Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?'s

[Anonymous Poster]

Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

My truck is a 1994 Standard cab Dodge Diesel.
I'm wanting to get a 16' trailer with brakes to haul tractor around.

I have it wired for a 4 flat plug now. So I'm adding a 6 round, and 7 rv round to the rear.

I just purchased a Tekonsha Sentinel for the controller,
and I also purschase tail lights bypass type relay box? that uses power from battery, and doesn't put drain on existing tail light system, since the truck is not wired for any trailer stuff. The 4 flat I installed I just tapped into the existing truck lights on the rear.

I purchased a Hoppy 4flat to 6round connector, and a
4 flat to 7rv connector (this way I can use my 4flat too)

I'm building this light project for maximum use i guess, just incase one day I pull a 3 axle trailer etc... so I got 10 guage wire for the 6 pole power wire, 10 ga trailer brake controller wire, and 10 gauge 7 rv recharge power wire. Using 30 amp fuses.

The manual says use 12 gauge wire minimum, but this seems to low for the long wire run from the battery?

Question 1: is on the controller wire, "use a 30amp resetable circuit breaker" I can't find anything locally for this, Lowes, Walmart, Autozone. Where can I order one online?

I don't mind using fuses, but this would be an extra nice thing to add if not expensive. Saves from having spare fuses all the time.

Question 2: Those of you that pull RV's and while driving the truck is charging the batteries, will 30 amps be enough?
I know some newer trucks have 40 amp fuses for this.

Question 3: Does the above look ok to you guys/gals that done this before, the proper wire size and fuse amperage? Are you all sodering your wires, or just crimping?

btw: i got 12ga wire for the brake controller power, brake cold, and ground. The trailer relay box light has 12 ga wire to power the lights, comes included.

Overall Wire -
12 ga for Brake Cont power
10 ga for Brake Cont trailer brakes - Blue wire
12 ga for Light Relay
10 ga for 6 round and 7 rv plug

Thanks, Sorry if this has been asked before.
John

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

You might want to try Radio Shack for the breaker. As far as wire size goes I think you are OK. I'm not sure what your nominal loads are. Use ohms law to figure what the voltage drop will be. 10ga SXL wire (49X27) has resistance of .0011 ohms per foot, 12ga (19X25) = .0017 ohms per foot, 14ga (19X27) = .0027 ohms. Remember to calculate the return path also

 

[jwstewar]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

Check an RV type store or maybe even a boat. But I know an RV dealer will carry them. If none are close check out Tom Raper RV in Richmond IN. Here is a link to their online catalog w/ the breakers they carry. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rvlifestyles.net/Catalog/parts.asp?id=7850000022907&subcatid=1400000013604&magic=D8XBVX0710140044527>Tom Raper Circuit Breakers</A>

BTW, I've got just the factory 7 Round RV on my Silverado from the factory and bought adapters to change it to 4 Flat for my little 2 wheel trailer and to the 6 Round for when I'm pulling a horse trailer. Sure does look better on the back of the truck not having all of the plugs hanging there.

Hope this helps,
Jim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

For your purposes, 10 -v- 12 wire isn't that major of a consideration, since you will not be loading the wire constantly. The number of amps a wire can carry is largely determined by the ability of the wire to discipate heat that is built up carrying electrons along the wire. #10 copper wire can easily carry 100 amps if it's strung in openair between a pair of insulators.
There are 2 varietys of circuit breakers available for vehicles, the ones that plug directly into the vehicle's fuse block, and the "ice cube" breakers with 2 stud connectors.
One of the better sources for trailer parts and information is www.championtrailers.com

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

<font color=blue>Question 1: is on the controller wire, "use a 30amp resetable circuit breaker" I can't find anything locally for this, Lowes, Walmart, Autozone. Where can I order one online?</font color=blue>

When you buy the controller I've found most vendors insist you buy the circuit breaker or you have no warranty on the controller.

You might try U Haul. They install hitches and controllers so they have to have the circuit breakers.

I use connectors for splicing the wires. I do use a dab of silicone sealant to help control corrosion. A dab will do you.

 

[Inspector507]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

Advance Auto Parts Breaker (see attached)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

I get all my electrical stuff at www.delcity.net.

Auto reset circuit breakers are available from them for less than a few bucks each.

I did the exact same thing you are doing a while back when I got my 16ft tandem trailer. I use the 6 pin connector attached to the receiver - it has an adapter that connects back to the 4 pin flat connector that I had installed years ago for smaller trailers.

If I use the big trailer, I use the receiver hitch (2" ball) and the 6 pin connector. For the small trailer I use the bumper hitch (1 7/8" ball) and just unplug the 4 pin connector/adapter from the 6 pin unit. Takes longer to describe it than to do it.

I installed the circuit breaker right by the battery and used 12 ga wire from the + lead to the breaker, then to the controller. I used 12 ga to get from the controller to the 6 pin connector too. Absolutely no problems at all.

I have the same controller as you do and I think it's a great unit for the money.

Last thing I did was to use a relay and switch to connect 2 small 55w halogen driving lights to the receiver, below the bumper. Makes it a breeze to see where you are backing up at night, especially hooking up stuff after a long day tractoring!

 

[RobertN]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

Here is my take on you wiring project. I did the same thing on my old '89 Ford F250. My '01 Dodge was pre-wired for 7 round RV(I have camper/tow package), but I still had to add a brake controller.

First, run ALL the wires needed to completely populate you 7 wire RV connector(You mentioned this, but just to stress). The 7-wire RV will give you all hookups you could ever need on a pickup truck. Both of my trailers, horse and 16' flatbed, have the 7-wire connector.

You don't need three connectors on the back of your truck. I have a 6 round, 4 flat , and 4 round adapter in the rear underseat storage. I also have a 7 round RV plug with just wires, so I can adapt to anything in the field. remember, if you have three connectors on the back of the truck, that's three sets of terminal that can get dirty and corroded. You also have to have three branches of wires splitting off to the connecters.

With the charge line, I used it for my old camper, and have been wanting to add a small water pump/tank/shower head on the horse trailer for after trail cleanup. The horse trailer has backup lights too, so I hooked up all 7 connections.

I got my breakers from a local RV repair/parts shop. They were pretty cheap.

For the Ford, I put a selenoid on the charge line. When the truck was running, I could charge camper batteries. When the truck was off, there was no drain on the truck battery. For the Dodge, I got an electronic battery isolator, but have not installed it yet, since my '87 Lance camper would not fit the new Dodge bed(just been too lazy/busy). For the Ford, the battery isolator was just a Ford start selenoid; they are used in all kinds of applications. It had battery in, battery out, and the trigger line.

How much power you need will depend on your RV or utility needs. My camper worked fine with the 30A breaker. A daul battery 5th wheel might need the 40A. I'm not sure how my Dodge is fused; it's raining and I aint got shoes on... I'll look it up later and let you know.

Run the same size wire for your ground... The same current that goes in has to come out... If it goes in on 10 gauge, it should come out on 10 gauge.

Solder with heat shrink would be the best electrical connection.

Another poster mentioned backup lights. While you are under there, that's a great idea. I just had to replace a tail light lens from backing into a t-post in the dark and rain. Here's this big burly turbo diesel 4x4 posi 4.11 gear tough truck, with these totally useless backup lights. Whoever designed them should have to back up a hundred feet in a muddy construction site, in the dark, with heavy rain, over and over till they get the idea to add better backup lighting(Ford and Chevy aint no better either). While they're at it, the engineer should have to tie off 25 3-wire bails of alfalfa with those four silly in bed tie loops! Oh, that's another sopa box topic...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Wiring Trailer/Truck - 6 Round and 7 RV plug ?\'s

Thanks for everyones replies!
Super information! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

When in doubt, ask TBN'ners! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I think I got everything I need, never thought about the solenoid idea, good idea. No RV camper yet! Maybe one of these days, but I do noticed alot of trailers and new trucks come with the 7 RV plug standard now with the trailer hitch option.

Inspector507, I found the resetable circuit breakers at Advanced auto Parts! Sweeet! Thanks for letting me know. got one 20amp for the light converter, a 30amp for the brake controller, and 30 amp for the RV charger wire. They were $2.84 each. Jim, thanks for the links to the picture, I never knew they looked like that! Wroughtn_harv I did check out an RV place $4.95 a shot /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif yikes... Will do the silicone thing thanks!

I got those 4 flat to 6/7 adapters off of Ebay, they were only $5.00 + $4.00 shipping! I thought it was a bargain, compared to paying $23 in the store, plus tax. I think i got lucky cause no one bid on them.

Thus started the a simple idea, of oh now i need a brake controller, now i need a light converter, now i need wire, fuses... no wait circuit resetable.... hmm... Need a trailer now to use all this stuff, and tow around the tractor! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif Need More More More heehee Actually I was gonna help my father inlaw tow there cattle, possibly!

While I was at the Advanced Auto parts, picked up a 3 light bar w/small red lights to mount under the tail gate, thought this would be a nice safety addition, add some lights to the running boards too, cab lights would be nifty too, wonder if i could slip that by the wife. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Robert, 10 ga in and out... good idea... I know the controller is 12 gauge, but i'll use 10 gauge anyways. I got a 500' spool at Lowes for $35. I guess not making it pretty with all the colors matching wire is ok /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif If i got the wire by the foot, it was $1.43 can you believe that? A single color 30ft run would be $42. Lowes sure makes the $$ there on the wire rack.

Wild how one little idea turns into a expanded project /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
I love it though! Maybe I'll be able to work on it this weekend.

After I get this done, will have to work on the backup lights! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

John