Replacing Existing 7-way Trailer Connector on Motorhome on Ford E450 Chassis
Question:
I have a 2006 Jayco motorhome on an e-450 with factory tow package. The hitch is a Hidden Hitch so I do not know type of 7 way connector that was installed. Would like to replace this with a RV 7 way that also has a four way flat and both used at the same time. Reason, I want to run lights on my car when towing it, four way flat, and the tow dolly has a 7 way since the dolly has brakes. So question is, is their a plug and play solution for this? Or is their an adapter that would plug into an RV 7 way with a four flat plug, and then allow my tow dolly 7 way to plug into that? I have seen such an adapter but it goes from 7 way to round 6 way and it has the desired four way flat provision on the adapter.
asked by: Ron
Expert Reply:
Depending on the 7-way connector you presently have, we might have a very easy solution for you.
Take a look at your existing 7-way, and see if it's possible to unplug the factory harness from the back of the connector. There will be a gray locking tab that needs to be slid toward the front of the vehicle before the connector can be unplugged. If it's possible to unplug the harness, the Tekonsha # 74682 would be a perfect plug and play replacement.
If you cannot unplug the connector from the rear of the existing 7-way, you'll need to cut the wires leading to the existing 7-way and remove the connector. Use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to determine which wire serves which function and label the wires as you go. Have a helper activate the right turn, left turn and running lights one at a time and test the wires as each function is activated, which will indicate the wire's function. This will cover three functions, the white wire will be ground, the blue wire will be the brake controller output and the red (or orange) wire will be the 12-volt feed to the trailer. The remaining wire will be the reverse light circuit.
Once each circuit is identified, wire in the 7-way pigtail, part # PK11998. The wires on this pigtail will wire to your vehicle wiring as follows:
-Red - Left Turn and Stop - 14 gauge
-White - Ground - 10 gauge
-Blue - Electric Brakes - 12 gauge
-Green - Right Turn and Stop - 14 gauge
-Black - Battery - 12 gauge
-Brown - Running Lamps - 14 gauge
-Yellow - Backup Lamps - 14 gauge
With the pigtail installed, you can install the # 74682 mentioned above. The 74682 WILL allow you to use both the 7-way and 4-pole connector at the same time, as long as the combined power draw doesn't exceed the capabilities of the tow package wiring of the E450 chassis. Using LED tow lights and replacing the lights on your tow dolly with equivalent LED lamps will dramatically lower the power draw to a fraction of what incandescent bulbs use.
Products Referenced in This Question
Reese Multi-Plug Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way and 4-Way Flat Trailer Connectors
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Reese
more information >
4' Pigtail Wiring Harness for Pollak Replacement 7-Pole RV Socket
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Vehicle Wiring Harness
- Universal
- 7 Blade
- Pollak
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Upgraded Circuit Protected Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- 1-1/2 Feet Long
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
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