riverbanx
Monroe, NY
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Just bought a pop up and need to add the brake controller and 7 blade connector (car end). Bought a Prodigy which comes with wiring to plug into my 2004 Ford Explorer 4X4 (simple install). At the hitch end, my truck has factory 4 way flat connector which I currently use for boat and another small trailer. Can I use a 7 way to 4 way adapter that will work with the brake controller? Or is there an additional wire I will have to run for the brake controller? Does anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance. 
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dodge guy
Chicago, western subs.
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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You`ll have to run the brake wiring and then buy a 7 way connector and tap into the 4 way for your brake and running lights. be sure to use the chassis ground and not the ground in the 4 way flat connector! you then can buy a 7 way to 4 way flat adapter for your boat and other trailer. also be sure to run a batt+ charge wire to keep the trailer batt charged.
I`m not sure on the Fords, but if it didn`t come with the 7 way connector at the back from the factory. then I don`t think you`ll have the brake hookup connector under the dash!
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Andrew in Canada
SW ONtario Canada
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dodge guy wrote:
I`m not sure on the Fords, but if it didn`t come with the 7 way connector at the back from the factory. then I don`t think you`ll have the brake hookup connector under the dash!
On my Ford, it had the plug under the dash, but it was not connected to anything (AFAIK !!!)I was told by the dealer that I had to get a "kit" from Ford that had cables, relays etc. Sounded expensive and considering I was due for a new truck before this camping season I did not bother. New one coming with factory tow package! Hopefully it is a simple plug in for the brake controller.
Andrew in Canada....waiting for the snow to melt.
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nfisherman
IL
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You'll need to install a 7-pin connector on your tow vehicle in order to use the brake controller. You can then buy 7-pin to 4-pin adaptor to connect your other trailers.
etrailer.com sells a wiring harness for this purpose. It has side by side 7-pin and 4-pin connectors so that you don't need any adaptors. I used their harness on my last TV and it worked well.
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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Well everyone answered correctly but I just couldn't resist stating it another way.
Your factory 4-way connector contains four wires.
ground
tail light
left turn
right turn
Your 7 way plug can use the same 4 wires as stated above. In addition you will have to add (Ford may have already done this) two more wires,
Charge
Brakes
I would not try to plug into your existing 4-way connector to provide power to your 7-way. You should hard wire the 7-wire into your existing factory wiring harness.
What I did for mine was I went to Wal-Mart and bought a 7 wire connector that also had a 4 wire connector built in. Here's a link to the manufacturer. I couldn't find a way to link the actual part but you can use the part locator to pull up a 2004 Explorer with factory 7-way plug. (yes I know the OP stated he did not have a factory 7 way plug.) click here I cut the end off the new plug and the end off my old 4-way plug. I then hooked the proper wires together and added the two extras (brake and charge) and everything was good to go.
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riverbanx
Monroe, NY
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Thanks for everyones help. Couple more questions:
The 4 way has:
ground
tail light
left turn
right turn
I need in addition:
Charge
Brakes
What is the 7th (aux) for? Do I really need it?
Also, how do I tie into the 12V? What kind of fuse setup do I need?
Thanks again all......
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pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
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Joined: 09/21/2007
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When I installed a hitch on my F150 I also added a 4pin and a 7 pin receptacle combo.
It plugged into the factory wiring under the rear of the truck.
I Just unpluged the factory wiring, pluged in receptacle wiring
I did find I needed to run pig-tail over top of hitch before hooking into wiring so bracket and wires were not under hitch but on top of hitch.
I had to add a relay and fuse under the hood to get the battery charging circuit working,
relay prevents trailer from draining truck battery when you turn off the key.
I bought the relays at ford I also bought the hitch from ford I tried two non factory hitches neither fit. I think I bought the wiring kit from ford.
Hope this helps PETE
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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riverbanx wrote:
What is the 7th (aux) for? Do I really need it?
Also, how do I tie into the 12V? What kind of fuse setup do I need?
Thanks again all......
I'm going to go out on a limb and answer without researching. If I recall correctly the center pin is typically used (but it's not common) for backup lights.
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pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
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Joined: 09/21/2007
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wiring of 7 pin:
1 white ground
2 blue electric brakes
3 green tail,running lights
4 black trailer battery charging
5 red left stop turn
6 brown right stop turn
7 yellow AUX- back up
Pete
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boatman44
massachsuetts
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Joined: 10/29/2006
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pete42 wrote:wiring of 7 pin:
1 white ground
2 blue electric brakes
3 green tail,running lights
4 black trailer battery charging
5 red left stop turn
6 brown right stop turn
7 yellow AUX- back up
Pete
I've been wiring and working on marine, camping, snowmobile, landscaper, all sorts of utility trailers for 45 years, professionally. The standard trailer wiring I've seen on all trailers except 18 wheeler (commercial 5th wheel) is like this:
white = ground
blue = electric brake controller
green = right turn
yellow = left turn
brown = running/tail lights
light green = backup lights/disc brake lockout solenoid
red = 12v charge/accessory wire
Trailers or tow vehicles that have other wiring color codes have usually been tampered with or modified by someone for their own preference or reason.
The tow vehicle's light green backup light wire is connected to the center pin of the 7 pin round connector to lock out the disc brakes when you try to back up, otherwise the trailer brakes lock up and you can't back up. When you put your tow vehice in reverse the backup light ciruit activates the lockout. Drum type trailer brakes have "free-backing" style brake shoes that accompish the same thing.
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