7 pin traditional versus SAE

If the socket on the truck is easily changed, it only makes sense to change it. Odds are you won't ever be pulling a 53' van or a lowboy with an F150.

capacitor wrote:
Marty, my son bought it new with this outlet. It was a 15 minute job to install the brake controller and I have spent the rest of the day figuring out what to do. I’m getting close to replacing the SAE socket but not quite there yet. Being a dad can have some drawbacks like the headache I have now. Beer time!

Ford Has A Better Idea. You betcha

Must be a 1 year Super Duty option? (tongue in cheek) As the 03 2250, 05&08 150s, '11 150, '12 250, '15 250 all had flat blade 7 pin RV connectors, not the round 7 pin from the factory.
Haven't actually seen or used the small round 7pin connectors since the 80s/early 90s.
Regardless, swap it out. Not that hard. Verify the pin outs with a multimeter or test light.

My F-500, I had both commercial and RV plugs plus flat 4 and round 5. All would work the lights and brakes on most trailers. (often would plug semi trailer in to test lights)
Ever wonder why the hands that got to run, got to have lights don't mess with the RV style? If there is corrosion in the contacts because the trailer has not been used? Few seconds with a small round wire brush, good to go. Now try to clean the slots on RV style. The plug loose in socket? Use a screw driver in the slot in pins, spread just a little. Now it fits tight.
Another possible benefit of putting a commercial on the RV trailer; Mr Stealit might think about the rare LEO that would check out the trailer that doesn't have lights...

Ford uses the standard 7 flat pin connector.
Same on my 2019 F150 as on my 2008 Explorer.
The various 53 options define towing capacity. A is the normal tow package sometimes referred to as Heavy Duty. B is the hitch/wiring package sometimes referred to as Medium Duty. C is MaxTow up to 12,600#. All F150 come with the bumper mount/4 pin Light Duty Towing (5000# min, 7000# 3.5EB & 5.0.)
Your’s was modified. Hard to believe it was this way new in 2011.

Marty, my son bought it new with this outlet. It was a 15 minute job to install the brake controller and I have spent the rest of the day figuring out what to do. I’m getting close to replacing the SAE socket but not quite there yet. Being a dad can have some drawbacks like the headache I have now. Beer time!

Ford Has A Better Idea. You betcha

Did your done buy this truck used? That's my swag frankly. Previous owner may have been part of a construction firm that had ALL of it's trailers wired using the SAE plugs. This might NOT be a Ford factory option. It's not with GM any how.
So yes, changing out to the RV plug setup could be easiest/best option.
Bryan and I are in same boat, font use an adapter. It's one thing to go from a 7-4pin. Sae to RV could be a bit more interesting.

Marty

The truck has the SAE socket. I found that it looks as though there is a USCAR connection on the back of the 7 pin that I may be able to remove and replace the 7 pin with an RV type socket. Not sure yet as I want to take a look at it first. Was Ford thinking this truck was going to pull a set of belly dumps or a D8 on a trailer? It appears the SAE plug is for big stuff!
any way, that is the plan so far. I'm surprised no-one has run into this but thanks for the info.

wnjj wrote:
Sounds like it has a 7-pin round pin connector and this is the adapter you need.

They don't really work though, since the pinouts are different, not just the shapes. Of course... the trailer in question may not have been wired to SAE spec to start with so maybe it would work...

I've built my own previously, to tow RV combinations with a heavy wrecker (which had the SAE 7-way and pinouts). I used a waterproof splice box to house a house a "separate to combination" turn signal brake light adapter, then had to run through a Tekonsha wireless brake controller since the SAE pinouts don't include a brake controller circuit.

Sounds like it's time to put a regular 7-pin RV plug on that trailer. The 7-pin SAE plug is typically on commercial plugs.

Note that the SAE version doesn't have all the same pins, besides the pins being round. Brake and turn circuits are separate (not a big deal... just reuse the brake light circuit as the trailer brake circuit, run the turn signals as combination stop/tail lights swapping to red lenses if it already doesn't have them), there's no backup-light circuit, and there's 2 running light circuits one for tail-lights one for clearance lights.

Marty, that’s the way I’m leaning. On my GMC, I unplugged the wiring harness from the back of the 7 pin female and replaced it due to corrosion. Snapped the wiring harness back on and done. I’m searching now for this plan but need to take a better look at what he has. I see Ford has a 53a,b,c package. Maybe this stupid plug comes with one of those.