Hello all, I am in the last stages of installing the OEM wiring harness on my Element. I run into kind of a problem. The instuctions tell you to remove the bumper in order to route the wiring from inside the spare tire well to the trailer. Unfortunately my valley hitch is already installed (by U-Haul) and since it pushes up in the underside of the bumper, I am unable to remove the bumper (there are two bumper clips that are covered by the receiver.) I am not really excited about taking the hitch off so... Anybody have any ideas about alternative routing options for the tailer wire? It seems like the wires would get crimped if I left them in the tire well and brought them out through the tailgate when towing. Maybe not though. Anyway, would appreciate any input you guys have. Thanks

Hello all, I am in the last stages of installing the OEM wiring harness on my Element. I run into kind of a problem. The instuctions tell you to remove the bumper in order to route the wiring from inside the spare tire well to the trailer. Unfortunately my valley hitch is already installed (by U-Haul) and since it pushes up in the underside of the bumper, I am unable to remove the bumper (there are two bumper clips that are covered by the receiver.) I am not really excited about taking the hitch off so... Anybody have any ideas about alternative routing options for the tailer wire? It seems like the wires would get crimped if I left them in the tire well and brought them out through the tailgate when towing. Maybe not though. Anyway, would appreciate any input you guys have. Thanks

My wiring stays in the tire well and I pull it out thru the rear hatch when I am towing someting....it does not get crimped and works VERY WELL....keeps the pig-tail up and out of the way unless I need it and then it is only a few seconds until I have it in place. My Element is an 04 and I installed it so it would come out of the side pannel into the spare tire well.....just they way it should :cool:

After spending most of my life in Minnesota, I have grown accustomed to storing the harness inside the vehicle, where the winter road salt could not corrode the plug or wiring connections.

I have never had problems with wires crimping in the trunk lid, as the rubber gasket gives enough.

I also think it looks much cleaner than it hanging off the back of your vehicle.

If I used it every day, I would probably route it to the outside permanently.

Thanks for the opinions. I routed the wire out of the spare tire cover then out the bottom of the rear hatch. The wires don't seem to be significantly crimped and it is nice not having the flat pin hanging out the back all the time. My only concern is, when I have the back fully loaded with camping gear, coolers etc., how much will the wire be pinched with all that weight on the spare tire cover. Time for a road trip. :)

...how much will the wire be pinched with all that weight on the spare tire cover?Good point. I have already used my Dremel tool to alleviate the left rear corner of the spare tire cover, so that the harness doesn't get pinched. I was able to do this without making it too visible from the top.