Adding a 7-Way Trailer Connector to a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

Question

Question:

I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 and need to tow a pop up with a 7 way plug. The dodge has a 4 flat. The trailer has a battery that needs to recieve power as i am driving. What wire would i connect where to make sure the trailer battery is charging while i drive? I dont have a brake controller. Do i really need one? The trailer only weighs about 3500lbs loaded

asked by: Chris P

0

Expert Reply:

In order to add a 7-Way to your 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 that came with a factory 4-Way you will need to use a 4- to 7-Way adapter such as # 30717. The white wire will ground to the truck frame. The black wire is the 12 volt power circuit you will need to supply power to the trailer battery.

The black wire will need to connect to the positive battery terminal on the truck. You will need some wire and a 40 amp circuit breaker. For wire you can use # 12-1-1 which is sold by the foot. I recommend getting 25 feet so you have plenty of wire to complete the installation. For a 40 amp circuit breaker use # PK54540.

The wire will go from the 7-Way to the AUX post on the breaker then another length of wire will go from the BAT post on the breaker to the positive battery terminal.

The blue wire on the adapter is for electric brakes and the last wire is for reverse lights. If you determine that you want to add a brake controller I recommend # ETBC7 instead of the adapter, wire, and breaker listed above. The ETBC7 kit comes with all the parts you will need except for a brake controller.

Whether or not brakes are needed is largely dependent on the laws where you will be towing the trailer. Each state has different trailer braking requirements. Really it is easier and safer to just have a brake controller to activate the trailer's electric brakes. So because of that I recommend going with the ETBC7 and adding a brake controller such as the P2 # 90885. I have included some links that show and explain the ETBC7 installation for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

The brake controller port you have found in your 2005 Dodge Ram doesn't go all the way back to the rear of your vehicle, it stops at the connector that is located under the driver's side wheel well. In order to finalize the…

view full answer...

Answer 2

We have everything you need to install a brake controller on your 2004 Dodge Ram. Since your truck does not have any factory trailer wiring, we will want to install a trailer connector first because the brake controller will tie into the trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 3

If you prefer using the Curt Venturer Trailer Brake Controller, part #C74VV, then we have the adapters required to make them work. If you already have a 4-way on your 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup, then the adapter for the Venturer is part #C51332. This…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The brake controller port on a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 equipped with the appropriate tow package is located under the dash near the emergency brake pedal. It will be taped to another wire bundle and will have the harness, part #3020-P, connected to it. I…

view full answer...

Answer 5

You can add a 7-Way trailer connector and retain the use of a 4-Way as well by installing #37185. The 4-Way you have will plug into the 37185 and the remaining wires would have to be hardwired in. The white wire grounds to the truck frame. Black is…

view full answer...

Answer 6

On my 2004 Dodge Ram (which would be the same as your 2003) the factory trailer connector plug split off from a larger wiring harness on the inboard side of the drivers side frame rail near the rear bumper. There should be a rectangular connector…

view full answer...

Answer 7

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

view full answer...

Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 9

The wire connected to your 12V (1 o'clock) position on your 7-way should be connected to a 40 circuit breaker like #9510 and then to your vehicle's positive battery terminal using 10 gauge wire like #10-1-1. The 12V power at your trailer…

view full answer...

Answer 10

The remaining wires from the 4- to 7-Way adapter #37185 will need to be hardwired in to your 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 to make the 7-Way fully functional. The blue wire is for electric brakes, black is for 12 volt power, and purple is for reverse lights.…

view full answer...

Answer 11

I have added a photo detailing the wiring connections for the Pollack Heavy-Duty, 7-Pole, Round Pin conncetor, #PK11700, see link. This is a SAE J560 compliant connector. The wiring diagram for the vehicle side connector, #PK11720, is pictured also.…

view full answer...

Answer 12

If your 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 came with a factory 4-Way or 7-Way trailer connector at the rear then yes, there is an OEM harness under the driver's side dash and to the right of the emergency brake pedal. Typically this should be blue but the color…

view full answer...

Adding a 7-Way Trailer Connector to a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching