Best Trailer Connectors in 2022

Last update: January 14, 2023

Are all 7 pin trailer connectors wired the same?

Most 7-pin trailer connectors are wired the same, with the exception of the backup/reverse light circuit. Some trailers have a separate wire for this function, while others share the taillight circuit.

Are all trailers 7 pin?

No, not all trailers are 7 pin. Some trailers have 5 pins, while others have 6 or even 7. The number of pins corresponds to the number of electrical circuits that the trailer needs. So a trailer with more electrical circuits will need more pins.

Can you convert a 4 pin trailer to a 7 pin?

A 4 pin trailer connector can be converted to a 7 pin by adding a wire to the blue trailer connector. This wire must be connected to the trailer's brakes.

Do I need 7 pin or 13 pin?

There are two types of trailer connectors, the 7-pin and the 13-pin. So, which one do you need? The 7-pin connector is the most common type and is generally used for trailers with electric brakes. The 13-pin connector is less common but is used for trailers with hydraulic brakes. If you are not sure which type of connector you need, you can always consult your trailer's owners manual or ask a professional at your local trailer dealership.


Battery Charging Cables SAE TO SAE 12V-24V Quick Disconnect Extension Cable 2 Pin With Dust Cap DC Connection Cord Plug 12 Feet 16AWG Gauge for Camp Trailer Solar Panels Battrey Review:


Since my van sits inactive for about a week at a time, I cut this in half and used it to splice a lead out to the back of the vehicle. To make it easier to plug in a charger when my van is backed up close to the garage, I buried the lead beneath my bumper. This makes it simple to access my charging station from the back of my van. I can plug in more accessories with it as well. I kept the other half for a different purpose.



CURT 58380 Vehicle-Side and Trailer-Side 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness with 12-Inch Wires, 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Review:


I exclusively use Curt connectors now that Harbor Freight connectors have given me problems. They are strong and easily put together. To connect one connector to the car and the other to the trailer, I divided mine in half. I recently learned that you should have one of these extenders uncut in your car when buying a new trailer after purchasing a boat. I couldn't connect the trailer to my car's wiring because the youngster from whom I purchased the boat left no slack in the wiring. He had one of them fortunately, and his father gave it to me.



Hopkins 48145 4 Wire Flat Extension, 12" Length Review:


To avoid having to continually cut and resplice my off-road lights when I remove my grill, I bought these to cut in half and use as quick disconnects for the lights on my front bumper. To keep mud and other debris out and keep it cooler here in Arizona, I wash my radiator and ac condenser. This eliminates one task from my to-do list. The real length of the wire is 9", but they need to be 12" long.



Hopkins 40974 Multi-Tow 7 Blade and 4 Flat Connector Review:


I recently acquired a 2013 Ford F150 with a broken trailer hookup. The wiring harness connector that connects into the rear of the receptacle was irreparably damaged, and many of the wires were broken and rusted.The double receptacle for 4 and 7 pin plugs, along with the matching connector for the vehicle wiring harness, are both included in this package. It securely keeps in place and snaps into the OEM bracket.Strong springs in the receptacle lids create a tight seal when closed.The connector lines are longer and heavier gauge than the vehicle wiring harness, thus I was able to cut out a good chunk of the broken cable while still having a ton of spare wire.Although some wire colors do not match OEM colors, OEM colors do not complement one another. The directions that came with it were simple to understand. All I had to do was align the connector wires with the OEM wires on the plug in the same location.I used adhesive-lined butt connectors that you heat shrink to connect the spliced wires since the adhesive creates a watertight seal around the wires. In order to provide further protection, I then wrapped the connectors with adhesive-lined shrink tubing.It has been on for two months and is flawless.Overall, a fantastic product at a fair price. Without a doubt, I'd buy it again.



CURT 58140 Trailer-Side RV Blade 7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness Connector, 7-Pin Trailer Wiring Review:


Always below freezing, windy, and dark outside, you have to kneel in the slush on the side of the road with a flashlight in your teeth trying to get electrical tape to stick when it is so cold it won't even stretch, and your fingers get frostbite and hurt. Trailer wiring never goes wrong on a warm sunny day.The wiring on every one of my trailers with four-post flat connections would frequently break off where it entered the rubber plug. The light gauge, made in China wires become kinked and eventually break when pushed into the 7 way adaptor. Those inexpensive plugs have no strain relief built in. I eventually came to the conclusion it was a terrible thing to do after replacing them multiple times. They need another splice in the wire, which our salt-covered winter roads will quickly complete, but they will only break again. I substitute these. Now that I have a great big plug body with built-in pull tab tabs to press and pull on, I don't have to remember where my adaptor plug is and the wiring isn't getting strained. All of my flat 4s are being converted to round 7. Additionally, it stops many people from requesting to borrow my trailers because their wiring is incompatible. :)



CURT 58260 Vehicle Socket Way Flat Towing Tester 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Review:


This tool enables you to test your installation of the lighting kit for your towing vehicle if you have installed a 4-way flat connector to supply brake, signal, and tail lights for a trailer but do not yet possess a trailer. The tester's indicator lights, according to some reviewers, produce unclear results; however, I advise you to just perform a series of tests using the brake pedal, turn signal lever, emergency flasher, and headlight switch on your car. If your installation was done properly, you should be able to see a distinct pattern of LED lights, with single lights for turn signals and two lights for brakes, emergency, and headlights, as shown in the accompanying video. Additionally, there is very little chance of wires crossing because the 4-way flat connector and other connections in trailer lighting kits can only be fitted one way. Naturally, you should double-check everything when you connect a trailer out of concern for your safety.



AutoSonic 7 Way Trailer Plug Cord RV-Style Trailer Connector with 7 Pin Plug, Heavy Duty Cable with Junction Box, Trailer Lights Wiring Kit, 8 Feet Long Review:


Disclaimer: I received a discount on this item in exchange for an unbiased evaluation.Pros:Plug inserted securely into my truck's outlet. It required some work to put it on (which is a good thing in my opinion).The installation process appears to be quite straightforward. I'm not sure if this is typical of all aftermarket trailer plugs, but simply cut the wire from your old plug and run it into the junction box on the new cord (make sure you know which wire goes where).The wires inside the sheathing are not brittle and weak; rather, they are strong and stiff.Cons:The plastic connection box feels poorer quality than the rest of the cord. It will no doubt endure just fine, but everything else is of the highest caliber, making it stand out.There will be more hardware required than what is provided because the junction box needs to be installed somewhere on your tongue.Overall, if your old trailer plug has to be replaced like mine did, this is a good purchase.



MICTUNING Heavy Duty 7 Way Plug Inline Trailer Cord with 7 Gang Junction Box - 8 Feet, Weatherproof Review:


My year-old travel trailer's 7-Way connection has been giving me sporadic connectivity issues. A friend's tip led me to buy this replacement. The wiring tangle that my trailer manufacturer caused has been greatly reduced thanks to this unit's excellent construction. The device is delivered in good condition, and it features a number of grommets that you can use to run cables in a reasonably enclosed environment. One very minor manufacturing flaw was discovered, and it was fixed. A few loose wire strands protruded from the crimped connector on the blue wire. If the strands had made touch with another wire or ground, it might have resulted in a short circuit on the brake line. I'll include a picture of the flyaway hairs below.This item and the wiring on my trailer matched up perfectly. Red to red, brown to brown, etc. Decoder rings weren't required. Although made of plastic, the mounting lugs are extremely durable and ought to survive for many years.I had to install, tidy up the wires, crimp on new connections, and heat shrink them all in a little over two hours. After finishing, I tested the brakes and lights, and the first time I attempted it, everything functioned without a hitch. Anyone seeking to replace an OEM wired plug and box should consider this product.



CARROFIX 4 Flat Truck to 7 Way Round Trailer Light Adapter Reverse Plug with Mounting Bracket Review:


was the most affordable answer to my boat trailer demands. Using a steel drill bit and the supplied screws, installation was incredibly simple. held up flawlessly over a 1600-mile road trip!



CURT 58150 Vehicle-Side RV Blade 7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness Connector, 7-Pin Trailer Wiring Review:


On schedule and exactly as described. With post screws and retainers, wiring is simple. Although strain relief at each end helps prevent wire pull-through, it's always a good idea to crimp AND SOLDER your fork connectors and add a few zip ties just north of the strain relief for further pull-out prevention.The one thing I didn't like was that the connector housing's pin markings weren't coloured according to the galactic wire standards. It was a little confusing to wire up at first because of this, but the pin numbers were perfect. When interpreting a wiring diagram, make sure you are looking at the appropriate side (the side of the car).


Do I need a brake controller if I have a 7-pin?

If you have a 7-pin connector on your vehicle, you do not need a brake controller. The 7-pin connector provides power to the brakes and lights on your trailer.

What are the different types of trailer connectors?

There are several types of trailer connectors, the most common being the 4-way flat. This connector has four wires for the basic functions of turn signals, brake lights, and taillights. There are also 6-way and 7-way connectors that add auxiliary functions like electric brakes, a 12V power supply, and backup lights.

What do the colors mean on trailer wiring?

The colors on trailer wiring typically follow the American Wire Gauge standards. However, some trailer manufacturers will use different colors for different purposes. For example, one manufacturer may use red for the tail lights, while another may use brown.

What does a 12 pin trailer plug do?

What does TM mean on a trailer plug?

TM stands for Trailer Mounted. A trailer mounted plug is a type of electrical connector that is used to connect a trailer to a tow vehicle. This type of plug is typically used on trailers that have electric brakes or lights.

What is a 12 pin trailer connector for?

A 12 pin trailer connector is a type of electrical connector that is commonly used on trailers. It is designed to provide a safe and reliable connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. The 12 pin connector is typically used on trailers that have electric brakes, lights, and other accessories.