Trailer plug adapter

[BWSwede]

Hello all,

When I haul my tractor with my rear finish mower attached the mower hangs over the back of the trailer enough that you can't see my tail lights unless you are a long way behind me. I am thinking of buying some magnetic mount tail lights (like tow trucks use) to mount on the deck of the mower to keep from being rear ended and to be lawful when hauling at night.

I currently have a 7 pin connector between the truck and trailer. I am looking for an adapter that will plug into my 7 pin truck receptacle and on the other end have a 7 pin receptacle for the trailer and a 4 flat receptacle for the auxiliary lights. I have been looking around but haven't found anything. Anybody using something like this or know where I could possibly get one? (I am trying not to splice into my wires.)

TIA,
BWSwede

 

[M5farms]

Check uhaul they used to sell a replacement light bulb with a pig tail attached the you ran out from under the lens cover to plug in external lights

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would just tap off the trailers tail lights and install either a 4 pin flat or another 7 pin.

You can buy magnetic trailer lights with wiring to a 4 pin plug at Harbor Freight for $15 or less. I have had a set for 10 years that work very well.

 

[civilian]

When I built may sailboat trailer, I installed a car/truck receptacle at the back of the trailer. Its purpose was to have a place to hook up a temporary light for the mast when trailerin at night. Works great. its always there when needed. Light stays in trailer box until needed.

Also etrailer.com has at truck plug that has a 7 pin RV and a 4 pin all in one. you could also make that into an adapter cord, add a male plug to go into tow vehicle, and have female ends for trailer lights and extra mower night light. Jon

 

[Xfaxman]

I ordered mine with a receiver hitch and a 7 pin plug.

I later moved the connector up out of harm's way. :thumbsup:

It would be easy to add a connector on the back for magnetic lights.

 

[BWSwede]

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I looked some more at adapters thinking I might be able to find two adapters placed in series that might accomplish what I am after but no such luck. I really like the last idea presented by Xfaxman. I think I'll take a look to see how accessible my wiring is at the back of the trailer. If it is I may just tap into it there instead of at the truck and mount a 4 flat plug at the back of the trailer.

What I also want are back up lights on the trailer, but that is another project for another time.

Thanks again,
BWSwede

 

[Looking4new]

Xfaxmans' idea is about the best I have seen. With another 7 pin plug at the rear adding back up lights is a matter of mounting the lights and plugging into the connector. 7 wire cable is available at most automotive stores that supply trucking companies.

 

[scdeerslayer]

New trucks are coming with a 7 pin plug and a 4 pin plug combo. Maybe you could find one to put on your truck? Other than that you'll probably have to make an adapter. Just to keep things simple, and wire length shorter, the plug at the back of the trailer is probably the best idea.

As far as backup lights, that shouldn't be too hard once you get the correct wire from your plug. I believe it's the center pin. You'd think the center pin would be ground but it's not.

 

[aczlan]

New trucks are coming with a 7 pin plug and a 4 pin plug combo. Maybe you could find one to put on your truck? Other than that you'll probably have to make an adapter. Just to keep things simple, and wire length shorter, the plug at the back of the trailer is probably the best idea.

If you have a Ford/Chevy/GM, there is a replacement socket for the vehicle side that has both a 7 pin and a 4 pin connector: Amazon.com: Hopkins 4955 Multi-Tow T-Connector Wiring Kit: Automotive
If you have a Chevy/GM, they also have a version that uses the original twist lock mount on the hitch (no drilling needed): Amazon.com: Hopkins 4 Endurance 7 Blade and 4 Flat Twist Mount Multi-Tow Connector: Automotive

Aaron Z

 

[George2615]

Xfaxmans' idea is about the best I have seen. With another 7 pin plug at the rear adding back up lights is a matter of mounting the lights and plugging into the connector. 7 wire cable is available at most automotive stores that supply trucking companies.

From looking at Xfaxman's trailer He must use that plug often for aux. lighting. The ramp support brackets are blocking the view of the taillights from the rear.

 

[civilian]

From looking at Xfaxman's trailer He must use that plug often for aux. lighting. The ramp support brackets are blocking the view of the taillights from the rear.

But if his ramps are slid towards the center of the trailer, the lights will be visible. Jon

 

[Xfaxman]

Never had to use aux lights. The second trailer's lights are visible.

And the ramps do slide over.

 

[George2615]

I agree that if the ramps are slid toward the center or flipped over completely the lights are visible. In the one pic posted they would not be visible if towed like that. I'm sure he must know that.

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, he does.

This is the second trailer that I hauled 6, 5x6 round bales on the 8'x16' deck.

It has tail lights.

This is what it was hooked onto.

Loading the seventh bale room for one more, About 11,000 pounds on the deck:

 

[civilian]

Yep, he does.

This is the second trailer that I hauled 6, 5x6 round bales on the 8'x16' deck.

It has tail lights.

View attachment 508365


This is what it was hooked onto.

Loading the seventh bale room for one more, About 11,000 pounds on the deck:

View attachment 508369

I am curious. Have you ever scaled individual axles when both trailers are loaded with bales? Dad pulls a fifth wheel camper plus a boat behind. I don't think he has ever scaled the axles out, but I know he has concerns on overloading the rear camper axle from the boat trailer tongue load. Jon

 

[Xfaxman]

No, that load is a little over ten feet wide, so I didn't want to drive it to town. It is a 14K trailer. I took some of the bales up to the scales at the Co-Op and they averaged 1,375 pounds. The heaviest bales that I weighed from that Blue Stem field were 1,450 pounds.

I only had to pull the double hay trailers about 2 miles on county roads to get home.

My 2006 2500HD GMC Duramax weighs 7300 pounds, front axle is 4100, rear axle is 3200. 14K trailer is 18' plus 4' pop-up dovetail and a metal deck. Empty weigh is 5000 pounds, 1000 on the ball, 4000 on the axles

This is the heaviest load that I have scaled the Bobcat V518 with forks and the 1.25 cubic yard, 7.5' wide bucket. Went across the scale at 24,940 total, truck and trailer. 12,640 on the deck, 3,440 on the ball, 14,200 on the axles. This was in September of 2006.