trailer wiring question

[swampy]

Not much left of my connector after it drug on the ground from salem to newport :crazy: It was a flat , FIVE wire connector with four prongs.....I can only find four wire flat to replace. Question is do i need a five wire or will it ground to the hitch ?? Or ??? Thx in advance.
swampy

[slowdawg]

I think if you just wire the two tail light wires togather on your trailer you only need a four prong plug. At least that is the way I wire mine. I do not remember the colors . One for ground one right turn one left turn and one wire for the tail lights. Brake light work on the same wire as the tail lights.I hope I made this sound simple.




Wayne

[swampy]

Roger that slowdawg....connect the two browns together :agree:
Thanks

[Boats]

Do you have trailer surge brakes?
There are different ways to wire trailers depending upon the trailer config.

Some trailers with surge brakes include a blue wire that disengages the brakes when you put the vehicle in reverse.

Also, you should run a white ground wire. While a ground can be made through the tongue's contact to the trailer ball, it may loose contact as you go over bumps in the road leading to light flickering.
Poor grounding is the source of many common trailer lighting problems.

Combining brown wires is ok.

Typically the five is for trailers with the blue brake disconnect:
1 Green (Passenger Side and Brake Light)
2 Yellow (Driver's Side and Brake Light)
3 Brown (Running Lights and License Plate)
4 White (Ground)
5 Blue (Reverse Brake Disconnect)

If you don't have a blue disconnect, the 4 should be fine.

If you need the 5 flat... try U-Haul or Van Specialties in Lake Oswego by Joes.

[slowdawg]

One thing I did say that was wrong. The brake lights work on the turn signals not the tail light. But it sounds like it worked out ok.





Wayne

[sliverslinger]

well I have a ford ranger 4x4, and my wiring is all screwed up. I can get the turn signals fine and the tail lights, But the brake lights wont work when the headlights are on. I looked and used my wire tester and I have two wires going into the tail light. one for the tail lights and the other for the brake lights. I have a flat four plug, and I cant seem to get it wired correctly.
I know that ford makes a plug for my ranger just for towing, I have one but it doesnt seem to work correctly. can you help me out also.

[slowdawg]

I would Start at the pu. I don't understand the head lights and the brake lights. You need at least four wires as I said in the above post. the brake and turn work on the same wires why don't you pm your phone# and maybe I can talk you through it and maybe figure out your problem.


Wayne

[sliverslinger]

thank you slowdog, Your advice was very helpful and all is great now. Thanks again:cheers:

[slowdawg]

you bet. little things can cause big problems. I am glad things worked out


Wayne

[Boats]

Hey Slowdawg... Way to help another iFisher out! :)
I always like to read these posts where someone needed some help and another iFisher goes out of his/her way to assist.

[slowdawg]

Thanks o2. I think that is what is so great about Ifish. I don't post much but I like to help when I can. Wiring problems has always been pretty easy for me.


Wayne