Converting European 7-Pin Wired Vehicle to U.S. Wiring  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Unfortunately it is not as easy as changing a plug. European style trailers are wired very differently than our trailers here in the U.S.

The main difference between European trailer wiring and US trailer wiring is that European trailers typically use a 3-wire system and US trailers use a 2-wire system. The 3-wire system means the trailer will have separate wires for the turn signals, brake lights and tail lights. The 2-wire system will have one wire for the turn signals and brake lights and one wire for the tail lights.

My first recommendation would be to install a separate 4-pole trailer wiring harness on your vehicle. Tow Ready offers the Upgraded Taillight Converter, part # 119190. This harness has 5 blunt cut wires and a ground wire with a ring terminal. To install this harness, you would splice the green wire into the right turn signal circuit on your vehicle, the brown wire to the tail light circuit, the yellow wire to the left turn signal and the red wire to the brake light signal. The thicker gauge black wire would run directly to the vehicle battery to power the wiring harness.

Typically, this harness is spliced into the factory tail light wiring running to the tail light assemblies, but the wiring from the 7-way trailer connector already on the vehicle may be easier to access. This would give you a 4-pole connector on your vehicle to tow your trailer.

If you want to convert the 4-way to a 7-way you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product.

expert reply by: Chris O

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