2004 silverado trailer plug issue

[hrdwrkingacguy]

I installed a tow package myself...My 2004 silverado has a factory plug that I pulled the cover off of and installed This My new boat has brakes that use the reverse light to disengage...None of the pins on This has power when the truck is in reverse...I've google'd and traced wires...My next option is to run a wire from the reverse lights to the adapter but there has to be a wire under the truck so I can avoid all that...

anyone have any insight?

 

[mike343]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

A 2004 Chev truck that has a factory seven pin towing plug is Ok w/o changes. What you need is a seven to five pin adapter, available at any boat or trailer stors. The trailer, with disc brakes and a solenoid lock out should be 5 pin--the blue wire is for the solenoid.

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

I bought the adapter...It didn't work with the part I linked in the last post...The part of the flat 5 that should have 12vdc when its in reverse has nothing...I think the thing hanging off that back of my truck where I plugged in my old trailer is a round 7 pin connector and that is plugged into a factory molex plug under my truck by the spare tire...I think somewhere upstream of the part I linked I have a bad wire or the wrong part...It got dark on me today...but I need to get it fixed by Saturday...Taking it to uhaul is admitting defeat...I can't do that...

 

[timdan94]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

here is what I used to use before I got my new truck...
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/47515.html

You just use the included tap to tap into the reverse light wire in the light on the back of the truck.

 

[dingbat]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

Yep, you have something wrong. You use the center pin in the 7 pin connector to power the solenoid. Might want to check to make sure that the fuse is install the fuse box. If I remember correctly, that line is powered separately.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

I could never figure out why they use those stupid 5 pin connectors to begin with. Every factory tow package comes with a 7 pin connector. I got tired of playing the adapter game and swapped out the 5 pin on the trailer for a 7 pin. Now I can use the trailer with any factory tow package on the road.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

Not all 5 pin adapters are wired the same. Make sure you get one that definitely puts reverse on the 5th pin.

Like Dingbat, I have a 7 pin connector on my trailer.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

Have you towed with this truck before? Reason I ask is my 04 titan did not come with a factory tow package. All the wiring was there so I just installed a hitch and was ready to go. WRONG. The factory tow package comes with the relays necessary to get power to the trailer, so look under the hood and make sure you have all the relays. Also the link you had was for a 4 pin. Is your plug in a 4 or 5?

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

I could never figure out why they use those stupid 5 pin connectors to begin with. Every factory tow package comes with a 7 pin connector. I got tired of playing the adapter game and swapped out the 5 pin on the trailer for a 7 pin. Now I can use the trailer with any factory tow package on the road.

This is why I want to figure out all the wiring i'm going to change it to a round 7 and use some 5 conductor SJ cord that's insulated so sun and dragging it on the ground wont hurt it...

The truck didn't come factory with the tow package installed...But it has the Tow/haul switch and a capped off connector to hook up the adapter by the spare tire under the bed...A few years ago I did a side job that was pretty decent money but it was 150miles north of where I lived so I installed a tow package myself in the garage...I bought the kit and the plug was a round 7 and a flat four in one from uhaul...I towed a trailer and my old boat for a few years...We bought a new boat this week and it has a flat 5, so I bought an adapter from round 7 to flat 5 and the reverse pin(the bottom one) doesn't have anything...The truck has separate fuses for the trailer lights installed...I didn't see any that were blown...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

Did you measure at the 7 pin connector on the truck to see what pin has 12V on it when you put in reverse? Then you need to use a meter to see if there is a connection between that pin on the 7 pin side of the adapter and the 5th pin on the 5 pin side.

As far as a new 7 pin connector on the boat side, I would just buy the connector already with the molded in 7 pin wire. You can buy these "pigtails" already made up.
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/H20046.html

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

...The truck has separate fuses for the trailer lights installed...I didn't see any that were blown...

It's actually the relays (not fuses) that I was talking about. Just to make sure they are all there. Sometimes they don't even install them if you don't get the tow package. If you unplug the pigtail under the truck do you have anything there? Anyhow here is some diagrams that may help

http://www.hitchinfo.com/?event=viewpage&contentpieceid=4934

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

The 7 to 5 pin adapters typically pick up the brake controller position and not the center pin reverse position required for the reversing solenoid. The 5 pin adapters are made for brake controllers, not reverse lockout. The easiest fix after you've identified at your 7 pin receptacle that all pins have voltage is to get a male 7 pin plug and extend your trailer wires to plug directly into the factory receptacle utilizing the standard wiring diagram. Then, no matter what you tow your boat with, it will always be in a standard configuration. If you utilize the blue wire terminal for the brake controller for your reverse solenoid all that will happen is every time you step on the brakes, the solenoid will BYPASS the trailer brakes. Reverse solenoids MUST be wired to the backup lights which are the CENTER pin on a 7 pole plug, not the lower right pin.

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

I guess when I installed the part I linked in the first post the center pin bent and didn't go where it should have, so it made no connection...I fixed it and now everything works...I think I am going to get some 5 conductor 14 gauge SJ cord from home depot and a new round 7 and eliminate a $30.00 adapter I just got from Complete marine...I hope they will return it...

 

[mike343]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

"he truck didn't come factory with the tow package installed...But it has the Tow/haul switch and a capped off "

So you won't have the factory seven pin co0nnector and wil need to get to the back-up lioghts for the solenoid disable.

Also, without the towing package--usually 3.73 diff, extra cooling--you may not be able to tow as much as you think.

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: 2004 silverado trailer plug issue

So this weekend I was able to fix an issue with my truck's factory connector, and replace the cheap 14ga stranded wire with insulated SJ cord and a new 7 round connector...everything works, including the backup solenoid...Hauled the boat to saguaro lake three times this week and had no problems, other then the boat needs 56 gallons of gas at $3.50 a gallon...