How To Convert a 4-Way To a 7-Way To Charge Trailer Battery

Question:

Iam getting a very small camper under 1500 pounds...i was told i need a 7 prong receiver..my car has a 4...i was told i need to get a 7 prong installed and there is no adapter to put onto the 4...i was going to have electric brakes but changed my mind to save the expense$700 to get the 7 prong and electric brakes installed was told i need the 7 prong so my battery can recharge.Its confusing for me...I was told its going to cost as much to get the 7 prong receiver with electric brakes or not electric brakes... ....

asked by: Christine C

Expert Reply:

If the trailer has brakes and or a battery then you will indeed want to install a 7-way trailer connector, that much is correct. In order to do this I have everything that you need and it will not cost you nearly as much as you were quoted. Although there is not a completely plug and play adapter for this, the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller part # ETBC7 is partially plug and play and it comes with everything that you need to convert the 4-way on your vehicle to a 7-way.

In order to install the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller you will simply plug the two 4-ways into one another, ground the white wire to the frame, and then run the black wire up to the vehicle's battery with the included wire/circuit breaker. The black wire is what is used to charge the trailer battery. If the trailer did have brakes you would run the blue wire to a brake controller in the cab but since this will not be used it will just be taped up and tied off. This should take you around 30 minutes tops or if you went to a shop around 10 minutes. If I were you, I would obtain the above kit and then take it to a local mechanic shop to have them install it for you.

expert reply by: Conner L