Replacing 4-Way Connector with 4-Way on Boat Trailer and Connecting to 7-Way on Tow Vehicle

Question:

Hello I ordered yesterday 7 way to a 5 pole adapter and a harness 5 pole flat to a four pole flat. I bought a boat and the the trailer is set up for the reverse lock out but is not hooked up. I feel the wiring adapter should be the opposite way around the trailer is a 4 pole flat seems like when hooking up the new harness its comming from a 5 pole to the trailer us 4 .

asked by: Joey

Expert Reply:

If your tow vehicle is equipped with a 7-Way connector then the Optronics 7 Pole to 5 Pole Flat Adapter # A75TB you purchased is the correct unit to hook the vehicle up to a 5-Way on the trailer. This will plug right into the 7-Way on the vehicle to provide a 5-Way flat at the other end.

The Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Adapter # 20036 that you also purchased is for the vehicle end as well. This is designed to plug into a tow vehicle's 4-Way flat to provide a 5-Way flat at the other end to connect with a trailer's 5-Way. This would not be installed on the trailer.

If your boat trailer is equipped with a 4-Way connector then your best option is to simply replace it with a 5-Way like the Hopkins # HM47910. You will simply cut off the 4-Way and splice the wires into the new connector by function. The remaining wire will then be connected to the reverse lockout solenoid on the actuator.

I have attached an installation video that you can take a look at as well.

expert reply by: Chris R