Will Lighting Functions of 7-Way Trailer Wiring Function without Brake Controller Installed

Question:

I bought a car that was shipped short the trailer hitch and wiring. The dealer has recently installed the missing parts. Currently there is no brake controller installed. My question, should a 7 way plug provide all lighting outputs without a brake controller, or is the controller needed to make the plug functional? Trying to validate the installation is complete by plugging an rv into 7 way, no lights... lighting works on 4 way, but not 7.

asked by: Eric W

Expert Reply:

A 7-way trailer wiring connector does not need a brake controller installed for the lights of the trailer to function as well. So if you hired the dealer to install a 7-way and no lights on the trailer are working they didn't wire it up properly.

We have 4-way to 7-way adapters like the # 37185 that plug into the vehicle's active 4-way and the lighting functions on the # 37185 7-way are immediately active as well as the 4-way that is on the connector as well. Worse case scenario you could just plug the # 37185 into your current 4-way and you'd be set.

expert reply by: Jameson C