Since trailers are towed by secondary vehicles like a car or truck, trailer wiring is used to connect to the trailer's tail lights, brake signals, and turn signals. You can easily plug it into the existing factory wiring on your vehicle or set up a new one. Besides turn and brake signals, the wires also provide ground connection and are color-coded for easy installation. But buying trailer wiring is not as easy as it sounds, and there are several properties you need to consider, especially if changing or installing the wiring for the first time.
Four Pin Vs. Seven Pin Trailer Wiring
When buying trailer wiring, buyers are likely to come across two options – four-pin or seven-pin wiring. Initially, you could only find the standard four-pin wiring, but now more people are switching to seven-way trailer wiring. As you can easily tell, the main difference between the two is the wire count – the functions increase along with the number of wires. In a four-way connector, there are wires for ground connection, left and right turns, and tail lights where brake lights are combined with turn lights. In contrast, a seven-way connector has a separate brake indicator plus reverse and aux power lights.
Choose High-Quality Wiring
Even though the wiring is an internal part of a vehicle (or trailer), one should always choose premium quality wires for extended use and proper functioning. The first thing to do is select heavy-duty gauge wires made with pure copper conductors as it is far more durable and long-lasting. Going with insulated, PVC jacketed, and weather-resistant wires is a better choice as it generates less heat, works great under extreme temperatures, and offers added protection. You can even go with bonded loop wires as they are easier to connect with your vehicle's existing wiring system.
Check the Size and Thickness
While the main wires are attached to a connector, the entire cable is supposed to spread across the trailer based on how you position the wiring – which is why you need to pick the right size. The length you select majorly depends on your trailer's size, and it is better to go with a slightly bigger size for hassle-free installation. You can either choose a standard size or select one as per your requirement. It may be hard to find the wire's thickness in specifications, but doing so is recommended as sometimes it can be challenging to install thick ones.
Categories Simillar to Trailer Wiring includes Trailer Springs, Trailer Fenders and Trailer Stands