I have an 04 Explorer. It has a class II towing package with a 4 pin flat trailer connector. Thanks to Steina. I spoke with a trailer dealer, 2 RV dealers and a Ford parts department yesterday and all were no help. Yep, remove the glove box and there was the 6 pin brake connection taped to the wiring harness, just like Steina said there would be. The flat 4 pin trailer connector harness runs across the back/top of the hitch and ends in a 8 pin plug/connector. Shouldn't I be able to unplug the connector from the 4 pin trailer outlet and replace it with a 7pin? The Ford dealer parts dept was usless. He basically said that all I can get from Ford is what came with it. Does anybody make a 7 pin outlet that will plug into the factory connection? Will I still need to pull other wires, ie..battery charge to trailer?

 

My F150 had a harness plug with 7-8 wires that ended up at the frame rail by the left rear tire. from there a 4 pin harness ran to the rear bumper. i figured out which two wires on the main harness i needed for brakes and 12 volt power and extended my own. I had checked on e-bay and there were wiring harness you could buy to replace the 4 pin rear harness and add a 6 or 7 pin rear connector. All the wires should be up front, but you might have to add a relay in the fuse box to get the rear brake controller to work.

 

you might send this guy a note and ask how it works

eBay Motors: Standard TRAILER WIRE CONNECTOR ford EXPLORER 91-02 01 (item 370038540566 end time May-01-08 07:06:40 PDT)

 

Steve. Thanks for the reply. To anyone else interested in this issue, I found the following a while ago in another forum. It answers my questions very well. Even has a part number for the 7-pin wiring harness. (its expensive)Summary; 02-05 Explorer Trailer Wiring - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations

 

JohnEboy -

Hope you get the 7-pin wiring installed OK, but here's some info for you in case you're not already aware of it: Even if you swap out your Class II receiver for a Class III/IV, your tow rating remains at 3500# (according to Ford). You'll still be without the 3.73 LS rear gears, and an engine oil cooler (if you have the V6).

Welcome to FTE!!!

Steve