4-Way Flat to 5-Way Flat Adapter for Boat Trailer

Updated 06/30/2020 | Published 06/21/2015

Question:

How do you connect a 4way flat to a 5 way flat on a 1997 Chev Tahoe. I have followed the directions but still does not work with respect to boat trailer lock out in order to go in reverse.

asked by: Dwight

Expert Reply:

We do have an adapter to go from a 4-Way on a vehicle to a 5-Way on a trailer. You can use # 20036. The extra blue wire will get wired into the reverse light circuit on the vehicle. The 5th wire on a boat trailer 5-Way is usually for an electric reverse lockout. When the vehicle is placed in reverse it sends a signal back to a solenoid on the actuator and does not allow the brakes to engage. You might also check your ground wire to make sure you have a clean ground.

expert reply by: Chris O

Todd

6/23/2020

I had just purchased a 4 pole wiring kit for my 2013 Ford Edge Sport from e-trailer. The installation went well but my lights don't work on my boat trailer with a 5 pole connection. Shouldn't the lights still work without connecting the 5 pole (reverse lights)?

Chris R.

6/26/2020

Yes, connecting the 5-Way on the boat trailer to the 4-Way on your Ford Edge should still work to power the trailer's signal lights (except for the reverse lights). Have you checked to make sure you're actually getting power on the new 4-Way? Use a circuit tester at each pin to verify you're getting power with each signal light function. Let me know what you find and we'll go from there.

Todd

6/26/2020

I found the problem. I had a bad ground contact to my vehicle. Thanks for replying back Chris.