RoyB wrote:
When you are changing out for the 7-way connector setup it is probably a good idea to get the 4-way 7-way combo connector. There are many times I need to use my 4-way setup here with my utility trailer etc...
My F150 setup has this dual connector with the 4-way pin setup on one side and the 7-way BLADE setup on the other side...
I also carry one of these tester adapters that plugs into the truck side for the RV 7-way and trailer 4-way plugs. Most useful items to determine if the problem is on the truck side or the trailer side when you are having trailer lights problems
Note the utility trailers use the round pin connections where the RV trailers use the flat blade type connections.
ADDED NOTE: I just noticed the RV PLUG photo shown is not for the RV TRAILER should look like this... Hopefully you get the idea hehe...
ETRAILER.COM has everything you need for this change out... ETRAILER also has videos for installing most of their products which is very helpful...
Of course you really need to nail down the trailer weight and towing capacity of your truck. No need to change out all of off this if it turns out your truck is not capable of towing the trailer "SAFELY". Note I did say "SAFELY"...
Also since you new to all of this towing etc please read up on the DOT REQUIREMENTS of having working ELECTRIC BRAKEs when on the roads as well as a working TRAILER EMERGENCY DISCONNECT feature that will lock up your trailer brakes in the event the trailer becomes disconnected from your truck when being towed. This is a "LAW" if your trailer is equipped with electric brakes.... For the RV Trailer this also means you must have a working battery installed on the RV trailer as well when being towed.
Just some of my thoughts
Roy Ken
Wow thank you so much for this. I just spent 3 hours grinding, sending and painting my trailer hitch on the truck today (it was a little weathered), and when i looked at my plug, my 4 way plug was missing, just the wire at the end, past a black box tucked behind the hitch (we bought the truck just before Christmas). This is all somewhat frustrating lol.
I am going to test out if i have power to those wires first, just in case there is nothing. I have also decided to take the truck tomorrow to a wiring/hitch place to see exactly what is going on and how much it would be to install the set up. No matter what, i will definitely have one of those dual connectors plug in the back, since we also are looking into buying a little boat to go fishing.
By the way, i did crawl under the trailer today as well and the trailer does have brakes, and there is a battery on the trailer hitch (which would make sense with the DOT requirement you were talking about and there is a emergency wire cable with the electric wire/plug to hook to the car in case the trailer becomes detached from the truck. I will update you guys tomorrow with what i have found out and accomplished! Thanks again for all your help.
