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TechWriter's avatar
TechWriter
Explorer
Aug 12, 2017

Adding Another RV/Toad Wiring Harness

Shortly after I had some RV engine work done, my RV's 7-way toad connector stopped working. A Cummins/Spartan repair shop wasn't able to find the problem.

So . . . I'm thinking of using one of the Hopkins kits to add another toad outlet, bypassing the 7-way completely.

Anyone done something like this?
  • If you have one already installed it would seem easier to make that one work again. Why run all new wires if wires are already there.
  • If unable to fix it yourself I would recommend to have a RV repair shop to fix the problem. It is not a chassis problem but an electrical problem. Cannot be a very complicated problem.
  • The 7-way gave up the ghost after we were hundreds of miles away from the dealer who did our engine work (and who may have caused the problem to begin with).

    Anyway, we gave Newmar a call, they said to call Spartan, and Spartan determined that when our 7-way was installed in 2000/2001, it was connected directly to the RV's lighting system -- no special fuse for the 7-way.

    So we took it to a Cummins/Spartan dealer close to us and after 3 hours they couldn't find out what was wrong. I told them to stop work and they graciously only charged me $244.

    So . . . I'm going to just bypass the current 7-way system, and install another wiring harness.

    The Tekonsha Zero Contact Interface looks like the solution because I won't be "cutting" into any of the RV's wiring.
  • On my Spartan chassis there are two plugs at the rear of the coach above the hitch, one has a converter that had failed and is also bundled up in the hitch,engine compartment door area,I had also called Spartan whom was very nice and accessed there prints but Fleetwood adds to it when the rv is built on the chassis .
    My not be the same on your coach but look very hard in the area, mine was tied up and head very well,
    What exactly isn't working, turn, brake,flashers , 12 volt supply? mine was the left turn signal to the toad that didn't work, coach lights all worked fine and right signal worked as did brake lights. It was like this one, can't find my order but it looks like this..
    https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Tekonsha/119190KIT.html