Recommended 4-Way to 7-Way Adapter without Need to Power Electric Brakes

Question:

My small trailer has a 7-wire set-up for electric brakes. My wifes Subaru has a standard four-pin flat wiring harness. I am looking for an adapter so I can tow the trailer with my wifes Subaru and have turn, running, and brake lights. I am fully aware I will not have the use of the electric brakes with this set-up. Do you have an adapter piece? Thanks. one of your regular customers.

asked by: Paul D

Expert Reply:

In order to connect the 7-Way on your trailer to your wife's Subaru Crosstrek that has a 4-flat connector, you will just need the Hopkins Adapter # 37185. This will plug right into the existing 4-Way on the vehicle and provide a 7-Way (and a 4-Way) on the other end that will be compatible with the trailer. If you are only needing it to power the trailer's basic signal lights, then the additional black, blue, and purple wires coming from the adapter can simply be tied off as they won't be needed. The white wire will just get attached to a clean bare metal surface for ground.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this adapter that you can also check out.

If you ever decide to equip the Crosstrek so that it can power the brakes on your trailer, you will just need to add the Wiring Kit # 5506, which includes the power and ground wiring for a brake controller, along with the needed circuit breakers. You will then run a length of 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot) from the brake output circuit of the controller to the blue wire on the above mentioned adapter.

Then for a brake controller I highly recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885. This is a really nice, proportional controller that will activate the trailer brakes at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply them in the Crosstrek. It features an easy to read digital display, 3 boost settings, and continuous diagnostics that will alert you to any potential issues.