Trailer wire extension? Ok to use?

[Granth77]

So, we just bought our first pop up camper last weekend. However, since Toyota likes to put the wire plug out in BFE, I need to extend my trailer wire.

I've seen 7 pin to 7 pin extension harnesses, which would be the easiest route. Anyone ever used these? Any risk associated with them? I know it's probably a dumb question, but I'm new to pulling a trailer, so it's all a learning experience for me.

Thanks,
Grant

 

[Hoju]

I bought something similar to this:

Tow Ready® 118664 - 7-Way U.S. Car and Trailer End Cable Extension Connector

It does the trick, but it is much longer than necessary. I just secured the excess with zip ties to the trailer so it doesn't risk the chance of dragging or becoming unplugged through vibration. My only advice would be to make sure you leave enough slack in line to handle any incline/declines.

 

[BobsTrail]

Looks quick and easy, probably a good way to go. If you are OK with electrical work I would make my own extension to the trailer wiring and have two less connectors in the line. I would solder the connections (no crimps) and cover it with shrink tubing.

 

[badhabits]

This is what I use.
Amazon.com : Conntek 7-Pin 5Th Wheel Trailer Extension Cord (4-Feet) : Boating Shore Power Cords : Sports & Outdoors

 

[Granth77]

Thanks for the quick responses! I think I'll go with the Conntek extension cord. I wish they had a 2 ft option, but I'll just wrap it up so it doesn't drag.

I would love to make my own, but my electrical skills are lacking (electricity is just one of the few things that scares the hell out of me!)

Again, thanks for the help!

 

[Hoju]

Thanks for the quick responses! I think I'll go with the Conntek extension cord. I wish they had a 2 ft option, but I'll just wrap it up so it doesn't drag.

I would love to make my own, but my electrical skills are lacking (electricity is just one of the few things that scares the hell out of me!)

Again, thanks for the help!

I was going to go the route of making one myself until I found that the parts alone were way more expensive than buying a pre fab'd unit. Sure it would be a slightly cleaner setup, but really, not anywhere worth the extra cost plus labor.

 

[moneypit]

Stretchable trailer cable

Have used this for years. Very durable.

Hopkins Heavy-Duty Trailer Coiled Wire Adapter for 7-Way to 4-Wire Flat Hopkins Wiring HM47065

 

[Hoju]

Have used this for years. Very durable.

Hopkins Heavy-Duty Trailer Coiled Wire Adapter for 7-Way to 4-Wire Flat Hopkins Wiring HM47065

I have the exact same one for my 7 to 4 pin, and its great, however I don't think they make a 7 pin to 7 pin extension.

 

[cleveland48]

Glad I found this thread ! Because none of my trailers have wires anywhere long enough to reach the plug in. I love this site! I wonder why Toyota decided the put them way over there in the first place ?

 

[fubar]

Had the same problem. Addressed it 2 other ways after looking at the above solutions.

1) Bought a shorter draw bar. 2" helped a lot.

2) Loosened the connector for the wire and pulled another few inches out of the frame.

The combo solved the issue. Cost $15.

YMMV

 

[Granth77]

I would love to do it that cheaply but 1.) I have the shortest insert that will still allow me to open my tailgate, and 2.) My wiring has no room left to stretch.

 

[fubar]

I would love to do it that cheaply but 1.) I have the shortest insert that will still allow me to open my tailgate, and 2.) My wiring has no room left to stretch.

Well Dang. Thought I'd mention it tho...

 

[barryhiram]

So, we just bought our first pop up camper last weekend. However, since Toyota likes to put the wire plug out in BFE, I need to extend my trailer wire.

I've seen 7 pin to 7 pin extension harnesses, which would be the easiest route. Anyone ever used these? Any risk associated with them? I know it's probably a dumb question, but I'm new to pulling a trailer, so it's all a learning experience for me.

Thanks,
Grant

Never understood why Toyota decided to mount the trailer plug where they did, what were they thinking????? Having to add a plug extension in order to hook up any trailer is kind of ridicules, don’t you think?

Fist time hooking trailer to truck I realized this was going to be a problem, having to kneel down to plug in harness was going to be a pain in the arss, especially in the rain or on a dirt parking lot or road. As many here have pointed out, extension harnesses are available, but I wasn’t keen on routing/looping extension harness closer to tongue. For me, it would look like crap (most important…..lol), with a possibly of dragging harness while towing, loosing trailer lights, and brake functions.

After lying on my back, staring at Toyota’s 7/4 pin plug to formulate a plan, to my surprise, they use the same connector as the newer OEM Ford & Chevy trailer plugs. Yes, the factory wiring harness just unplugs from the back of 7/4 housing. At that point I unbolted the factory trailer plug from frame, unclipped harness retainer clips, and unplugged the two gray factory plugs to remove from vehicle (very easy to do).

Took the harness down to the local auto parts store to see what I could match up. Low and behold found the perfect plug, Hopkins Endurance 7 RV OEM Replacement Plug part #40940. Then test fit my harness to the new plug, perfect fit! Then found a mounting bracket, Hopkins 7 RV Blade Bracket part #48615.


Next, it was time to extend factory harness, untapped and opened wire loom to expose wires. Then proceeded to cut wires (recommend staggering cuts every 1” or so to prevent adding extra bulk to the harness), then spliced extension wires (roughly 12-15” in length) with solder and heat shrink tubing to prevent corrosion as [MENTION=85467]BobsTrail[/MENTION] mentioned. Remember to use same gauge wires with same color whenever possible. Rewrapped harness in loom, added some additional loom to cover extension, then retaped, looks factory.


Time to position new bracket, it’s a tight fit with my spare (285x70x17 Nitto), but I was able to place it so cover would open high enough to allow trailer plug to slide in/out easily. Also needed to check that receiver lock was able to insert and remove without hitting plug cover. I was able to achieve this without having to cut the bumper cover! Marked bracket mounting holes, drilled two holes, installed screws, and then installed new plug. Added die electric grease to all three connectors, inserted harness into 7 pin trailer plug, routed harness (following how the factory harness was initially run) back to two gray factory connectors, then tied harness to frame with wire ties……looks factory.


Then tested each pin at the 7 pin plug with a volt meter to verify proper operation i.e. left turn, right turn, parking light, brake output, and ground. Everything confirmed correct. Time to connect trailer, all functions worked properly. Cost for plug and bracket was around $25 ($18.38 with free Prime shipping Amazon.com: Hopkins 40940 Endurance Quick-Install 7-Blade Connector: Automotive), I had wire and loom, and about an hour of my time once I figured it out. It’s worked out awesome, if it’s raining when hooking up trailer, just open the tailgate and be shielded from getting wet. And no more getting under vehicle to plug in a damn harness, Toyota take note, this is how it should be!


Good luck which ever way you decide to go!

 

[Granth77]

Barryhiram, very nice! I thought about moving the plug, but again, messing with wiring makes me nervous. So, I opted for the extension cord and bought it from Amazon.

Very nice install, though. Thanks for sharing!

 

[T4R_Finally]

I think the location of the trailer wire plugs is the only thing I have ever really had a complaint about on my 4Runner (since upgrading to Bilsteins and getting ride of the nose dive). Not only too far away for most trailer wires, they put it at a downward angle. So I have to literally lay on the ground to get the wires plugged in. As for the extensions, definitely the way to go. I borrow my neighbors cargo trailer all the time to haul stuff and I keep a little container in the back of my 4Runner that has the hitch, the wire extension, and the trailer coupling pin. I bought one of those pins that has the loop on it and that makes a nice place to route the trailer wiring with the extension through to keep the longer wire from dragging the pavement.

 

[Hoju]

Never understood why Toyota decided to mount the trailer plug where they did, what were they thinking????? Having to add a plug extension in order to hook up any trailer is kind of ridicules, don’t you think?

Fist time hooking trailer to truck I realized this was going to be a problem, having to kneel down to plug in harness was going to be a pain in the arss, especially in the rain or on a dirt parking lot or road. As many here have pointed out, extension harnesses are available, but I wasn’t keen on routing/looping extension harness closer to tongue. For me, it would look like crap (most important…..lol), with a possibly of dragging harness while towing, loosing trailer lights, and brake functions.

After lying on my back, staring at Toyota’s 7/4 pin plug to formulate a plan, to my surprise, they use the same connector as the newer OEM Ford & Chevy trailer plugs. Yes, the factory wiring harness just unplugs from the back of 7/4 housing. At that point I unbolted the factory trailer plug from frame, unclipped harness retainer clips, and unplugged the two gray factory plugs to remove from vehicle (very easy to do).

Took the harness down to the local auto parts store to see what I could match up. Low and behold found the perfect plug, Hopkins Endurance 7 RV OEM Replacement Plug part #40940. Then test fit my harness to the new plug, perfect fit! Then found a mounting bracket, Hopkins 7 RV Blade Bracket part #48615.
View attachment 156918View attachment 156919

Next, it was time to extend factory harness, untapped and opened wire loom to expose wires. Then proceeded to cut wires (recommend staggering cuts every 1” or so to prevent adding extra bulk to the harness), then spliced extension wires (roughly 12-15” in length) with solder and heat shrink tubing to prevent corrosion as [MENTION=85467]BobsTrail[/MENTION] mentioned. Remember to use same gauge wires with same color whenever possible. Rewrapped harness in loom, added some additional loom to cover extension, then retaped, looks factory.
View attachment 156920

Time to position new bracket, it’s a tight fit with my spare (285x70x17 Nitto), but I was able to place it so cover would open high enough to allow trailer plug to slide in/out easily. Also needed to check that receiver lock was able to insert and remove without hitting plug cover. I was able to achieve this without having to cut the bumper cover! Marked bracket mounting holes, drilled two holes, installed screws, and then installed new plug. Added die electric grease to all three connectors, inserted harness into 7 pin trailer plug, routed harness (following how the factory harness was initially run) back to two gray factory connectors, then tied harness to frame with wire ties……looks factory.
View attachment 156921

Then tested each pin at the 7 pin plug with a volt meter to verify proper operation i.e. left turn, right turn, parking light, brake output, and ground. Everything confirmed correct. Time to connect trailer, all functions worked properly. Cost for plug and bracket was around $25 ($18.38 with free Prime shipping Amazon.com: Hopkins 40940 Endurance Quick-Install 7-Blade Connector: Automotive), I had wire and loom, and about an hour of my time once I figured it out. It’s worked out awesome, if it’s raining when hooking up trailer, just open the tailgate and be shielded from getting wet. And no more getting under vehicle to plug in a damn harness, Toyota take note, this is how it should be!
View attachment 156922View attachment 156923

Good luck which ever way you decide to go!

Really digging the trailer hitch plug. Is it custom or where can it be found?

 

[barryhiram]

Really digging the trailer hitch plug. Is it custom or where can it be found?

Thanks man. Yeah it's custom, had a guy on here make the devil horn, but several members had problems after paying for items and never receiving them. Don't want to mention any names (MetalMiller), but would not recommend his services. Too bad, he made some pretty cool stuff. Receiver plug I made, then had it powder coated.

Sorry for the thread hijack Granth77.

 

[barryhiram]

I think the location of the trailer wire plugs is the only thing I have ever really had a complaint about on my 4Runner (since upgrading to Bilsteins and getting ride of the nose dive).

Agreed!