Trailer hitch -- Does the 4 pin trailer wiring come with the wiring hot?

[Dperry285]

Does the 4 pin trailer wiring come with the wiring hot, I have a factory hitch, I know gm vehicles used to come from the factory with the trailer wiring unpowered, they put the fuse in a spare slot in the fuse box that you had to move to the hitch slot

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[Stealthfyter]

22 OBX here and my factory hitch came with power at the 4 pin.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Hot as a pancake. Ready to tow, no waiting.

 

[Dperry285]

Hot as a pancake. Ready to tow, no waiting.

Thanks

 

[jamlot]

Maybe stating the obvious, but the wiring is "hot", but only for brake/signal lights. If you wanted to to add 12V power + brakes you would need to convert to 7 pin and make the other necessary changes (wire to battery for power. +brake controller, etc.)

 

[Bucko]

Maybe stating the obvious, but the wiring is "hot", but only for brake/signal lights. If you wanted to to add 12V power + brakes you would need to convert to 7 pin and make the other necessary changes (wire to battery for power. +brake controller, etc.)

I doubt however that a seven pin would ever be used on a BS, as that would indicate a heavy trailer or camper, as the hot lead in a seven pin is usually for electric brakes on the trailer or powering a fridge (in a camper).

 

[cprcubed]

7-pin will have separate pins for both trailer brakes and charging. Cheers!

 

[jamlot]

I doubt however that a seven pin would ever be used on a BS, as that would indicate a heavy trailer or camper, as the hot lead in a seven pin is usually for electric brakes on the trailer or powering a fridge (in a camper).

My teardrop trailer uses a 7 pin connector, which I tow with my BS Badlands. I had to install a 4 --> 7 pin adapter to connect. I don't have it wired for power or brakes though. Some day I'd like to wire up for 12v power, but I don't need brakes.

 

[jamlot]

7-pin will have separate pins for both trailer brakes and charging. Cheers!

Correct, but if converting from 4 to 7 pin without also wiring the 12v power to the battery or installing a brake controller, you will only get Tail/Running Lights, Turn Signals/Brake lights through the plug. That is how mine is set up since my trailer has a 7 pin connector, but I don't need brakes and can get by without charging from the vehicle for the time being.

 

[cprcubed]

Correct, but if converting from 4 to 7 pin without also wiring the 12v power to the battery or installing a brake controller, you will only get Tail/Running Lights, Turn Signals/Brake lights through the plug.

You are correct. I just posted the diagram so others not familiar with normal wiring for a 7=pin connector would know. Cheers!

 

[jamlot]

You are correct. I just posted the diagram so others not familiar with normal wiring for a 7=pin connector would know. Cheers!

Thanks for that! I had to figure all of this out a few months ago when I found out the trailer I was buying had a 7 pin connector and I only had the stock 4 pin on the vehicle. Hopefully that diagram helps others in the same situation!

 

[omahafordowner]

for those that did a 4pin to 7 pin conversion, what gauge of wire and fuse size did you use?
I've seen sites that recommend 10 gauge and either 30 watt or 40 watt, but 10 gauge isn't even rated for 40 watts. I think I am going to do 10 and 30.

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