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6 pin trailer plug

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Old Oct 25, 2012 | 01:32 PM
  #1  
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From: Gary,Indiana
6 pin trailer plug

To start with my truck havs the 7 pin and 4 pin trailer plugs on the back of my truck but inside the bed it has a 6 pin wired to the others so I don't know if it is correctly wired. The PO must have put it in and did have a 5ht wheel trailer?? I have seen 2 different wiring diagrams for the 6 pin. This is the plug I bought that matchs the socket. Electrical Wiring - Tow Ready

Now a have a cap on the truck with a 3rd brake light and it also has a switched light in it. And I would like to use the trailer plug so I unhook easy. So I am sure you guys would know which of the 2 wiring diagrams would be correct so I can make sure it correct.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2012 | 08:27 PM
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Probably a gooseneck trailer Ed. And the reason for different wiring diagrams has to do with what it is used for, some have battery charge 12V source, some are wired for Backup interlocks. The 7 pin is a little more mainstream in what I have seen in that they all remain consistent.

The difference in the 6 and 7 is the accessory voltage. The 6 pin may or may not have a 12V signal for a "dome" light.

As for the "brake" signal you won't have that either. Yes there is a "brake control" signal but that voltage varies. If you didn't mind the light flashing with the turn signal you could grab either side's brake/turn signal, but knowing you, you wouldn't want that. Nor would I. Since trailer uses both the turn and the brake signal from the same wiring.

You'd honestly IMO, be better off, just mounting a 2 or 3 pin connector new on both ends with the signals you want.

Most people with caps, simply tap into the existing 3rd brake light circuit for the 3rd light on the cap.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 02:03 AM
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The difference between 6 and 7 is not quite that simple...

6 has:
Left Turn
Right Turn
Tail
Brake
Ground
12v

The brake and 12v can be wired either way...

7 pin:
Left Turn
Right Turn
Tail
Brake
Ground
12V+
Center pin is either reverse lights or another 12V+
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 08:05 AM
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From: Gary,Indiana
Thanks guys for the input! And as I was looking at the 2 different diagrams I was wondering if that was the way it was going to go down as far as brake/turn signal wire. And as Al said that isn't going to work for my needs. So you guys confirmed what I was thinking.

Now like I had said the PO had installed this 6 pin and I really don't like the way he tapped into the wiring harness anyways. It is a huge wad of tape and it feels like he used them blue taps to do it. I can't stand them things! So I think for starts I'll just undo everything he had did and just wire it (6 pin) to suit my needs.

I'll be able to tie into the brake lights easy enough but I am wondering if there is constant power wire anywhere near the rear bumper? If so any idea what color? Is the middle wire of my 7 pin a constant power or only with key on? If not I'll run a wire from the front.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 11:21 AM
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Yes, Ed, there is actually a brake signal wire, unused down by the trailer wiring harness. And there is accessory or battery charge 12V there too, I'll have to look up the wire color, but I believe it is black with a pink tracer.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 12:50 PM
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From: Gary,Indiana
Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Yes, Ed, there is actually a brake signal wire, unused down by the trailer wiring harness. And there is accessory or battery charge 12V there too, I'll have to look up the wire color, but I believe it is black with a pink tracer.
Thanks Al I tried to send reps your way but told "pass them around" So if you get a chance this weekend to find what color code is that would be great. If not I can always just start probing wirers but I hate to have to poke holes in wires. In the long haul probing wires always leads to problems.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 01:14 PM
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Sorry the black with pink is the backup.


High mount brake light is light green, and should be capped off(not tied into the trailer wiring) near the bumper.

For the 12V you should have a Red for trailer battery feed,that isn't connected either. Or the Orange for the battery charge feed(this one would be Key on) from the relay.

Here's a pdf for a 1999 that should help.

Exterior Lamps_Drw1.pdf
 
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Old Oct 26, 2012 | 01:21 PM
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From: Gary,Indiana
Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Sorry the black with pink is the backup.


High mount brake light is light green, and should be capped off(not tied into the trailer wiring) near the bumper.

For the 12V you should have a Red for trailer battery feed,that isn't connected either. Or the Orange for the battery charge feed(this one would be Key on) from the relay.

Here's a pdf for a 1999 that should help.

Attachment 63323
You the man !! Thanks now I don't have to probe wires !!
 
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