How can I install the flat four harness more securely? (1 Viewer)

[ntsqd]

I wasn't advocating that the OE's only supply 7 pins. I simply have had enough with failures of all of the other options and have decided to convert all of my rolling stock to 7 pin.

 

[se2000]

I don't see the problem with the 7 pin on any trailer. If someone doesn't know the capacity they are dangerous already.
If you will roll over in your grave for fear of that, put it in your will to rip off the connector and throw them in your coffin.
You can use a 4 pin on a surge brake 5 ton trailer, does that mean you can only carry 500 lbs? No.
I use the 4 pin whenever. some dielectric grease when new and every so often helps. And since they are so cheap, I just put another one on. It is easy, it is color coded.
I even made a 4 -7 pin adapter as I don't think anyone makes one.

 

[Living in the Past]

I don't see the problem with the 7 pin on any trailer. If someone doesn't know the capacity they are dangerous already.


You can use a 4 pin on a surge brake 5 ton trailer, does that mean you can only carry 500 lbs? No.



I even made a 4 -7 pin adapter as I don't think anyone makes one.

I too see no problem putting a seven pin plug on a light trailer. I already made that statement. Putting a seven pin plug on a vehicle not rated to tow heavy trailers is a different thing. I agree someone who doesn't know the capacity of what they can tow are dangerous. When they get out on a public road isn't only themselves who is in danger. So when the car manufacture puts a four pin plug on their vehicle and the owner who doesn't have a clue gets a education on tow ratings when he tries to buy a heavier trailer and finds out the plug doesn't fit. Some guys are going to just wire a seven and tow it anyway. Some other are either going to buy a heavier tow vehicle or a lighter trailer their vehicle can tow. If having different style plugs saves some people from getting killed is it a bad thing? It could be your family that get gets hit by the guy towing too big a trailer. I group these plugs in with air bags and ABS brakes. We all share the same road, problem there is no way to limit who can use them. I'm more afraid of what other drivers are going to do than anything else. Anything the industry can do to help make it safer I'm all for it.


Does anyone currently make a five ton trailer with only a four pin connector? I was talking with my neighbor yesterday who has older Tracker bass boat and trailer. It only had a five pin plug. He said the newer model now have the standard seven pin. It had the five pin for the reverse light. It use the reverse light wire to disable the surge brake while backing up. Seems electric brakes have problem working under water. I think you would find it interesting backing up a five ton trailer with surge brakes and only a four pin trailer plug.


So you made a four to seven pin adapter because you don't think anyone makes one. You ever wonder why that is? You can buy seven to four pin all day long. Hooking a lighter trailer up to a vehicle rated to tow a heavier trailer is not the issue. That is what the seven to four does. The four to seven would allows you to plug a heavier trailer into a lighter rated tow vehicle. I serious doubt anyone would make a simple straight plug to do this.

Is the four pin as good a design as the seven pin. I personally don't think so but because the wiring is sealed going into the plug I put it second. Since there is no IQ test required for buying a trailer the industry adapting a two plug design (light/heavy) for the general public and it helps saves some innocent lives I'm all for. But the norm today seems to be screw the next guy I only care about me, sad.

 

[se2000]

Yeah you can back up a surge trailer with a 4 pin plug. Done it many times.
By your logic, all trailers need a 7 pin and a break away box.
If someone sees a 7 pin and assumes that they can haul a dual axle heavy duty trailer with a micro car then you aren't safe on the road with them anyways.
A 7 pin doesn't guarantee a brake controller.

Maybe I live where every tow'er is smart enough as I have never heard of any accidents due to a too heavy trailer.
And all the pics of overloading or a sedan with a fiver strapped to it all seem to be out of the SW.

 

[ntsqd]

I get the sentiment, I just don't see the lighting plug or socket being much, if any, deterrent to poor judgements. Just isn't going to be effective in the big picture.

To the OP's question, I've found two light sockets that have a rigidly mounted flat-4, along with a 7 pin. One comes on late model Tundra's. The other, I *think* is a Hoppe's product.

 

[Corbet]

My personal solution below in the pics.

As for yours maybe something like this: http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/30601.html and http://www.etrailer.com/p-118137.html

 

[tclark]

The manufacturers put the 4 pin on their vehicles because it's cheap and it's common on smaller trailers, nothing more. And as has been stated, something being common rarely means it's the best. If someone is intent on towing a trailer bigger than they should they'll just buy an adapter or leave the dang things unplugged.