Trailer Wiring Harness for 2014 Chevrolet Equinox Without Tow Package

Updated 04/06/2016 | Published 04/03/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(1025)

$32.26

Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter

(262)

$18.38

Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

(660)

$61.72

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3399)

$109.71

Question:

2014 Chevy Equinox, no towing package. Need a wiring harness, pulling a boat trailer with a 7 pin connector. Boat has surge brakes. When trailer is plugged in allows me to back up the trailer, brakes dont lock. What harness do I need for the equinox.

asked by: Rich

Expert Reply:

Since your 2014 Chevrolet Equinox does not have any tow package wiring you'll start with a 4-pole harness like # 56094 which is a simple plug-in installation at the car's taillights. This provides stop, turn and tail light signals for the trailer.

From there to convert to a 7-way RV-style trailer socket you'll need our # ETBC7 kit. This kit includes all of the components needed to convert the 4-pole flat plug to a 7-way socket like # 37185. An installation video and article are linked for you. A 7-way adds circuits for 12V trailer power, reverse lights and typically electric trailer brakes.

Usually boat trailers with surge brakes will be used either with free-backing type drum brakes that do not engage when reversing, or the trailer's surge coupler will have either a manual lockout or an electric solenoid lockout to prevent the surge brakes from engaging when you back up. With the electric lockout type coupler a 4-pole to 5-pole adapter like # 20036 can be used to access the vehicle's reverse light circuit which then triggers the solenoid to prevent the surge brakes from engaging.

The linked article on trailer wiring will illustrate the types of connectors and the circuit function provided by each.