Can a 7-Way Connector be Added to a 2006 Expedition with a 4-Way For Electric Trailer Brakes Only

Question:

If I use a 4 pin to 7 pin conversion plug and connect the blue wire will everything work except the backup lights and trailer battery charger? It seems if this is the case there is no need to run extra wires and install fuses etc.. to be able to tow the trailer with functioning brakes...Right? I just want to make sure the battery charger wire does not need to be connected for the brakes to work Thanks

asked by: JP

Expert Reply:

Your thoughts are correct. The 12 volt power wire, or battery charge wire, is not necessary for the trailer brakes to work. If you use a 4-pin to 7-pin adapter, like part # 37185, you can connect the 4-pin plug from the adapter to your existing 4-pin trailer connector, ground the white wire, run the blue wire to your trailer brake controller, and tie off the reverse light wire and 12 volt power wire. This will allow you to tow a trailer with functioning electric brakes and lights. If your trailer does not have reverse lights or a battery or other 12 volt powered piece of equipment, you do not need to run the additional wires and fuse. The reverse light and 12 volt power pins simply would not work in the 7-pin trailer connector.

If you are in the market for a brake controller as well, I recommend checking out the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller, # 90195. This is one of the top brake controllers on the market and I have attached a video review for you to check out. If you would like additional wire to run from the trailer connector to the brake controller, I recommend using an appropriate length of part # 10-1-1.

expert reply by: John H