trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
61
I am upgrading from a non brake to a disc brake trailer. I currently have a 4-pin flat connector. The new trailer will have a 5-pin flat connector to include one wire for the back-up solenoid. I know that I am supposed to tap into the back-up light on my Pathfinder truck and hook that into the additional wire on the trailer.<br />My question is, specifically how do I do this? I unscrewed the tail light on my truck and saw a bunch of wires but I don't know how to do this properly without damaging somehting on my vehicle. Please help if you have specific information about how I should go about doing this. Thanks.
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 26, 2003
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829
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Many stores sell adapters. You might also try etrailer.com.
 

Boomyal

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Aug 16, 2003
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Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Originally posted by Ed:<br /> Many stores sell adapters. You might also try etrailer.com.
Factory U-haul outlet stores carry adaptors as well.
 
Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
61
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Thanks for the advise but an adapter won't help me in this situation. I need to actually tap into the back-up light wire in order to engage the solenoid on the disc brake system which will disengage the brakes while I am going in reverse. Since this wire is not currently integrated into my 4-pin connector, I have to find it.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Thanks for the advise but an adapter won't help me in this situation.
Yes it Will..........<br />The Adapter they're talking about taps into the truck harness, Up-stream from the 4 pin connector you have Now.......
 

SouthernAppal

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Dec 1, 2008
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Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

You might also look at the archives of http://www.clubfrontier.org. The forum works much like this one, but most of the members are 20-somethings. They know a lot. You don't have to register to look, but you must register to ask.
 

DDog11

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Jan 26, 2009
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Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Use extreme caution splicing in the wire. Personaly I would have a professional do this this prevent possible problems. Not to mention voiding warranties.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

If your vehicle has an on board message system that tells you that you have a light out DO NOT splice into anything. Those systems are very sensitive and a back up solenoid will fry your entire system.

Follow Bond-o's advice. Get the "upstream" adapter. I have to agree that U Haul is a great place to ask.
 

Mark_VTfisherman

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Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
1,489
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

Thanks for the advise but an adapter won't help me in this situation. I need to actually tap into the back-up light wire...

Use the adapter- it will do everything your current 4-way-flat does but without breaking into the wire covers, and will include the extra wire and the vehicle-side connector which you need. Easy plug-and-play.

Are your brakes electric or hydraulic? If they are electric you will need more than a five-way connector...
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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30,587
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

WOW...5 year old post gets brought back from the dead!
 

Mark_VTfisherman

Lieutenant
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Nov 29, 2008
Messages
1,489
Re: trailer wiring trouble - need advice

WOW...5 year old post....

Holy Smokes! 2004??! Glad this wasn't something I put a lot of thought or time into.

You guys who have been on here a while always notice that :redface: and I guess I would have to say I need to start looking at post dates as well- my third time begin "bit" by an old post. Although there was one resurrected fishing thread I enjoyed :).................
 
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