How To Wire A 6-Pole Vehicle Connector To Charge And Maintain The Auxiliary Battery On A Trailer

Question:

I have a 6 pole round plug for my trailer that I am trying to find out how to wire the center pole to charge or maintain my battery that I use for a 12v winch that is attached to the trailer. This battery is also used for the pull-off break. This trailer is sometimes pulled by a Ford 350 motorhome or an 86 GMC van. Both these vehicles have the same 6 pole connection. Should there be a breaker or fuse between the plug and the battery on the trailer? And where do you come off the vehicles to the plug? Thanks for your help

asked by: H H

Expert Reply:

To wire the center pole on your vehicles 6-Way connector to charge or maintain the battery on your trailer you will want to run a length of 10 gauge wire, # 10-1-1, with an inline 40 amp circuit breaker, # PK54540, from the center pole of the 6-Way vehicle connector to the positive side of your vehicles battery.

Using a inline fuse on the trailer side while not required, would protect your vehicle from any problems associated with the wire or the battery on the trailer side. The center pole from the trailer side connector should be connected to the positive side of the trailer battery with 10 gauge wire.

You will also want to check to make sure you have a good, clean ground connection, to the trailer chassis, on the negative side of the trailer battery.

I am sending a link to a information page on trailer wiring.

expert reply by: Jeff D