Adding a Deka Jacketed 7-Wire to a Trailer

Updated 04/17/2015 | Published 04/15/2015

Products Featured in This Question

12 Gauge 7 Conductor Jacketed Wire - Per Foot

(507)

$10.00

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

16-Gauge Bonded 3 Wire - per foot

(42)

$1.55

Question:

I will be adding completely new wiring to a trailer I have. Im going from the 7 pin connector from my 14 4Runner to a juction box using the hopkins 7 wire connector. From there, Im a little confused about what wire to get. I see you sell this jacketed 7 wire, but most wiring diagrams show the green/brown and yellow/brown wire splitting just after the A-frame part of the trailer and running down their respective sides. Wouldnt that defeat the purpose of ordering this wire jacketed because the sheathing would need to be removed to run the wires down the sides of the trailer?

asked by: Colton

Helpful Expert Reply:

The jacket on Deka Wire - Jacketed 7-Wire # DW04914-1 is going to provide an extra layer of protection for the trailer wiring. You might consider moving the junction box as far back on the trailer as possible. This way the bulk of your wiring will be jacketed and protected.

Personally, I'd install the junction box toward the front of the trailer, running the Hopkins molded trailer connector right into it. From the junction box, run the 3-wire bonded wire # 16-3B-1 for the lighting circuits and a length of # 10-1-1 for the brake circuit.

expert reply by: Chris O