Wiring a French Built Mecano Galva Utility Trailer to a 2007 Ford Freestyle

Question:

I just came back from France after three years, and brought back a Mecano Galva small utility trailer. I am trying to rewire it to work with my 2007 Ford Freestyle,and bought a t-connect system only 4 wires but am having sigficant problems getting the signal lights, tail lights, back up lights and brake lights all to connect and work properly. The old trailer plug was a 7 pole on the trailer and I can see how it is wired: essentially it is: LH signal lights, RH signal lights, LH Tail-lights, RH Tail Lights, Brake lights and Back-up-lights and ground.

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

European trailer wiring is very different from North American, specifically U.S. trailer wiring. In Europe a 7-Way connector is used to achieve the same functions U.S. trailers use in a 4-Way system.

Our brake and turn signal functions are combined. A U.S. 4-Way is set up as follows: Brown - tail lights, yellow - left turn and brake, green - right turn and brake, and white is ground.

Reverse lights are not typically used on small utility trailers in the U.S. In many states they are not required on such trailers.

You will not be able to find a trailer harness for your 2007 Ford Freestyle that will directly connect to the Mecano Galva. You will need to re-wire the trailer according to U.S. practices to get it to work with the harnesses available for U.S. vehicles. I have added a link to a wiring FAQ page that outlines how trailers are wired in the states. You should be able to re-use the lights on the trailer, but you will have to condense the wiring.

expert reply by: Mike L