Electrical Connector

[tdonoughue]

Went up yesterday to check on the boat and perform some minor maintenance, including inspecting the brakes on the trailer and bleeding them. While there, I discovered that my backup light pin on the connector is almost come off--hanging by a thread. Worse, I also found that someone stepped on the wire right behind the connector, biting through the insulation and probably through most of the wire at least.

Needless to say, it will need to all be replaced.

The trailer has the 5-pin flat connector (stock). That works well with the tractors they use to valet the boat. But my tow vehicle has a 7-blade circular connector. Usually I use a little pigtail converter to hook the boat to the vehicle.

Question: Now that I am rewiring the connector, is there an option (other than self-constructing a Y) for a connector that provides both a 5-pin flat and a 7-blade circular on the trailer side? Failing that, I will probably just replace the 5-pin and keep doing as I have been...

TIA,

 

[Julian]

Never seen something that does both...but I'm in the same boat....wanting to change to the round trailer side connector.

Why does your valet need to hook up the lights...is it only for the brake lockout? If so, perhaps leave a manual lockout key attached to the tongue?

 

[tdonoughue]

The valet only uses it for the brake lockout. The tractor has a single wire with one of the female connectors hooked to it. They just pop it on the end pin of the connector (which is why my end connector is now coming off--they don't have the full connector to keep everything in line).

I guess I could do the manual key (it never stays--it would need duct tape). Just doesn't seem like a very elegant solution...

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Keep the 5 pin on the trailer and carry a 5 pin to 7 pin in your truck. That's what I do.

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/TR20141.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKEAiAmaanBRCIt4364e2d6yUSJAA9VXTUcfmj0EnwyhP3g3QYt-js5lQRwK0DgyaqEgp9mwv5NRoCexTw_wcB

 

[tdonoughue]

Yes, that is what I do presently. Just looking (in vein?) to see if there was a way to eliminate one more thing to forget when towing.

(Yes, I keep it in the vehicle, which is the wife's. Wife could care less about towing, and there is always a 50% chance she took it out and forgot to mention that she conveniently put it behind the ladder under a tarp so that she could fit a plant or something in its spot...)

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Yes, that is what I do presently. Just looking (in vein?) to see if there was a way to eliminate one more thing to forget when towing.

(Yes, I keep it in the vehicle, which is the wife's. Wife could care less about towing, and there is always a 50% chance she took it out and forgot to mention that she conveniently put it behind the ladder under a tarp so that she could fit a plant or something in its spot...)

Lol! Been there!

Maybe it would be simple to add a 5 pin plug on the tow vehicle?

 

[tdonoughue]

Maybe it would be simple to add a 5 pin plug on the tow vehicle?

Yeah, that is a good idea. Gonna look into that... Thanks.

 

[KXCam22]

I cut my 5 pin off and put on a 7 pin before I hooked my new boat to my truck. It is a more universal connector where I live. Not many 5 pins around. Cam.

 

[dbrunone]

Why are you messing with this? Just get the connector that murf n surf linked. Leave it attached to the boat if you are worried about losing it. This is a cheap and reliable way to go, and you dont sacrifice the 5 pin connector if you ever need it.