Trailer Electrical Hookup

[JimKW]

Just bought a 4Runner which has the round plug for a camper. I bought a 7 to 4 converter so I could plug in my 4 prong flat plug from the boat trailer. I am not getting any light to come on on the trailer.

I talked to the previous owner of the 4Runner and she said she never had any problem and used it as recently as June to tow the camper. The only thing she suggested was making sure the plug was pushed in all the way. Pretty sure it was. I know the lights worked fine when towing with the Envoy, but will probably hook up to the Envoy again just to make sure.

Any chance there might be a fuse somewhere? The 4Runner does have the electonic brakess and I can see a light comiing on in that unit under the dash.

 

[whiting-5]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

first thing is it a factory toyota plug? or did someone wire it after the truck was purchased? possiable it may not be wired to code unlikely but double check.go online and search trailer wiring diagrams if its an rv type plug there called 7 flat.get your test light and check your plug on truck making sure all the flat blades are working where there supposed to be according to chart.then plug in your adapter and make sure the correct plugs are working like there supposed to be. have seen adapters that were not right. hope this helps

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

There will be a fuse on your truck, in the fuse box, labled Trailer Lights etc etc if it was factory installed with the tow plug.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

Turned lights and 4 way flashers on and tested all seven blades on the 7 prong and none had juice. Looked at the fuse and it looked fine. It's hot as heck outside and now it's getting ready to storm. Might be more comfortable in the garage after it storm.

After writing the above I looked up a wiring diagram and then hooked up to the ground and to the one for lights and the test light came on. Grounding to the frame must not have been good enough. The adapter I bought does not work too good though. If I really push it in and hold it I get juice to the four prong end. Probably try some electrical cleaner and see if that helps. If not, I will take it back and see if I can get a better one.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

The 4Runner does have the electonic brakess and I can see a light comiing on in that unit under the dash.[/QUOTE]
If the light on the brake control is coming on when you plug in a 7 to 4 pin adapter something is wired wrong. None of the 4 pins you need for the trailer lights have anything to do with electric brakes. On most brake controllers, the light comes on to tell you that the brake magnets on the trailer are good. If it's coming on for you now something is being connected to it that shouldn't be.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

I got it working. Just cleaned the contacts in the socket on the car and pushed the prongs on the converter out a little to make better contact. I'll keep an eye on when the light on the brake control under the dash comes on. I'll hook her up tomorrow morning and see if I have lights. Pretty sure I will.

 

[whiting-5]

Re: Trailer Electrical Hookup

was going to say you can take a small awl thats angled and spread the prongs out a little on you truck end plug.they get mashed together after awhile.and lose contact