Forum Discussion

Leeski1981's avatar
Leeski1981
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015

1973 Bethany 48 Citation

Hello everyone this is my first post. I just signed up. We just bought our first camper this past weekend! It is a 1973 Bethany Citation. Excellent condition nearly mint. Has been restored and garaged kept since 2002. We bought if off the original owners. Now this is where my problem comes in. We have a 2014 Chevy Silverado with the 7 blade round connector. The camper has a 5 square connector. The wiring diagram for the camper is LH turn and stop, RH turn and stop, ground, parking lamps, and a 12 V hot wire. I have matched up all the proper wires to the proper connection wires for the truck. However the 12 V hot from the camper is my issue. What should that connect to on the 7 round? I have an auxiliary wire, and a 12 V wire. The camper has surge brakes so I know it doesn't need a connection since its manual. The only reason I ask is if we dry camp we would like the interior lights to work. Need some advice.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Sep 29, 2015
    Hi and welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy your vintage camper and get all your questions answered.:)

    I am going to move your thread to the Tech Issues forum so you will get more accurate answers. This forum is for towing issues.
    Barney
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    Camper: slides into the bed of a pickup truck

    Trailer: has wheels and follows you

    Motorhome: trailer that can be put into gear and driven away

    :) :)

    Welcome to the forum. Tip: read all replies and select those that make the most sense
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Camper: slides into the bed of a pickup truck

    Trailer: has wheels and follows you

    Motorhome: trailer that can be put into gear and driven away

    :) :)

    Welcome to the forum. Tip: read all replies and select those that make the most sense

    I gave up trying to inform people about RV terms.
    To most people, a camper is a teardrop or a 45' Prevost, and everything in between.
    And, I know people who call their TT a motorhome.
    Go figure....
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Sep 29, 2015
    However the 12 V hot from the camper is my issue. What should that connect to on the 7 round? I have an auxiliary wire, and a 12 V wire.

    The 12 volt hot from the truck hooks to the 12 volt tag line from the trailer.
  • docnascar's avatar
    docnascar
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

    http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11501.html

    Specs:

    Volt rating: 12 volts - 24 volts
    Current rating: 15 amps
    Wiring configuration:
    Color - circuit:
    White - Ground Return
    Green - Right Turn and Brake Lights
    Yellow - Left Turn and Brake Lights
    Red - Auxiliary Circuit
    Brown - Tail Lights


    Is it 12V from the trailers battery? I would think the trailer should not supply power to the wiring harness. Your vehicle does this.

    If its an AUX port then it can be used for whatever.





    HTH
  • Leeski1981's avatar
    Leeski1981
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    The 12 Volt line is labeled in the trailer wiring scheme. There isn't a battery on board for the trailer. It needs to be supplied from the truck. I bought a Hopkins 7 blade w/ six foot cable. My intention was to splice the connection from the trailer to this. After going through and matching up the functions from the trailer. I was left with three wires brakes, auxiliary, and 12 volt. So I should connect the trailer 12 volt to the 12 volt wire for the truck? Now will that drain the truck battery?
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Sep 29, 2015
    Leeski1981 wrote:
    The 12 Volt line is labeled in the trailer wiring scheme. There isn't a battery on board for the trailer. It needs to be supplied from the truck. I bought a Hopkins 7 blade w/ six foot cable. My intention was to splice the connection from the trailer to this. After going through and matching up the functions from the trailer. I was left with three wires brakes, auxiliary, and 12 volt. So I should connect the trailer 12 volt to the 12 volt wire for the truck? Now will that drain the truck battery?


    It WILL drain your truck battery!

    Normally, a trailer has its own battery, and there is a one-way connection (with solenoid) between it and truck battery so that the truck alternator can charge the camper battery while driving.
  • Leeski1981's avatar
    Leeski1981
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2015
    I understand that, but this particular trailer doesn't have an extra battery. It has a converter and some 12 volt lights. I am assuming that is why there is a 12 volt hot for the trailer.

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