Trailer Wiring Diagrams

April 19, 2006 16:19:13

Wire Installation Tips

By law, trailer lighting must be connected into the tow vehicle’s wiring system to provide trailer running lights, turn signals and brake lights. This is accomplished by tapping into the tow vehicle’s harness power to the trailer wiring system. Connectors are used between the two to allow disengagement when not towing.

Various styles of connectors are available with four to seven pins to allow transfer of power for the lighting as well as auxiliary functions such as electric trailer brake control, backup lights, etc. Choose a connector that has the required number of pins for the functions required. The male end (plug) is mounted on the trailer side and the female end (socket) on the vehicle side.

6 Way Connectors

Round 1 1/4″ diameter metal conductors are available that
allow 1 or 2 additional functions such as back up lights and electric brakes.

7 Way Connectors

Additional pins for auxiliary power, trailer battery charging, etc. are
available using larger 2″ diameter, round connectors.

7 Way Trailer Plug, Flat Pins

7 Way Trailer Plug

7 Way Trailer Socket, Flat Pins

7 Way Trailer Socket

6 Way Trailer Plug, Round Pins. Sometimes called “Ranch Standard”

6 Way Trailer Plug

6 Way Trailer Socket, Round Pins

6 Way Trailer Socket

7 Responses to “Trailer Wiring Diagrams”

Omer Douthitt wrote a comment on August 13, 2006

I found this information very useful and I give an atta-boy x10 to the person making this entry.

mark dunbar wrote a comment on September 13, 2006

do you have a diagram for the AG plug with 7 round pins ?

BobWms wrote a comment on September 13, 2006

I’m researching this. Frankly, I don’t think there is such a thing as 7 pin round small plug. The only seven connector socket I’ve seen is the larger (2″ diameter) flat pin connector normally used in rv’s, semi and over the road trailers that have anti-skid brakes.

I operate a electrically operated hydraulic dump trailer that uses a #6 gauge welding lead to feed 12 volt, 150 amp to the trailer’s motor. I had to use a separate lead for that, due to it’s size.

BobWms wrote a comment on September 13, 2006

Every time I say “Ain’t no such thing” I get educated. Here’s this:
http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200303933_200303933.htm

I looks like it will adapt the rv socket to a BIG 7 way pin plug. If there’s adapter for it, there has got to be such a plug.

Good Luck!!

JEFFREY KOERNER wrote a comment on October 29, 2006

MY TOWMASTER T-40 TRAILER WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES WIRING GIVES NO WAY FOR THE BRAKE ASSIST BATTERY TO BE RECHARGED DURING SERVICE . I WOULD LIKE TO CHARGE THE WET CELL DURING NORNAL USE OF THE TRAILER. HOW??
( AT PRESENT THE ONLY TIME THE BATTERY DOES ANYTHING IS WHEN THE BREAKAWAY SWITCH IS CLOSED AND THAT FEEDS 12 VOLTS TO THE BRAKE MAGNETS.)

THERE IS NO WAY AT ANY TIME THE BATTERY GETS A REFRESHER CHARGE UNLESS I HOOK UP A CHARGER TO IT.

Administrator wrote a comment on November 6, 2006

A lot of people will simply tap into the TM circuit with a small jumper wire. Do this on the trailer plug side and don’t forget a small inline fuse. 2 or 3 amps should be plenty. Normally that battery won’t need much more than a trickle charge and it will then receive that charge anytime your trailer lights are on.

Be sure that your breakaway battery is fully charged at first.

PS: Sorry for the delay in answering…don’t know why I didn’t get email notification of this comment. One more website thing to look at….

joe mcmahon wrote a comment on November 18, 2008

Ok I keep finding these diagrams different then what I have. What I have is a Tekonsha trailer brake with a 7 pin connector. My wire diagram from the manufacture is for my motorhome female reciever starting at
1 o’clock black 10 gauge battery charger
3 o’clock brown 14 gauge right stop/ turn
5 o’clock blue 12 gauge trailer brakes
7 o’clock white 10 gauge common ground
9 o’clock red 14 gauge left stop/ turn
11 o’clock green 14 gauge tail license
center yellow 14 gauge
So I tested my system and it all works. It was installed by a shop

Care to comment?



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