7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

[pfunk42]

I've got a trailer with surge brakes and a 5 pin connector. My car has a 4 pin connector, so short term I was using either a small metal piece to keep the brakes released and/or re-plugging the 5 pin connector to the 4 pin with the 5th pin connected and headlights on to keep brakes released, but I'm looking for a longer term solution.

I had asked the car dealer about changing the 4 pin to a 5 pin and they had never heard of a 5 pin, only 4 pin (flat) and 7 pin (round).

I know there are 4->5 pin adapters that you can splice into your reverse lights. I'm fine with wires but wouldn't necessarily know where to start trying to find the appropriate wire on the car, so unless there's a good way to find and identify that I'd probably look for another solution.

I think I can either
- Find a hitch/other place to change the 4 pin to 5 pin for me
- Have dealer switch 4 pin to 7 pin, and get a 7->5 adapter.

Does anyone do the latter and use an adapter such as this?

http://www.tooltopia.com/innovative-of-america-8000.aspx

I'm thinking that might be the most flexible solution since I'll already be at 7 pin if I get a new trailer some day that uses it, as well as having the option of using a 5 pin, 4 pin, etc.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

Both of my trucks have a 7 pin plug on them, and I just use whatever adapter I need for the trailer I am towing. It works out very well.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

I use a 7-pin to 5-pin adapter between my Dodge and my Tidewater trailer.

My Dodge came equipped with 4-pin and 7-pin connectors (of course!). The 5-pin trailer harness seems to be the latest thing. I think if I were going to rewire anyway, I'd wire for a 7-pin and buy the adapter. That sets you up for everything out there- 4, 5 and 7-pin.

Until, of course, some new connection becomes the standard.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

Go to 7 pin and adapt down. Easier that way...

 

[dingbat]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

For the life of me I can?t figure out why boat trailers use 4 and 5 pin connectors when just about every OEM tow package includes with a 7 pin connector.

Have them install a 7 pin then cut the 5 pin off the trailer and install a 7 pin connector. There is no adaptor required and you can tow the trailer with most, if not all vehicles, with an OEM tow package.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

I would do the 7 pin and the adapter. I guess you could re-wire the trailer for a 7 pin too but include your time in to doing that and the adapter is a cheaper and easier alternative. Besides, it's handy having the adapter in your vehicle if you ever decide to rent a U-Haul trailer or need to pull a small utility/motorcycle/snowmobile trailer.

 

[timdan94]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

If you don't want to go the 7 pin connector route you can get a 4 flat to 5 flat pin adapter.


http://www.etrailer.com/p-20036/Adapter-4-Pole-to-5-Pole-Trailer-Wiring-Adapter.html

 

[cribber]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

And to go with Timdan's post http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

This is a very comprehensive layout of trailer wiring that will help you through any issues.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

For the life of me I can?t figure out why boat trailers use 4 and 5 pin connectors when just about every OEM tow package includes with a 7 pin connector.

Have them install a 7 pin then cut the 5 pin off the trailer and install a 7 pin connector. There is no adaptor required and you can tow the trailer with most, if not all vehicles, with an OEM tow package.

That's the route I would go too.... Like he said, most tow packages are 7 pin these days... If you do it yourself, you get a handy dandy diagram of the plug and which colored wire goes where..

 

[mike343]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

The seven pin truckside connector includes provisions for travel trailers. One pin is a 30 or 40 amp fused 12v line direct from the battery/alternator. I forget what the other one is for.

 

[iBrent]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

My truck has the 7-pole and I adapt down to the 5-pole with this:

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-A~37385.htm

That way I have a 4-pole connector if I need it with the same adapter. It stays with the truck.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

The seven pin truckside connector includes provisions for travel trailers. One pin is a 30 or 40 amp fused 12v line direct from the battery/alternator. I forget what the other one is for.

Electric brakes.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

My truck has the 7-pole and I adapt down to the 5-pole with this:

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-A~37385.htm

That way I have a 4-pole connector if I need it with the same adapter. It stays with the truck.

Yeah, it's nice...but.... all you really need is the 5-pin adapter, a 4-pin trailer harness will plug into a 5-pin adapter just fine.

The same goes for plugging a 5-pin trailer harness into a 4-pin adapter...it will work all the lights, you just won't have the automatic reverse brake lockout.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

I still like the idea of putting the 7 pin on your vehicle, not touching the trailer and buying the $17 adapter that does 6 pin, 5 pin and 4 pin. How can you go wrong??

 

[dingbat]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

I still like the idea of putting the 7 pin on your vehicle, not touching the trailer and buying the $17 adapter that does 6 pin, 5 pin and 4 pin. How can you go wrong??

When some steals the adaptor off your truck while your out boating.
:redface:

 

[SuperNova]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

When some steals the adaptor off your truck while your out boating.
:redface:

Good point....but I don't like to let things like that govern every decision I make. I like to believe people are generally better than that. I'm trying to overcome the cynic in me.

 

[dingbat]

Re: 7 pin to 5 pin adapter?

I know three guys that have had various things items stolen off their trailers (spare tire, light adaptor, electric winch) while parked at the various local ramps.

Ask about the subject on one of the local fishing boards and you'll hear about all kinds of wonderful things that have happened to their equipment while parked at public facilities.

The fewer things on a trailer that can walk the fewer things that will walk. It's that simple.