By law trailer lighting must be connected into the tow vehicles wiring system to provide trailer running lights turn signals and brake lights. 7 way trailer connectors are used by the following vehicle types.
Choosing The Right Connectors For Your Trailer Wiring
Small 7 pin trailer plug wiring diagram. Trailer electrical connectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Trailer plug wiring diagrams use the correct size cable for the plugsocket most standard plugs will accept up to a 4mm auto cable easily. This has now been replaced by 13 pin euro plugs on all new caravans. In the trailer wiring diagram and connector application chart below use the first 5 pins and ignore the rest. So i will have a 12v source to my trailer battery from the 7 pin and a converted 12v srouce from shore power via a charger. My understanding is that my 7 pin 12v from the truck will not charge the trailer battery only maintain it although i am getting 142 v on a volt meter at the pin.
Use the 7 pin connector anyway see below and just leave out the last 2 wires. The basic purpose remains the same whether your truck and trailer is using a 4 way 5 way 6 way or 7 way connector. Below is a diagram for the original plug and socket showing the functions of each pin. 7 way trailer wiring diagram is explained in details in the picture and the table below. Includes guides for 7 pin 6pin 5 pin 12 pin 13 pin pin and heavy duty round plugs and sockets. The 12 pin flat plug have a second row of 5 larger points which will accept up to 6mm auto cable.
This supplies power to the road lighting of your trailer or caravan. If your truck has a built in 7 pin socket but you only need 5 of the pins. A colour coded trailer plug wiring guide to help you require your plugs and sockets. 7 pin trailer wiring diagram with brakes. I used a small 7 pin round for 10 years and then after replacing the plug multiple times changed to 7 pin flat for the last 15 years and i have never had a problem with a flat connector. I plan to plug the trailer in over night to shore power.
I had one vehicle with a 12 pin socket and a trailer with a 7 pin connector and they played happily for years. On most recreational vehicles. Large 5th wheel trailers. The 7 pin n type plug and socket is still the most common connector for towing.