer harness connection. The solution to this problem is the installation of diodes. Diodes only allow electricity to flow in one direction. When installed properly on the RV's trailer harness, it prevents electrical currents from the tow vehicle from traveling back into the RV's electrical system.

Instructions

1

Locate the trailer's electrical receiver on the back of the tow vehicle. Follow the wires for this harness to the vehicle's electrical system. You may need to remove taillights to find the final connection point. This is done by removing the screws and pulling them out of their sockets.

2

Cut the harness's power wire at the connection with vehicle. Cut the power wire on the vehicle with wire cutters.

3

Strip 3/8 inches of insulation off the end of the three wires. Insert a flat connector on the end of each wire and compress the connector where the wire enters it with pliers.

4

Insert the wire that delivers the power from the vehicle into the end of the diode with only one connection.

5

Insert the other two wires into the end of the diode with two connections. Repeat this process for each power wire in the trailer harness.