Solutions for Towing a Trailer with a 4-way with a Tow Vehicle with a 7-Way Connector
Question:
I have a small, very light weight trailer maybe 300 lbs. I use for my kayaks. It currently has a 4 pole connector but we recently purchased a new vehicle to tow it which has a 7 pole receiver. As I look at the 7 pole set-up the, the red/black, blue and purple wires are for auxiliary power, brake control and back-up lights. This trailer does not have any of these and frankly has no need for them. Can I convert the the 4 pole to the 7 pole plug by simply making the correct connections for yellow, green, brown and white wires and then capping off and taping the red/black, blue and purple wires to the trailer frame? If not how can I convert the 4 pole plug to a 7 pole plug? Thanks.
asked by: John J
Expert Reply:
I think I have a better solution for you. I would recommend you get an Adapter 7 Pole to 4 Pole # 47345. You would simply just plug this product into the 7-way on your new tow vehicle and you would have a functioning 4-way. This option is nice too because if at some point you do have a trailer with a 7-way connector on it you would still be able to tow it.
If you do really want to cut off the 7-way and install a 4-way you could still do this. You would just need to wire by function. For a 4-way you could get a # 18004. You will want to use a circuit tester like the # 3808 to determine the functions of the wires and then wire them accordingly to the 4-way.
On the 4-way you would wire it:
Yellow - left turn and brake
Green - right turn and brake
Brown - tail
White - ground
Products Referenced in This Question
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Adapter 7 Pole to 4 Pole with Tester and Cover
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Single-Function Adapter
- 7 Round - Blade
- Plug Only
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
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John J.
2/27/2013
You have this going the wrong way. I currently have a 4-way plug on the trailer and a 7-way socket on the truck that will be pulling it. The other reason I was inclined to cut off the 4-way plug and put on a 7-way plug is that the 7-way plug is much sturdier than the 4-way plug, the prongs of which I find tend to get beaten up pretty easily. Your thoughts?