Chrysler 300 Grills
Posi-Lock or crimp connectors can be used without soldering, but aren't weathertight for long-term use.
A simple adapter can make 5-, 6- and 7-pin connectors work with other styles of connectors.Separate But Not Equal. A few vehicles use separate lamps for the brake and the turn-signal functions of the rear lights. That's fine--until you realize the trailer uses a single 2-filament bulb for all three functions. Adding another taillamp housing to the trailer is one option, but a simpler solution exists. Your trailer-rental place, and most auto parts stores, sell simple electronic adapters that will combine the brake-lamp and turn-signal functions. It installs in the harness just before the trailer connector.
Other Circuits
Some larger trailers have a separate circuit for clearance or marker lights, which are separate from the running lights in the taillamp assemblies. You may need to add another circuit to handle them. If you try to wire them in parallel with the customary pair of running lamps, you may overload the vehicle's headlamp switch--so you'll need to add a relay to handle the extra current.
There also may be a 12-volt circuit for running lights inside the trailer or for charging the trailer battery in the case of a travel trailer. This circuit probably will be hot whenever the engine is running, but it may be controlled by a switch on the dash. Be sure the wires are of a gauge large enough to handle the load (a fully discharged deep-cycle trailer storage battery may draw 20 or more amps when you start the engine). The use of a battery isolator is strongly recommended. This will prevent discharging the vehicle battery from the trailer, and prevent surges of current from overcooking the wiring or blowing a fuse.
Whoa, Nellie
This leads to the concept of electric trailer brakes. These are actuated by a controller in the vehicle that increases the voltage to the brakes proportional to the vehicle's deceleration. This requires a wire from the controller to the trailer brake. (This is why some connectors have as many as seven pins, to make provisions for the multiple circuits.) Use 12-ga. wire for this circuit. If you have electric trailer brakes, there must be an auxiliary battery and a breakaway switch in the circuit to slow the trailer if it comes loose from the hitch.
Chrysler 300 Grills
Posi-Lock or crimp connectors can be used without soldering, but aren't weathertight for long-term use.
A simple adapter can make 5-, 6- and 7-pin connectors work with other styles of connectors.Separate But Not Equal. A few vehicles use separate lamps for the brake and the turn-signal functions of the rear lights. That's fine--until you realize the trailer uses a single 2-filament bulb for all three functions. Adding another taillamp housing to the trailer is one option, but a simpler solution exists. Your trailer-rental place, and most auto parts stores, sell simple electronic adapters that will combine the brake-lamp and turn-signal functions. It installs in the harness just before the trailer connector.
Other Circuits
Some larger trailers have a separate circuit for clearance or marker lights, which are separate from the running lights in the taillamp assemblies. You may need to add another circuit to handle them. If you try to wire them in parallel with the customary pair of running lamps, you may overload the vehicle's headlamp switch--so you'll need to add a relay to handle the extra current.
There also may be a 12-volt circuit for running lights inside the trailer or for charging the trailer battery in the case of a travel trailer. This circuit probably will be hot whenever the engine is running, but it may be controlled by a switch on the dash. Be sure the wires are of a gauge large enough to handle the load (a fully discharged deep-cycle trailer storage battery may draw 20 or more amps when you start the engine). The use of a battery isolator is strongly recommended. This will prevent discharging the vehicle battery from the trailer, and prevent surges of current from overcooking the wiring or blowing a fuse.
Whoa, Nellie
This leads to the concept of electric trailer brakes. These are actuated by a controller in the vehicle that increases the voltage to the brakes proportional to the vehicle's deceleration. This requires a wire from the controller to the trailer brake. (This is why some connectors have as many as seven pins, to make provisions for the multiple circuits.) Use 12-ga. wire for this circuit. If you have electric trailer brakes, there must be an auxiliary battery and a breakaway switch in the circuit to slow the trailer if it comes loose from the hitch.
Chrysler 300 Grills
