Plug and Play 7way Trailer Wiring Stock?

[Bartowski]

Hello!

Upgrading my 2003 Edge so that I can tow my new Airstream! I have the towing package already, but was curious if my truck should have the plug / wiring already set for 7way plugs? It has a flat 4 that I had to install (had the receiver, tranny cooler, etc. Already installed), but I need to know if I just need to buy adapters to hook up with the 7way plug (in the rear) and the brake controller (under the dash). I have read that both should be there, but all I find underneath the back is the connection show in the photo. Can I plug into this? It appears to go right to the brake lights......any help is a appreciated!!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

AFAIK No ranger based vehicle came with stock wiring to permit a 7-pin plug. I've installed a few tho. You have to run a blue brake and a red 12v +ve from the front to the back. If you want reverse lights a relay might be best, depending on draw. Some 7-pin kits come with a plug for the 4-pin flat.

 

[Captain Ledd]

https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM48470.html

This is the plug I put on my GMC. Very happy with it, good to go with the flat 4, flat 5 or 7 blade RV. I had a similar 4 way plug like yours before, I just cut the end off (enough that I could solder it back together if need be), and fed the wires into the housing along with all the other extra ones for the 7 blade.

 

[Bartowski]

Thanks for that, I had the same feeling as well. If I can ask, where did you run the 12V power to? I'm not going to worry about the reverse lights, trailer doesn't have any. Purchasing a controller, but it sounds like there is a hook up under the dash for that (still haven't explored, working on trailer first).

Thanks!

AFAIK No ranger based vehicle came with stock wiring to permit a 7-pin plug. I've installed a few tho. You have to run a blue brake and a red 12v +ve from the front to the back. If you want reverse lights a relay might be best, depending on draw. Some 7-pin kits come with a plug for the 4-pin flat.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

12V +ve from battery with in line fuse or better use a breaker. I think size depends on wire size and load.

 

[adsm08]

Some Explorers got a factory 7-pin. No Ranger.

Just get a flat-4 install kit and a 7-pin kit that plugs into the 4-pin. It will get your lights on line at least, then you only need to do breaks and 12V aux.

 

[Bartowski]

Thanks - Any recommendations as to WHERE to wire the 12V Aux to? Anything in the back I can hook it up to, or wire to the front? I'm also installing a brake controller, that should plug right in from what I have heard (with adapter).

Some Explorers got a factory 7-pin. No Ranger.

Just get a flat-4 install kit and a 7-pin kit that plugs into the 4-pin. It will get your lights on line at least, then you only need to do breaks and 12V aux.

 

[Bartowski]

Ok, figured out WHERE to wire everything, now what gauge of duplex wire to you guys use?

 

[Captain Ledd]

Duplex wire? I'd just get a roll of stranded 12ga (or 10ga if you really want the beef) THHN wire. They should sell it at any home improvement store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. in several different lengths. And just run whatever you need to wherever.

I redid my entire trailer with part of a 500ft roll of 12ga my dad bought by mistake and it was too late to return by the time we realized it. I ordered a pack of colored electrical tape for all the different wire colors.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can get various combos of wire at a parts store.

It is nice to get it all in one thing so you can just branch off of it without running a bunch of separate wires.

 

[don4331]

Bartowski:

The recommended wire gauge for 7 way plug per SAE J559 ('74 edition*) are:
Right turn - 12/65 strand (Green)
Left turn - 12/65 strand (Yellow)
Ground - 10/105 strand (White)
Tail/Marker - 12/65 strand (Brown)
Brake - 12/65 strand (Blue)
Battery - 12/65 strand (Red)
Backup - 12/65 strand (Purple)

For the 4 and 5 flat plugs, the SAE J895 requires 16 gauge (no strand requirement so could be solid); so that is what our Rangers will have.

*'74 SAE Handbooks were on sale for $10 at a book fare and I couldn't refuse that. I believe SAE J1128 has reduced the strand count to 19 for all gauges with individual strand size being the variable.

 

[2002edgeplussupercab]

I have a nice Tekonsha brake controller and RV plug on mine. No problem. My 18' Cherokee Lite camper has tandem axles with brakes on both axles.