Best way to install a 7 blade RV plug?

[fields_mj]

I have a 6 pin trailer hook up on my rear bumper. All the trailers that my friends have use the 7 blade RV style. I don't mind mounting a second plug on my hitch, but I'm not sure how to hook it up. My 6 pin is spliced into two different plugs, and I have a trailer brake controller in the cab. I think it's a really cheap one. It was in there when I got the truck. It looks kind of like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Hayes-Brake-8...9?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1276656851&sr=8-19

I'll be borrowing a tandem trailer in a few weeks from a friend to haul some shingles, OSB, and other roofing materials for the house. I need to get the truck set up to use the 7 blade connector that he has on his trailer.

Any suggestions on how I would go about setting the truck up to use a 7 blade plug?


Thanks,
Mark

 

[tonkadoctor]

Only difference between 6 pin and the 7 pin RV plug is the 7 pin has a wire connected to your reverse lights, rest are the same.

Here's a good guide for you. http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

Making the switch to the 7 pin RV style is a good thing, I see nothing made anymore with 6 pin hook up. 6 pin has gone the way of the Dodo bird.

Most 7 pin car end adaptors come with a bracket you can mount under your bumper.

 

[crashnzuk]

Yup, do away with the 6 pin. If you think you'll need 6 pin sometime, get an adapter. You can get damn near any adapter to go from your 7 way RV plug to whatever trailer you pull.
Travis..

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I dis-agree on the obsolescence of the 6-pin plug.

Every new gooseneck I see still has the tried and true 6-pin plug.

The camper/recreational stuff usually has the 7-pin plug; but, working trailers still have the old reliable 6-pin.


On my trucks, I establish a trailer-wiring "brain-box" in an easily accessible location.

This box contains a terminal-strip that has seven studs.

Each stud is labeled; i.e. GROUND, HOT, REVERSE, BRAKE, L-TURN, R-TURN, MARKERS.

It is a simple matter to add or switch around trailer-plugs.

I have permanent plugs mounted next to the goose-neck ball, plus permanent plugs mounted over the rear receiver; 6-pin and 4-blade.

I have a 7-pin ready to install, but have not yet had reason for it.


Do yourself a favor and establish one of these trailer boxes on your truck and you will thank me many times later.

 

[fields_mj]

Thanks for the link on the diagrams. That will be helpfull. I like the box idea. I'll have to see what I have in the scrap bin for dinrail and terminal blocks. I think for now, I will add a 7 blade bracket to the bumper. My 6 pin is installed where a Lic Plate light would go, so I have plenty of room to mount another bracket. I'll try to unhook / cut away some of the electrical tape and see if the current plug is just spliced in, or if it's actually got terminals or conectors and go from there. Once I know that, I can buy the correct 7 blade plug that I will need to match up. Worst case, with the wiring diagram, I'll be able to splice it in, but I really don't want to have to "rig" it.


Thanks,
Mark

 

[oregon-mike]

I picked up a 7 pin factory Ford RV plug from a pick-n-pull (off of an F150). There are 2 harnesses off of the back that plugged directly into existing plugs at the rear of my pickup. My brake controller plugs directly into the factory harness under the dash.

I have adapters for 6 pin, 5 pin & 4 pin. I figured it'd be better to have the newest plug & adapt down than to not be able to tow something in a pinch.

 

[Agnem]

Whatever you do don't use Scotchlocks or suitcase connectors under your truck, especially in the back where they get wet a lot. The 7 plug is really all you need, and then just stick a 6 pin or 4 wire adapter into it.

 

[Diesel_brad]

I dis-agree on the obsolescence of the 6-pin plug.

Every new gooseneck I see still has the tried and true 6-pin plug.

The camper/recreational stuff usually has the 7-pin plug; but, working trailers still have the old reliable 6-pin.

)

I dont know where you are but ANY trailer around here that has electric brakes has the 7 pin RV plug. I haven't seen a 6 pin in close to 5 years. And i work union and am bounced around from contractor to contractor about every 4-6 months
And if the 6 pin was so common, the big 3 would put them on the trucks, not the 7 pin rv

 

[iverger]

Whatever you do don't use Scotchlocks or suitcase connectors under your truck, especially in the back where they get wet a lot. The 7 plug is really all you need, and then just stick a 6 pin or 4 wire adapter into it.

+1

Here is a nice little adapter to keep in the glovebox. One adaptor for the 7-pin that's compact and covers 6, 5 and 4 pins.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-6,-5-&-4-Hoppy_6400235-P_N4062_A|GRP2070____

Bob

 

[fields_mj]

And if the 6 pin was so common, the big 3 would put them on the trucks, not the 7 pin rv

That's the problem, I can't find a 7 blade that will fit my factory wiring.... Near as I can tell, I have a Haynes T that my 6 pin is directly wired into. The connector looks identical to what I can buy for the 87~96 F sieres at the store. I'll probably just cut the wiring off and but splice a new connector in. Wrap it all with some tape and down the road I'll go. If I can get some time later (doubtfull) the J-Box sounds like a good idea. I'll probably never have the time though.

 

[Diesel_brad]

The only "T" connector i have ever seen is the 4 flat one like this
http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.com/image.php?id=249&size=3
Because your truck was not wired from the factory w the brake wire run to the back IIRC. All you do is cut the 4 flat connector off and run a wire from your brake controller to the 7 rv connector. Then you will have your Left , Right blinkers, running light, a ground, and a brake control wire. the other 2 pins on the 7rv are for back-up and constant 12v

 

[fields_mj]

Mine is similar to that, but it has 6 wires. 4 go to the T, the whine is tied to the mounting bolt for my 6 pin plug, and the blue runs over and is spliced into a line which I believe comes from my brake controller.

I was able to get the back cover to slide up just a little bit last night, and the good news is that it looks like my plug has screw terminals on it. Should make it really easy for me to remove, and install a 7 blade unit.

 

[oldmisterbill]

I dont know where you are but ANY trailer around here that has electric brakes has the 7 pin RV plug. I haven't seen a 6 pin in close to 5 years. And i work union and am bounced around from contractor to contractor about every 4-6 months
And if the 6 pin was so common, the big 3 would put them on the trucks, not the 7 pin rv

My factory built PJ trailer from Texas had a 6 Pin connector from the factory in 2001. I bought it brand new.

.

 

[OLDBULL8]

+1

Here is a nice little adapter to keep in the glovebox. One adaptor for the 7-pin that's compact and covers 6, 5 and 4 pins.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...-6,-5-&-4-Hoppy_6400235-P_N4062_A|GRP2070____

Bob

That's a nice adapter, but you still have to have the 7 pin to plug it into. A great adapter for those who borrow/rent trailers.

If the 93 came with the tow pkg., then it has the brake controller pluggin under the dash, also the brake and battery wires (Blue/brake and Orange or Red/battery) to the rear wrapped up in the harness up in the frame, the other end is up in the front by the firewall in the harness to the rear. Use a tee connector for the marker-turn and tail lights.

 

[fields_mj]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the setup that I have. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find the red wire. Sounds like I should be able to back track the blue wire and that should lead me right to the red one. Either way, no big deal. The red one is the only one that I don't know about yet. I see in the drawings where it goes, but I haven't looked for it yet.