Isolating Power for a 5-Wire Motorcycle Trailer Harness and a 5-Wire Motorcycle Trailer

Updated 03/23/2010 | Published 03/21/2010

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Question:

I want to use an isolation set up on my motorcycle/trailer, both use a 5 wire set-up, the trailer is a 5 pole flat with the last wire for the brake lights. any suggestions?

asked by: Steve C

Expert Reply:

There is a way to isolate the power draw on a 5 wire to 5 wire setup, but it would require a few parts and some wiring work. All of the isolated power trailer converters convert a 5-wire vehicle to a more standard 4-wire system for automotive use trailers, but as you are aware, motorcycle trailers are built as 5-wire systems to match the bike.

You would use part # C59496 on the bike. This part has 5 wire leads to connect ground and the different light functions. The 6th wire is the battery wire so that the trailer lights will have their own power circuit instead of drawing power through the motorcycle taillight circuits. You would then connect this new trailer connector to a 4-Pole trailer side connector like part # 9653P.

From this 4-Wire connector, you can up-convert back to the 5-Wire system using part # 118158. In essence what is happening is you are converting from a 5-Wire to a 4-Wire when you isolate the power source. You then connect to the trailer. Finally you convert from a 4-Wire back up to a 5-Wire before getting to the trailer light.

It is a bit of a round about way, but these are the only parts we have available to accomplish this.

expert reply by: Patrick B