Installing a 7-Way Trailer Socket on 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup

Question:

Where do the black aux power wire and blue electric brake wire connex on a dodge ram 1500 pickup ? I have already installed a hayes brake controller

asked by: J A

Expert Reply:

If your truck had a factory 7-way installed, then the part you referenced, TowReady # 20135, will receive all required signals from the vehicle connector where it plugs in.

If you are installing a 4-pole to 7-Way adapter like the Hopkins # 37185 in order to use your Hayes trailer brake controller, you will find the extra wires for the 12V trailer feed (the black wire on the Hopkins) and for the trailer brake signal feed (the blue wire on the Hopkins adapter) under the vehicle on the driver's side right behind the front wheel well.

There will be a connector with more wires coming from the front of the vehicle than there are going out to the back. One of these should be a blue wire; this will carry the brake controller signal to your 7-way. You will need to install a length of 10-gauge wire like # 10-1-1 to connect this vehicle wire to the blue wire lead on the Hopkins adapter.

For the trailer's 12V power feed you will need to again run a length of 10-gauge wire from the black wire on the Hopkins adapter up the vehicle frame to the engine compartment where it will connect to the battery positive terminal through a 40-amp breaker like # PK54540.

The linked article will give you further guidance.