Trailer electrical plug

[jagyoung]

Having just bought boat and trailer, I've had to get someone else to move the trailer. The trailer's electrical connector has 5 pins but the hitch assembly already on the SUV is 4 hole. Is there an adapter or do I need to get the hitch rewired??

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Trailer electrical plug

If it is a 5 pin round, there is a adapter to the flat 4. cost you ten bucks at napa.

 

[drrm123]

Re: Trailer electrical plug

Wal Mart should have a adapter, I got one for i believe 8 pin the round one that has a 4 and 5 pin adapter. I recall seeing about 4 different types they carried

 

[htv]

Re: Trailer electrical plug

I'm pretty sure you won't find a 5 flat to 4 flat pin adapter. The 5th pin is energized by your back-up light in order to energize a solenoid on your surge brake on the trailer so you can back up. Till you are able to change your vehicle to a 5 pin which is no big chore you can take your trailer plug turn it 90 degrees and plug the trailer blue wire(brake solenoid) terminal and plug into the brown terminal(running lights) and turn your lights on to energize the brake solenoid so you can back up. You would only do this at the ramp and not tow in this application.

 

[mike343]

Re: Trailer electrical plug

If the trailer side has a five pin connector, it has disc brakes and won't back up without a back-up connection from the truck--a signal to the actuator solenoid to prevent application of the trailer brakes. If the truck is less than 10 years old it should have a 7 pin round connector that you can get an adapter to the five pin flat to fix the problem. Otherwise, you need a connection to the back-up lights to the blue wire on the trailer side.

 

[htv]

Re: Trailer electrical plug

If the trailer side has a five pin connector, it has disc brakes and won't back up without a back-up connection from the truck--a signal to the actuator solenoid to prevent application of the trailer brakes. If the truck is less than 10 years old it should have a 7 pin round connector that you can get an adapter to the five pin flat to fix the problem. Otherwise, you need a connection to the back-up lights to the blue wire on the trailer side.

Even newer trucks without a trailer towing package won't have a 7 pin plug and may come with a four flat as standard.