Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Trailer Hitch Wiring (time to redo)
| Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 12:24  |
mickey szilagyi
Messages: 273
Registered: January 2013
Karma: 0
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We just installed a Merrell hitch. It went very well. We cut out the center notches in the bumper and used rubber U channel to finish/protect the cut edges. We used the following and it is good stuff, very flexible. We needed just over 12 inches so ordered 2 feet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350917787801?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
We now wish to install a 7 prong hitch plug and replace the wiring that goes back to the hitch area. The PO did some odd stuff so we can't tell for sure what is what so we want to start over.
First of all just in case we wish to haul a towd or use a braking system for whatever we haul, is the 7 prong plug the way to go? Is there something else instead?
Secondly, where does all this wiring start up front? Is there a OEM harness or spot where trailer wiring should or does start?
Thirdly, we're assuming we need 7 wires for the 7 prong plug, or at least 6 with a ground to the frame back at the plug. What kind and what gauge wire is recommended? Is there a wire bundle/cable made for just this purpose?
Fourth, we think the wires can be run through the coach interior or partially through the coach as we found a spot behind the generator compartment where wires lead from the interior out the bottom of the coach. Or is there a better way or an original way the wires run/ran? Did coaches come prewired from the factory for trailers?
We don't know at this point what kind of braking system we will install but can we assume the wiring is all the same? It seems that we can install a connector up front, a plug/harness, that we can plug into when the time comes to install electric brakes. We also are aware of surge brakes and assume they do not require any electricity to work.
Any comments about this are greatly appreciated. Please advise if our thinking is flawed or comment on whatever we have forgotten or problems we might encounter.
Thanks, as always,
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #264998 is a reply to message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 13:08  |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
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7 pin is the way to go. Once you have that installed you can use 4 or 5 flat connector adapters if you need to. A site like eTrailer is a good place to look. They have wiring videos and other helpful articles, and pretty good prices too. All the wires you need should be available at the rear of the coach except the brake controller, but you can add that one whenever you need it.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265001 is a reply to message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 13:20 |
bpimm
Messages: 211
Registered: June 2013
Location: Washougal Washington
Karma: 2
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If you end up using surge brakes there are 2 kinds, free backing, and those that apply the brakes if you try to back up. for the latter you run the backup light signal to the trailer and use a solenoid in the brake line to shut off the brakes when backing, the trailer I just built has 4 wheel disk brakes which are not free backing so I went ahead and put backup lights on the trailer for night time backing. Electric and most drum brakes you don't have to worry about it. After having backup lights on the trailer I wouldn't have it any other way.
Don't forget about a power wire to charge the trailer/towd battery, isolated with a combiner of course..
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265024 is a reply to message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 16:52 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Mickey,
Suggest you Advance Auto and buy one of these:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/hopkins-towing-solution-7rv-5-flat-multi-tow-48470/10651332-P?searchTerm=hopkins+tow+connector
Amazon has them as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48470-Multi-Tow-Vehicle-Connector/dp/B004N5U7DS#productDetails
With this socket you can plug in 7 round, 5 flat, or 4 flat connectors, you don't need any adapters!
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mickey Szilagyi
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 4:24 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring
We just installed a Merrell hitch. It went very well. We cut out the center notches in the bumper and used rubber U channel to
finish/protect the cut edges. We used the following and it is good stuff, very flexible. We needed just over 12 inches so ordered
2 feet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350917787801?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
We now wish to install a 7 prong hitch plug and replace the wiring that goes back to the hitch area. The PO did some odd stuff so
we can't tell for sure what is what so we want to start over.
First of all just in case we wish to haul a towd or use a braking system for whatever we haul, is the 7 prong plug the way to go?
Is there something else instead?
Secondly, where does all this wiring start up front? Is there a OEM harness or spot where trailer wiring should or does start?
Thirdly, we're assuming we need 7 wires for the 7 prong plug, or at least 6 with a ground to the frame back at the plug. What kind
and what gauge wire is recommended? Is there a wire bundle/cable made for just this purpose?
Fourth, we think the wires can be run through the coach interior or partially through the coach as we found a spot behind the
generator compartment where wires lead from the interior out the bottom of the coach. Or is there a better way or an original way
the wires run/ran? Did coaches come prewired from the factory for trailers?
We don't know at this point what kind of braking system we will install but can we assume the wiring is all the same? It seems that
we can install a connector up front, a plug/harness, that we can plug into when the time comes to install electric brakes. We also
are aware of surge brakes and assume they do not require any electricity to work.
Any comments about this are greatly appreciated. Please advise if our thinking is flawed or comment on whatever we have forgotten
or problems we might encounter.
Thanks, as always,
--
Mickey
1977 Kingsley, 403, Lansing, MI
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265025 is a reply to message #264998] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 16:59 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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David,
I would suggest that Mickey go to his local Advance Auto and buy one of these:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/hopkins-towing-solution-7rv-5-flat-multi-tow-48470/10651332-P?searchTerm=hopkins+tow+connector
Amazon has them as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48470-Multi-Tow-Vehicle-Connector/dp/B004N5U7DS#productDetails
Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of David Orders
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 5:09 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring
7 pin is the way to go. Once you have that installed you can use 4 or 5 flat connector adapters if you need to. A site like eTrailer
is a good place
to look. They have wiring videos and other helpful articles, and pretty good prices too. All the wires you need should be available
at the rear of the
coach except the brake controller, but you can add that one whenever you need it.
--
1976 Royale "Twinkie II" Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another
is entirely up to
us."
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GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265034 is a reply to message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 19:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The 7 pin connector is the way to go if you want more than brake, turn signals, and tail lights back there.
I am assuming that you already have wiring back there for the 4 pin connector (brake, tail, and turn signal). If you do then this item will make it easy to add th 7 pin connector and reuse the existing 4 pin wiring. It will give you connectors for both 4 pin and 7 pin trailers. You install it and then only run the additional conductors for trailer brakes and +12 hot all the time for trailer accessories and / or trailer battery charging.
https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/37185.html
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265037 is a reply to message #264996] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 20:10 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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mickey szilagyi wrote on Tue, 28 October 2014 12:24
Secondly, where does all this wiring start up front? Is there a OEM harness or spot where trailer wiring should or does start?
My album on the "missing blue wire" may answer this question:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6278-blue-wire.html
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265042 is a reply to message #265037] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 20:57 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I guess I'm the odd man out here. I used a six pole, round pin trailer connector. It was simpler for me, because all my other tow vehicles and trailers have that type of connector. The brake lights do NOT require a separate wire since the turn signal wires energize the brake lights. The wiring is; ground, tail/park, RT/brake, LT/brake, trailer brake controller and aux (for a charge wire for the towed vehicle or trailer).
JWID
https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11609.html
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265045 is a reply to message #265042] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 21:03 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Some (many?) vehicles have brake lights that are totally separate from the turn signals.
Then, you MUST have 7-conductor wiring in order to have that auxiliary wire capability for things such as charging towd battery system, etc.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:57:17 -0600
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: carljr3b@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring
>
> I guess I'm the odd man out here. I used a six pole, round pin trailer connector. It was simpler for me, because all my other tow vehicles and
> trailers have that type of connector. The brake lights do NOT require a separate wire since the turn signal wires energize the brake lights. The
> wiring is; ground, tail/park, RT/brake, LT/brake, trailer brake controller and aux (for a charge wire for the towed vehicle or trailer).
>
> JWID
>
> https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11609.html
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265046 is a reply to message #265042] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 21:34 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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I side with Carl 6 wire is the way to go. If you are towing a car 4 wheels down you need a brake buddy ,even brake or something similar for suplumental braking and if you are towing for several hours you will need a charge wire to keep the toad battery charged or you will have a dead toad battery at the end of the day. Number 16 wire would be good for the tail and brake lights number 14 would be good for the ground and charge wire. Tie into the tail light and stop light wires . For the charge line run a wire along the frame from the chassis battery diode connection with a 20 amp circuit breaker at both ends of the wire one at the diode and one in the car where the wire connects to the car battery.As far as the toad wiring I would run the brake and taillight wires from the plug directly to the tail light housings of the tow car drill an extra hole in each tail light housing and add an extra bulb in each so you don't have to cut into the cars wiring and all power comes from the coach.This is the way I do it and it is fool proof and simple to trouble shoot
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265047 is a reply to message #265045] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 21:37 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Here is some info
http://gmcmotorhome.info/toad.html#WIRING
On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, D C _Mac_ Macdonald wrote:
> Some (many?) vehicles have brake lights that are totally separate from the
> turn signals.
>
> Then, you MUST have 7-conductor wiring in order to have that auxiliary
> wire capability for things such as charging towd battery system, etc.
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
> ~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ______________
> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
> *--OO--[]---O-*
>
>
>
>> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:57:17 -0600
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> From: carljr3b@gmail.com
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring
>>
>> I guess I'm the odd man out here. I used a six pole, round pin trailer
> connector. It was simpler for me, because all my other tow vehicles and
>> trailers have that type of connector. The brake lights do NOT require a
> separate wire since the turn signal wires energize the brake lights. The
>> wiring is; ground, tail/park, RT/brake, LT/brake, trailer brake
> controller and aux (for a charge wire for the towed vehicle or trailer).
>>
>> JWID
>>
>> https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11609.html
>> --
>> Carl Stouffer
>> '75 ex Palm Beach
>> Tucson, AZ.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265052 is a reply to message #265045] |
Tue, 28 October 2014 22:44 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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k2gkk wrote on Tue, 28 October 2014 19:03Some (many?) vehicles have brake lights that are totally separate from the turn signals.
Then, you MUST have 7-conductor wiring in order to have that auxiliary wire capability for things such as charging towd battery system, etc.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
______________
*[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
*--OO--[]---O-*
> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:57:17 -0600
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: carljr3b@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Trailer Hitch Wiring
>
> I guess I'm the odd man out here. I used a six pole, round pin trailer connector. It was simpler for me, because all my other tow vehicles and
> trailers have that type of connector. The brake lights do NOT require a separate wire since the turn signal wires energize the brake lights. The
> wiring is; ground, tail/park, RT/brake, LT/brake, trailer brake controller and aux (for a charge wire for the towed vehicle or trailer).
>
> JWID
>
> https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Pollak/PK11609.html
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
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That's true Mac, but the GMC is not one of them. To adapt the GMC's tail light wiring to a the other style wiring could be a challenge (at least for an electrical moron like me  ) . Roy's suggestion to add a separate socket to the tail light assembly is a good one. Our tracker came to us with the wiring and diode blocks already installed for the tail lights as well as a six pole, round pin connector. That made it really easy.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
[Updated on: Tue, 28 October 2014 22:48] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Trailer Hitch Wiring [message #265063 is a reply to message #264996] |
Wed, 29 October 2014 09:08 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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The currently common Bargman RV 7 Way is only a defacto standard and I have been bit by that on more than a few occasions in the last 30-odd years (the Bargman was not around when we started towing).
Look up SAE-J560b parts and specifications.
This is a very old, very common and easily available (any car parts place or truck stop). It is also a standard. So, if you buy J560b anything it will work with any other J560b of the opposite sex. These parts are made for long term commercial service. The only time I have had to replace one was when it got left on pavement and run over. When you need an adapter, go get another plug, a matching connector and wire it yourself. I am aware that I will be the odd-man-out here, but that is a place that I am very comfortable.
My coach came to me with a 4-wire round receptacle. The blue wire was folded back in the harness. When I needed it, it didn't work, but I did have a replacement on hand. When I mounted the Blaine hitch, I just used a hole saw on my already damaged rear bumper to install the J560.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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