Adapting Rectangular 8-Pole Trailer Connector to a 6-Way on a 2001 Ford Escape

Question

Question:

Hello: I have a 2001 Ford Escape w/ factory tow package 4WD. Towing a 1978 Starcraft Starmaster 6. 3 issues: 1. What wire or connector is needed to charge battery while towing? Do you have diagrams? I do not have a wiring diagram for the trailer. Does the battery charge off the tail light circuit? 2. The trailer connector is rectangular with rounded corners. Room for 8 wires but it has 2 female, 4 male connectors,and 2 blanks. The vehicle end is a round 6 pole female with 4 wires going into it. Do you sell any of the rectangular one I described? I attached a photo. Cant find any of these for sale. The wires are moulded into the connector. The wires are loosing some insulation, which I can tape, but would prefer to renew the wires and the connector. Thanks for your assistance.

asked by: Carlos R

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

A trailer that has a 12 volt circuit will be in a certain position depending on which type of connector it has. It will not charge off of the running light circuit unless someone set it up that way.

The trailer has a unique connector that is not common or used any more. We do not have an adapter that will fit but not to worry because the solution is easy. All you have to do is replace the connector on the trailer with one that matches the vehicle end.

The strange thing is the picture you included shows 2 trailer end connectors. So basically, what I recommend is to replace both of them with RV style 7-Ways. On the connector for the 2001 Ford Escape you mentioned there are 4 wires coming into the connector. These are likely the basic light functions and a ground.

You will need to cut off the connector. Then use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the wires to determine their functions while someone else sits in the Escape and goes through the left and right blinkers, brake lights and running lights.

Once you have determined which wires are the left turn/brake light, right turn/brake light, and running lights, label the wires. The last one will be the ground.

Then you can install # ETBC7 to add a 7-Way to the Escape. You will need to cut off the 4-Way end of the # ETBC7. Then splice the wires from your Escape to the wires on the # ETBC7: yellow is left turn/brake, green is right turn/brake, and brown is running lights.

The white wire will need to be grounded to the vehicle frame. black is for the 12-volt circuit. Blue and purple you will likely not need since blue is for electric trailer brakes and purple is for reverse lights. I have included some links that will help with the # ETBC7 installation.

On the trailer side you will cut off the old connector and install # H20042. But you cannot just match up the color wires. You will need to go by function. You can trace the wires from the front of the trailer to the back to determine function or you can apply power to each wire from a 12-volt battery and see what turns on.

The trailer side 7-Way has the following wire colors and functions:

White Wire = Ground
Red Wire = Left Turn and Brake
Brown Wire = Right Turn and Brake
Green Wire = Taillights
Blue Wire = Brake Power
Black Wire = 12 volt (hot lead) This is the wire that will connect to the trailer battery and provide a maintenance charge
Yellow Wire = Aux

If your trailer has turn signals that are separate from the brake lights then on the trailer side, rear of the connector you will also need a converter, # 118158. This converter takes the combined turn signal/brake lights and separates them out. So on the output side yellow will be just left turn signal, green will be just right turn signal, and red will be brake lights only.