Towing a European Spec Trailer with a US Spec 2014 Ram Pickup Truck

Question:

I am in Europe with a U.S.A. specs 2014 RAM Outdoorsman 4x4 crew cab 6.4L gas V8. I am looking to wire the brake and turning lights to a standard European specs cargo trailer I am afraid that Ive confused myself searching for the proper solution. Can you help?

asked by: Robert H

Expert Reply:

The issue that you are experiencing is due to the fact that the US and Europe use different types of connectors for trailers. In the US, the brake lights and turn signals are on the same circuit and there is just one circuit for running lights. In Europe, there are separate circuits for just about everything, which makes it easier to troubleshoot a problem should there ever be one.

What you will need to do is change the connector on the truck to match what the trailer requires. To do this you will need to obtain a matching vehicle side connector locally and a special converter, # 118158. You can use the tow package wiring already on the Ram, you will just need to remove the wires from the existing connector and attach them to the new connector.

On the converter there is a white wire for ground, a green wire for right turn and brake lights and a yellow wire for left turn and brake lights. The running light wire bypasses this converter.

On the output side you will have a yellow wire for left turn only, green for right turn only, and red for brake lights only. Feed those output wires into the appropriate places in the new vehicle side connector along with the wires that bypass the converter and you should be good to go.

expert reply by: Michael H