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Old 06-11-2020, 08:11 AM   #1
Govols
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4 pin to 7 pin connection

Not sure of this is the right forum but here goes.
I have a 2018 ram 3500 tradesman, 2018 MHC/HM345RL and a 5x10 trailer. Everything works on the 5er when plugged into the truck bed 7 pin. The problem is the 7 pin plug when connecting the trailer. 4 pin works fine, all lights and turn signals work. But when i connect the 4 pin plug to a 7 pin adapter nothing works on the trailer. My friend has an older chevy truck and it works fine with the 7 pin. I have 2 adapters.....4 pin to 4 pin and a 4 pin to 7 pin....neither work on my truck. Had it checked by dealer last week and they said the truck plug checked out fine. So what could be the problem? Pics attached.
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Old 06-11-2020, 08:12 AM   #2
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Its the 7 pin on the back of the truck thats the problem. My post made it seem like the other one.....sorry!
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Old 06-11-2020, 11:35 AM   #3
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So let’s clarify: when the utility trailer is plugged into the flat-4 on the bumper, the lights work, but if you plug the flat-4 into the RV-7 adapter and plug that into the bumper 7 pin port it does nothing. Is that correct?

If you plug the 5er into the 7 pin on the bumper, does anything work? If you plug the flat-4 into the 7-pin adapter and then into the truck bed 7 pin port does it work there?
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Old 06-11-2020, 12:29 PM   #4
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Edit out this post. I thought this was a 'trailer to rear of 5v'er' connection problem.
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Old 06-11-2020, 01:18 PM   #5
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Put a different connector on your truck; they have them for 4 AND 7 pin; my connector has both 4 and 7 and a 2 pin out.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...iABEgLAGfD_BwE
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Old 06-11-2020, 02:08 PM   #6
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Why not just use the 4 pin connector on the truck? It has both.
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Old 06-11-2020, 05:14 PM   #7
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Thanks for the replies! I hooked up the 5er to the bumper 7 pin and it works fine so that tells me there is something from the trailer to the pin. There is a 4 pin for the lights that ends about a foot behind the hitch ball with another wire connected to that and goes to the truck. It has a ground wire pigtailed and attached to the trailer. Do i need that separate ground wire? And what would make the same 7 pin connector work on my frends truck nust fine but not on my truck? I use the 4 pin for the trailer when i use it but this is completely baffling me! I guess i have to much time on my hands with the covid stay at home.....
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Old 06-11-2020, 05:18 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge View Post
Put a different connector on your truck; they have them for 4 AND 7 pin; my connector has both 4 and 7 and a 2 pin out.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...iABEgLAGfD_BwE
So that plugs into the existing pin on the truck and it will operate the trailer lights?
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Old 06-11-2020, 08:02 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Govols View Post
So that plugs into the existing pin on the truck and it will operate the trailer lights?
You buy these type outlets specifically for your truck year, make and model and they are pretty much plug n play.
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Old 06-11-2020, 09:37 PM   #10
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I really don’t understand your issue the four pin on the bumper works why deal with an adapter. If the 7 pin at the bumper works with the 5er, write it off to a smart connection.
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Old 06-12-2020, 06:02 AM   #11
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That's my thoughts as well. If the utility trailer lights work when you plug them into the 4 pin connector on the truck and the fifth wheel works when you plug it into the 7 pin connector on the truck, then the truck is working as it should.

There's no need for a "converter plug" to use either trailer.

Trying to "make it work with something that's not needed is sort of like having a phillips screwdriver, a flat screwdriver and a "2 way phillips/flat" bit that won't fit either screwdriver, but you want to make it plug into either or both of the operational screwdrivers.

Put that 7pin:4pin adapter plug in a plastic bag and store it in the glove compartment and use the truck's connectors for both the fifth wheel and the utility trailer. No need for an adapter and no need to troubleshoot what's working the way it's designed to work.....
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Old 06-12-2020, 06:22 AM   #12
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I concur. I wasn't going to comment but.... looking at that mess of spaghetti wiring, wire nuts and tape in picture #7 I just think that mess needs to be addressed.
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Old 06-13-2020, 07:24 AM   #13
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Thanks for the info. I'm new to all this and thought i had a problem when i didn't. Flybouy....i agree with the mess of wires......should i start from scratch and replace from the trailer to the plug? Do i need the separate ground wire pig tailed to the trailer?
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Old 06-13-2020, 02:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Govols View Post
Thanks for the info. I'm new to all this and thought i had a problem when i didn't. Flybouy....i agree with the mess of wires......should i start from scratch and replace from the trailer to the plug? Do i need the separate ground wire pig tailed to the trailer?
You don't need a "seperate" ground, but simply attach the white wire to the frame. Here's a link on the color code https://www.etrailer.com/question-5059.html. You can get a 5' plug and cord for under $10 or a longer one for a few dollars more.
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