What Gauge Wire Is Required On a 7-Way Connector

Updated 08/12/2024 | Published 10/17/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End

(661)

$7.94

7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector - 3' Long

(192)

$29.43

Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector with Molded Cable - Trailer End - 8' Long - RV Standard

(907)

$46.90

Question:

I want to make a 4 foot extension on my 7 blade rv connector. I want to know what guage wire i need. I think the power and the ground are different gauges than the other 5. Thanks for the help.

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

On a 7-Way connector the suggested minimum wire gauge for the White (ground) wire, the Red or Black (power) wire, and the Blue (brake power) wire is 12 gauge. The minimum wire gauge for the remaining Green (right turn/brake) wire, the Yellow (left turn/brake) wire, the Brown (tail lights) wire, and the Purple (reverse light) wire is 16 gauge.

I have the Hopkins 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector with Lead, part # H20042. This is a 7-Way blade plug on one end and a 3 foot wire lead. Also, the Hopkins 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector with Lead, part # H20046, which is a 7-Way blade plug with an 8 foot wire lead.

I am including a link to a FAQ page on wiring.

expert reply by: Jeff D

Gerald G.

5/11/2020

Looking for information on what gauge wire the tow vehicle manufacturers GM, Ford, RAM would typically use for this connection? Especially for the plus and minus. We have a Bull Dog 650 hoist from etrailer.com that we intend to power from this connection.

Chris R.

5/13/2020

I'm not sure there's really a standard but typically 12 to 10 gauge wiring would be used for the 12V circuit on a factory 7-Way harness. I highly recommend hooking up the Bulldog Hoist directly to the truck's battery or an aux battery for best performance.

Angel

8/11/2024

I converted my 4 lin trailer plug to a 7 pin. The 4 to 7 pin adapter has 14 awg so I ran a 14 awg wire to my brake controller as well as to the battery. I see on the internet that it's fine but I am a little scared it won't work because I also see that the 12 volt lead from the 7 pin to the battery should be 12 awg and the wire from the 7 pin plug to my brake controller shouod also be 12awg. Am I okay with the 14 awg or do I NEED to switch it

Jon G.

8/12/2024

@Angel Great question. We prefer to recommend 10 and 12 gauge wiring for this purpose (nothing wrong with going a little bigger), but 14 gauge wire is still safe to use so you won't need to rewire everything.