Electric Wires for Break Question

[MrDesjardins]

I am looking to buy a trailer. I notice that the wire to connect for the break is looking like the following picture:



However, my SUV (Kia Telluride) has this connection only:




I am a pretty beginner, so I am not sure the name of these components, neither I know what to purchase to make it works. Thank you in advance.

[MrDesjardins]

I do not think I have the towing package. Here is the official specs I have https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1548197

[Gdetrailer]

MrDesjardins wrote:
Thank you all
The suv can haul 5000 pounds and the trailer I have my eyes on is 3500 pounds (https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2013-jayco-jay-feather-ultra-lite-travel-trailer-floorplan-x17z-tr13211)

The hitch on my suv is there: https://photos.app.goo.gl/H5PcZviPvkUKaT7e8

Make sure you have enough available cargo capacity of the tow vehicle.

Generally you will run very short on cargo capacity before you get to the max towing rating.

That trailer tongue weight empty is listed at 405 lbs, generally that does not include the weight of a battery (required for brake break away system on trailers exceeding 3,001 lbs) nor does the dry tongue weight include the weight of propane (some may not include the propane cylinder weight either).

Battery and propane will add nearly 100 lbs to the tongue..

I suspect your tongue weight when equipped with one battery and one 20 lb cylinder will be around 505 lbs and that is before you ever get your gear in the trailer.

This trailer is also listed with only 600 lbs of cargo capacity and battery/propane will take nearly 100 lbs from that..

If GVWR is truly 3,500 lbs your tongue could weight as much as 525 lbs..

Not sure if your vehicle is designed for WD (I didn't review the hitch pix), but if you need it, that will add more weight to the tongue. Adding WD hitch will take away cargo capacity of the tow vehicle.

Pretty much in a nutshell, to tow this trailer loaded, you WILL need at a minimum of 600 lbs of available cargo weight with your selected vehicle.

Keep in mind, any passengers, gear or other items put into the tow vehicle WILL use up your available cargo capacity of the tow vehicle, REDUCING the weight your vehicle can tow.

Please, PLEASE, check your yellow door cargo sticker to make sure you have enough cargo capacity, do not rely on those supposed max tow numbers, they are often way overstated..

[dodge_guy]

Just be sure you have the towing package. With a 4-wire it's odd you wouldn't. Did the Kia have a hitch installed from the factory?

[MrDesjardins]

Thank you all
The suv can haul 5000 pounds and the trailer I have my eyes on is 3500 pounds (https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2013-jayco-jay-feather-ultra-lite-travel-trailer-floorplan-x17z-tr13211)

The hitch on my suv is there: https://photos.app.goo.gl/H5PcZviPvkUKaT7e8

[Lwiddis]

“Why, son, you can pull any trailer on this lot with that S-U-V!”

[Bird_Freak]

Check your towing limits first. Then so you don't BREAK your Kia or camper have someone install your controller and wire your BRAKES.

[time2roll]

Lynnmor wrote:
You need to install a brake controller and a 7 way trailer connector. Here is an example showing a kit available, but your needs may differ.

In addition to a wire kit you will also need a brake controller.

I recommend the P3:
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html

[Lwiddis]

I agree with GDE except for using U-Haul. Trailer store/shop as suggested.

Your trailer needs to be within the vehicle’s max tow weight and max payload. Is it?

[midnightsadie]

to keep from making a mess go to a trailer store let them wire things up.

[Gdetrailer]

Trailer has standard 7 "pin" connector.

Your vehicle has standard 4 pin connector.

The trailer most likely has electric brakes.

Your vehicle is not setup or equipped for electric brakes (IE no electric brake controller, no electric brake wire installed, no 7 pin connector installed.

To remedy this, you will need to buy and install a aftermarket electric brake controller ($100+, wire to connect controller to a new 7 pin connector on your vehicle, a 7 pin connector for your vehicle.

You can also have a place like UHAUL install for you at an upcharge.

You didn't show what kind of hitch you have on your vehicle, depending on weight of trailer, it may require an upgraded hitch.

Now is a good time to review just how much your vehicle is able to tow BEFORE committing to that trailer!

Newer vehicles have a yellow tag located on the drivers door which will give you available cargo of your vehicle.

Older vehicles will not have this and you will need to determine the empty weight and the max weight of vehicle (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Subtract empty weight from the GVWR and that is the cargo your vehicle can handle. You will need to subtract full tank of gas and you the driver..

Take that cargo weight and divide by .15 (15%) and result is the absolute max you can tow for your vehicle.

Example, say you have 1,000 lbs of cargo available, divide that by .15 and the magic number is 6666 lbs.

The .15 I referenced is 15% tongue weight, the trailer tongue becomes "cargo" of your vehicle. 15% will get you in the safest as possible towing combination.

Then you need to find out just how heavy that trailer and what it's max loaded weight!

There should be a data plate on the trailer, often on the tongue or drivers side of trailer and newer trailers may also be found in one of the kitchen cabinets.

Be very careful when using trailer dry weights, they are often understated and I would say sometimes considerably understated.

Good luck!

[Lynnmor]

You need to install a brake controller and a 7 way trailer connector. Here is an example showing a kit available, but your needs may differ.