Trailer 7 pin cable ?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
Trailer 7 pin cable ?
The 7 pin cable on my travel trailer is coming out of the connector end . Looks like it was repaired once with electrical tape. My question is this ; is it better just to put a new plug on the end or replace the entire cable ? like this one from etrailer , https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Migh...NyN-QEzDFNK1wa or is there a better choice ?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
I can think of a couple different ways your cable is coming out of the connector. Can you provide a better description? Maybe a picture?
Based on what little I know from you post, my inclination would be to try and fix what's there rather than spending money to replace it.
Based on what little I know from you post, my inclination would be to try and fix what's there rather than spending money to replace it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
Sorry didn`t think to take a picture, The trailer itself is sitting about 100 miles from me on a friends property. i was there 2 weeks ago getting it ready for the summer when we noticed that the cable was coming out of the plug . went to check to see if the lights were working and had to jiggle the pin to get them to work. since i couldn`t see anyway to take the plug off . i thought either cut the wires and replace the plug or get a new harness all together. There is a junction box beneath the trailer the harness enters. . It will be at least 3 weeks before i can get up the again to fix it. Thanks for the answer.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
If the cable has plenty of extra length to it you could cut it off. Otherwise I would take it apart so you don't lose the length. If you take it apart, be sure to get a picture of it beforehand so you know which color wire goes to which prong.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
I `m not worried about matching the wires , Its more about what will hold up better ? I can get the harness with an 8ft length which i believe is plenty. Just don`t know how reliable a replacement plug is. For instance when i needed to fix the lights on my enclosed trailer a just bought an entire kit harness and lights together only a 4 pin but no trouble.Also buddies son is an electrician who rebuilds diesel hybrid locomotives for Norfolk Southern so i can get him f i run into trouble 
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From: Home Base Nebraska
Just buy a new cord end, it will have more contact area for the pins than the molded ones. The are color coded so they are easy fo replace but remember to disconnect the house batteries befor you cut off the old one to kill the 12v to the charging pin.
Denny
Denny
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
Thanks, I have the schematics for both the trailer and the truck so not worried about the wiring.
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Senior User
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Care to share the schematics?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
I will be glad too but i don`t have them here at home with me. They are in the trailer which is stored about 100 miles away. Hope to be there in about 2 weeks and i`ll try to bring them back and scan them in.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: N.W. Indiana
As I have rebuilt several for friends and my own, I only put a cord end (plug) on in an emergency. Replacing the entire cable may cost more, but the plug is usually built better with automation and factory molded on. Of all of the replacement plug brands I have used they all rely on a mechanical connection of screw terminals. They loosen over time and increase the maintenance quotient. Worse yet, they sometimes only show a sign of failure while being used. Several times, I have found terminals backed out. Also, because of the lack of strain relief on the individual wires, they break off after being manipulated during their normal use. With many connections that can fail from the controller to the brakes, the more I can eliminate for myself, the better off I am.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
I did replace the entire cable with this : https://www.online-led-store.com/7-w...-accepspwr0087 But haven`t had the trailer out since .
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
You will be happy.
I did the exact same repair with parts from etrailer. IMO, the replacement pigtail is a better repair than just replacing the ends as they are much more weather proof.
I did the exact same repair with parts from etrailer. IMO, the replacement pigtail is a better repair than just replacing the ends as they are much more weather proof.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pittsburgh
I don`t know if its an industry standard but the connection on the trailer were made in a 4 inch metal work box; ; sort of like would be used in a home for a junction box . Wires were spliced together using wire nuts . Is that common?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
Steve