Skip, Trailer 7 way wiring

["Joel M Brodsky" <jmbrodsky@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Also, if you ever get the 7-wire to 6-wire adapter (My flatbed has both 6
and 4 wire), be sure that you move the wires in the adapter so that the
brakes on the 6-wire aren't wired to the center pin on the 7-wire.
Basically, the center pin (as Jim mentions) should be Acc. power, NOT
brakes.  When I bought the adapter the brakes on my 6-wire trailer were
fully applied.  The adapter has screwlugs internally so that you can move
the ACC. Power and Brake leads so that this doesn't happen.  Funny, those
are the only screw terminals in the adapter, apparently this is a common
mistake.

FYI:

JoelB

Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2003 16:28:15 -0700
From: J Grammer <jim@domain.elided>
Subject: Skip's trailer plugging away

At 06:15 PM 8/4/03 +0000, you wrote:
>Also, what is the best way to wire the 7-way plug receptacle I just bought
>for trailer lights?  Is it OK to just splice into the wires (blinkers,
>brakes, etc) and run off them?  Will the load be too much when I plug in a
>trailer?  Or, is there a better way, with relays or something like that?

Yes, relays are a much better way.

Nobody does it tho'. Not even those of us who talk about it ;)

Just do a workmanlike job of the wiring and follow the convention for
wiring the plug please. I have to re-do the plug on a friend's horse
trailer every time we borrow it 'cause some 'professional' hitch installer
decided that the center terminal on a 6-way was for the trailer
brakes(should be trailer acc. power). Guess I better re-wire her truck one
of these decades....

Avoid the scab-on connectors like the plague!

Kudos for running 7-way, they're a more durable long term design than
6-way.

Jim