Table of Contents Show
You’ve had your trailer for a while, and you’re having trouble with the wiring. It’s time to replace the trailer plug, but you have no idea where to start.
It’s not really a simple task to conquer. Having the right knowledge on your side will likely help you have the upper hand when you start working on replacing your 7-pin trailer plug.
Of course, you could have professionals do the job for you, but what fun is that?
Take a minute, instead, to teach yourself something new.
Answer some of those burning questions about the process by reading on.
What Is a 7-Pin Trailer Plug?
A 7-pin trailer plug connects power to a trailer when towed. You need your trailer to signal when you’re braking, turning, or backing up, and the connections made through a 7-pin trailer plug make that possible.
The plug basically has seven different pins that represent the seven different connections it facilitates.
Heavy-duty cargo trailers, aluminum trailers, dump trailers, and several other types of trailers rely on 7-pin plugs for safety while in tow.
Are All 7-Pin Trailer Plugs the Same?
The answer is absolutely not. You can’t just grab the first replacement kit you find on the shelf and think everything will work out just swimmingly.
For some reason, the industry has taken something that should be very simple and complicated the heck out of it.
There are two very important and notable differences you should understand.
You need to know the difference between RV and SAE wiring, and you also need to notate the difference between a blade connector and a round connector.
You have RV 7-pin wiring and SAE 7-pin wiring. The two setups have different colored wires, and connecting the colored wires incorrectly will lead to electrical issues.
Then you have either round or blade pins on your connector. There are deviations in the function of each connection port depending on the type of connector you’re replacing.
Blade pin connectors are more commonly used for fifth wheels, travel trailers, and campers, while round pin connectors are typically found on agricultural and commercial trailers.
Keep in Mind: Do you know the weight of your camper? If not, you should. Let’s check out the Average Weight of a Camper.
What Wires Go On a 7-Way Trailer Plug?
For familiarity’s sake, it’s best that we describe the wiring setup for the RV style 7-pin trailer plug.
You’ll see seven connection ports when you open up your placement connector.
Your job is to figure out which wires are supposed to connect to which points to make everything work correctly.
You can’t do that without understanding the color map for the RV-style wiring.
Here is a quick breakdown. The yellow wire powers the backup or auxiliary lights, and the red wire powers the left turn signal.
Green powers the tail lights, the black wire is the battery connector, and the brown wire powers the right turn signal.
The blue wire is for the brake lights, and the white wire is the ground wire.
How Do You Rewire a 7-Pin Trailer?
- ✔ BougeRV trailer plug is made from flameproof ABS junction box, good conductivity copper and solid...
- ✔ There are several recognized wiring color code conventions on the 7-way trailer connector. Connected by function,...
The process of actually taking off the old plugin and replacing it with a new one is pretty simple once you know you have the right materials for the job.
Just make sure you know which type of plug and wiring color code you’re working with before you start cutting any old connections away.
Once you have all the right materials for the job, cut off the old connector and trim back the protective layer to expose the individual colored wires.
Then connect the right colors to the correct function on the plug ports, reassemble the plug casing, and finish.
Of course, this explanation makes it seem a whole lot simpler than you might find the process.
Most things are easier said than done. Just make sure you do your research to find out what kind of setup and connection your trailer is already sporting before assuming wire placement.
Keep in Mind: New to RV Wiring? This RV Wiring and Electrical guide for newbies will teach you everything you need to know!
Do I Need a Trailer Brake Controller With a 7-Pin Connector?
Even though the 7-pin trailer plugin controls the brake lights, it doesn’t engage the trailer’s brakes. You still need a brake controller.
However, your vehicle may already have a brake controller built into its electrical system.
If so, you just plug your trailer into the port, and you’re on your way.
- EASY GRIP. Plugging in your trailer wiring and trailer lights is easy with the ergonomic design of this trailer plug. It...
- WEATHER-RESISTANT. This trailer wiring plug comes with concealed wire terminals. This helps protect the splice-in...
Does a 7-Pin Trailer Plug Have Reverse Light?
Yes. The seventh pin on a 7-pin trailer plug is purposed to power a reverse light.
If you’re adding an aftermarket reverse light onto your trailer, just run the power wire to the middle port on your plug harness, and you’re good to go.
If you’re working with a different kind of trailer plug, then wiring in a reverse light is much more complicated.
Should I Have a 7-Pin Trailer Plug?
Looking at all the information, it seems advantageous to have a 7-pin trailer plug.
Your trailer signaling and lighting will have more functionality with the versatility offered by a 7-pin trailer plug.
There’s even a way to convert a 4-pin setup into a 7-pin configuration. What do you think is best?
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
