Best Wiring Options for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer
Published 03/02/2017 >
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
What options do I have to plug in my 5th wheel trailer to my truck? Do I have to use the socket at the bumper? Is there something easier?
asked by: Bill
Expert Reply:
You have a few options when it comes to 5th wheel wiring for your truck. Most trucks come with factory 7-way trailer connectors at the bumper. If your truck has a factory 7-way, then I recommend installing a 5th wheel wiring harness like the Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel Harness, # 41157. In-bed harnesses provide a quick and easy connection point in the bed, so you don't have to modify the existing trailer harness to make it longer or use an extension.
This harness has a 90-degree plug, so it is easy to install in the side wall of your truck bed and it comes with plug-in style connectors to tee into the back of your factory 7-way. Check out the installation video I attached on a Chevy Silverado. This installation will apply to any full-size truck with a factory 7-way.
I've attached a link to all of our 5th wheel wiring harnesses for you to check out.
If your truck does not have a factory 7-way trailer connector, or it does not have the round plug-in connection behind the 7-way, you could splice a 5th wheel harness into the wires using part # 20023. You can splice right into the factory trailer harness by using butt connectors like part # DW05745-10, or quick-splices like part # SWC501915-1. The heat shrink butt connectors are the better long-term solution.
Keep in mind, when splicing, it is important to splice function to function, not color to color. The functions for the wires on this harness are as follows.
Yellow: center auxiliary/reverse
Green: tail and license lights
Brown: right turn and stop lights
Blue: electric brake
Black: battery charge
Red: left turn and stop lights
White: ground wire
You should test the factory wiring before making any splices because the colors probably won't match. To test each wire, I recommend part # PTW2993.
If you don't want to deal with the installation of an in-bed harness and want to save some money, then you will want to take a look at a 7-way extension to your bumper using our Draw-Tite 7 ft Extension, # 20027. This will provide plenty of slack when turning, so you don't have to worry about the harness snagging or pulling out of the socket.

Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- 5th Wheel and Gooseneck Wiring
- Vehicle End Connector
- No Tow Package
- 7 Blade
- Plug and Lead
- Plug-In
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: landing gear motor
- Video: Demco’s Experts Talk Sliding Fifth-Wheels for Safer Turns, Quieter Towing
- Search Results: 7 pin cord
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: fifth wheel hitch
- Shop: Hopkins Endurance 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness with 7-Pole Plug
- Search Results: 5th wheel wiring harness
- Search Results: gooseneck hitch
- Shop: B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs
- Shop: Lippert HD 6500-lbTuson 5th Wheel RV Landing Gear Motor
- Shop: Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch for Ford Super Duty - Single Jaw - Above Bed - 18,000 lbs
- Video: Hands-On with the Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider for Chevy/GMC
- Video: Review of Demco Premier Series Custom Mounting Brackets - DM8552031
- Q&A: Replacement Motor for Lippert Power Landing Gear assemblies
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: PullRite Super 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Custom Mounting Kit - Auto Lock Jaw - 16,000 lbs
- Shop: PullRite ISR Series SuperLite 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Custom Mounting Kit - 20,000 lbs
- Video: Setting Up Your B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Head Assembly - 2023 Ram 2500
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Landing Gear Motor that Works Slow on 2011 Keystone FZ302
- Shop: Hopkins 7-Way Blade Style Connector with Molded Cable - Trailer End - 8' Long - Auto Standard
- Video: Lippert HD 6500-lbTuson 5th Wheel RV Landing Gear Motor Review
- Search Results: 5th wheel gooseneck adapter
- Q&A: Troubleshooting 5th Wheel Landing Gear That Retracts But Wont Extend
- Q&A: Comparing the Stromberg Carlson Replacement Motors LG-196308 and LG-142178
- Q&A: Recommended 5th Wheel Wiring Harness for a 2024 Ram 2500
- Q&A: 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty In-Bed 7-Way Socket Recommendation for Aluminum Truck Bed
- Q&A: Best Rated 5th Wheel Hitch for 2019 Ford F-250 Crew Cab V8 Turbo Diesel 4WD
- Search Results: fifth wheel trailer to gooseneck hitch 5th wheel gooseneck adapter
- Video: Hopkins Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring - Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Wiring - HM41158 Review
- Video: Curt Custom Underbed OEM-Style Gooseneck Trailer Hitch Review