Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue

   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue #11  
I have a jumper harness to connect my car trailer. Put a 7-way receptacle on the trailer. This way, the connector isn't in the weather all the time. Plus, it's a theft deterent! Have wires crossed from normal, so a straight jumper won't work! Makes it easier to move with the tractor without wiring in the way. Just another look at another way to wire a trailer.
 
   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue #12  
I double checked resistance between the plug contacts for ground & brakes. You would expect to see one ohm or less (1/4 the value for a single magnet). What I found is that I sometimes got OL (no continuity) even with the side of the probe pins making contact with the brass contact. Moving the probe pins around, pressing deeper, would then produce a reasonable value (between 1 & 0.8 ohms) I'm starting to think the plug is faulty & the contacts are not always properly connected to the cable wire. A new plug is starting to look like the way to go.
Check the splice area at the brakes and axle(s) for corrosion, damage, etc
 
   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue
  • Thread Starter
#13  
Picked up a plug last night & put it on today.

I cut off the old one with enough length that I could match wire color with contact via the multi-meter. (no surprise, the blue brake line had sporadic continuity)
PXL_20240908_151053670[1].jpg


Stripped back insulation & trimmed wires in cable after threading through new plug body.


PXL_20240908_142415702[1].jpg


Crimped on ring terminals after adding heat shrink
PXL_20240908_143136142[1].jpg


Torched the heat shrink after all rings installed

PXL_20240908_143824662[1].jpg


Installed wires on plug contacts after checking color placement via the old plug. Turned out the color pattern was as expected, but better to check & be sure.
PXL_20240908_150458655[1].jpg


Reassembled the plug. Just for fun, placed jumper clips loosely in GND + brake contact locations. MM read 0.8 ohms, so brake connection looks good!
PXL_20240908_151432244[1].jpg



Have to wait for the wife to get back so I can test with trailer plugged into truck. Don't want to take it down off the jacks until I know the job is done. May also do a brake adjustment while up.
 
   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue
  • Thread Starter
#14  
Test went well & I did a slight adjustment on the brakes. Did a road test checking response to different controller settings to find the "empty trailer" number. Should be all good for the next usage.
 
   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue #15  
glad you got it resolved
 
   / Need Reality Check on Trailer Wiring Issue #16  
ive been having issues with my 1994 dodge diesel ram trailer plug. its a combination 7 pin with the lower 4 pin. i think the mag chloride has eaten it again. this one is only 3 years since it was replaced.

i fixed it the old fashioned way. i bought a 2020 F150 to replace it.

its my work truck and the old 30yo one was giving me too many issues. that, and i was told by my mechanic the old girl is worth between 8 & 10 grand on facebook marketplace. they love that engine.
 

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