Replacing 4-Way Connector on Trailer with 8 Wires

Updated 06/19/2019 | Published 06/17/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 22-18 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Red - Qty 10

(1141)

$14.63

Question:

Hello, I need to replace my 4 pin connector on my trailer. I have 8 wires. I have attached a picture to this message. Can you point me in the right direction as to what I need to purchase to accomplish this job? Thanks, Jon

asked by: Jonathan B

Expert Reply:

For just the needed 4-Way by itself I recommend the Hopkins Quick Fix # HMC20031 that features a removable cap that makes it easier to insert the wiring from your trailer.

From the looks of the picture you attached you probably have three ground wires (white) and three running light wires (brown), the remaining green wire being for right side turn/brake and the yellow for left side turn/brake. With that being said I highly recommend still testing them each for function for verification as a previous owner could have used non-standard wire colors.

As I'm sure you're aware trailers typically only have 4 or 5 wires ran to a 4-Way flat connector. Most likely instead of splicing wires together from the tail lights and running them up to the connector, the previous owner kept all of these individual wires as-is. To run all the wires to the appropriate pins on the new 4-Way you will want to splice together the wires that share the same function using some butt connectors like # DW05743-10 and then running run a single wire for each function to the 4-Way.

expert reply by: Chris R