Trailer Wiring Format Compatibility Between 2013 Honda Pilot and Pop-Up Camper

Question:

Have a 2013 Honda pilot with factory hitch and 7 wire plug by bumper. Planing to set up pulling a pop up camper which has a 7 wire male plug with only 4 wires used. Can I buy just the one pigtail and 7 post receiver from your part number 118265? Would this serve my needs? Thanks.

asked by: Cliff H

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your pop-up camper has a 7-way style plug like # H20046 installed despite not having electric drum brakes, hence only 4 wires are connected. This is not that unusual since most larger RVs and most tow-worthy vehicles use the 7-way wiring format and using this type of connector on the trailer can simply make it easier to connect to the majority of tow vehicles.

In essence, the 7-way on the trailer is carrying just the lighting signals that would be found in 4-pole wiring, just in that other connector format. You might care to refer to the wiring article I linked since this illustrates all types of common trailer wiring setups.

If your Pilot already has a 7-way wiring installation you do not need anything else. You can still plug in the camper's 7-way plug to the 7-way socket on the vehicle and the basic lighting functions supported on the trailer side will be powered by the circuits on the vehicle socket. If your Pilot does NOT have a 7-way socket like the one in the picture I linked then you DO need to install the complete kit # 118265. We do have just a replacement 7-way vehicle socket that is compatible with this wiring kit; you could use # PK11893.

If I misunderstand the parts you have now please let me know or send along a photo.

expert reply by: Adam R