How to Hook Up a 7-Way Trailer Connector When Towing a Trailer Without Brakes

Question:

Hi there! I hope to upgrade my 2003 Acura MDX a bit so I can pull trailers with lights, etc. The SUV already has the 4 pole hooked up, but I need to hook up the 7 pole adapter so that some of my familys trailers can hook up and work correctly. I found the ETBC7, but the only instructions I find are are for one with a brake controller. However, this trailer does not have brakes on it. Would it still be wired up in the same manner? What would I do with the brake line? Just curious! Thanks for the great website, your forums and QandA are extremely helpful!

asked by: Bret

Expert Reply:

In order to install a 7-way trailer connector on your 2003 Acura MDX, I recommend using the Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole part # 37185 which has both 4 and 7-way trailer connection points, not the Universal Brake Controller Install Kit part # ETBC7. The reason being that part # ETBC7 comes with a bunch of unneeded wires and circuit breakers which are specific for trailers with brakes.

The only thing you need to do to install the 4 to 7-way adapter on your MDX is plug the 4-way's in together and ground the 7-way with the white wire. The blue, black, and purple wires do not need to be connected if your trailer doesn't have brakes and you can just tape them up and tie them off under the vehicle.

expert reply by: Conner L