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Hitch Receiver Wiring Harness - 7way?

Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 9:20 pm
by Marko Polo
Heya -

Total goober question. But I just added an awesome customized cargo carrier to the back of the van - mounted LED's and moved the plate to the back. Ran all the wiring and got it running on my truck. Switched it to the B-190 and find the 7-way to 4-way adapter doesn't seem to fit??

Am I missing something, not pushing hard enough, or is the B190 not a 7 way?

Thanks in advance. Happy trails!

Re: Hitch Receiver Wiring Harness - 7way?

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:20 am
by EricZ
The 7-way you're talking about is probably what I think of as a 7-way RV-style blade connector.
The 4-way is probably what is often called a "flat four" connector.
(These seem to be the two most common connector styles.)

My 1993 Airstream 190 came with a proprietary Ford trailer connector on the back. Adapters are available from the Ford plug to a flat-four.

Instead of using an adapter, I replaced the proprietary Ford connector with a 7-way RV-style blade connector (that also has a flat four connector built in).

In case it's useful, I have the following color codes in my notes:

Proprietary Ford connector:
Green: Stop and R.H. turn signal
Yellow: Stop and L.H. turn signal
Brown: Tail lights
White: Not used

Standard flat four connector:
Green - Stop and R.H. turn signal
Yellow - Stop and L.H. turn signal
Brown - Tail lights
White - Ground wire

7-way RV-style blade connector:
pin #1 White wire - common ground
pin #2 Blue wire - trailer brake
pin #3 Green wire - tail, license and running lights
pin #4 Black wire - Battery charge
pin #5 Red wire - Stop and L.H. turn signal
pin #6 Brown wire - Stop and R.H. turn signal
pin #7 Yellow wire - Extra Auxiliary Circuit

Re: Hitch Receiver Wiring Harness - 7way?

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:59 am
by skater
Weird. Mine had a standard 7-way connector on the back. Never had a problem connecting our tow dolly.

Re: Hitch Receiver Wiring Harness - 7way?

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:49 pm
by Marko Polo
Just to follow up:

The wiring harness on the van WAS a standard 7-way. But the center pin (ground I believe) had somehow become twisted, therefore instead of an II it made a //. As with most repairs on these older vehicles, it became a replacement as the screw attaching it was too corroded to remove/replace. I went with one of the dual 7-way or 4-flat receivers for $25 from NAPA so an adapter will never be necessary.

Gonna post some pictures soon of this tailgate carrier i'm finishing up. Full size cooler, 77" locker for my skis, two #40 propane tanks w/ switchover (connected through a back-window to a catalytic heater, and two bikes all mounted and lockable. Moved the license plate bracket/light and added LED's.