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bighatnohorse's avatar
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016

My wiring harness for tow vehicle needs help?

I had to make up two wiring harnesses with connectors for my tow vehicle.
They've been used a couple of years and are still okay.

One is a four pin. Other is a two pin connector.
Inset photo is closer view - you can see the black electrical tape pulling away and can allow dirt and moisture to enter.

But how can they be improved?
Are there better parts for making up these types of harness's?

5 Replies

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  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2016
    Harness improvements: The plastic wire covers are passe'. Use a good covering like Techflex. Electrical tape, even if made by 3M or the Deity is asking for failure. Use good heatshrink, the best being the adhesive coated type.
    FWIW, when I made my trailer umbilical I used an armored metal covering. It is overkill but I had it on hand.
  • burningman's avatar
    burningman
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2016
    I suggest going to a standard 7-pin connector instead of two separate ones.
    If you need to pass more current than they will handle, perhaps big-truck style plugs. They're similar to the RV type but have round pins instead of flat and are generally heavier-duty.
    I hook and unhook the trailer on my big truck all the time and never have trouble with the electric connection.
  • bighatnohorse's avatar
    bighatnohorse
    Explorer II
    Oct 21, 2016
    Great! I've got some of the 2242 tape. I didn't know how it was supposed to be used.
    Agreed. Heat shrink tubing would be a good starting point.
    But I don't have time or want to un-solder the wire to install heat-shrink.

    Next time I'll remember to use heat shrink tubing AND the 2242 tape.
    But for now, I'll wrap with the 2242 tape.
    As illustrated at the university of YouTube
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2016
    bighatnohorse wrote:
    - you can see the black electrical tape pulling away and can allow dirt and moisture to enter.

    But how can they be improved?


    Heat Shrink Tubing ... far superior to any tape.
  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2016
    Get some 3M 23 rubber splicing tape. It stretches to seal better and adheres to itself. Had that problem with the 50 amp cable. I stretched it to 1/2 its original width and wrapped it tightly. No more problems.

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