How To Add 7 Way Connector to 2013 Lazy Daze Ford E450 with 4 Pole Round Connector

Updated 11/05/2019 | Published 11/02/2019

Products Featured in This Question

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

(30)

$2.03

Adapter 4 Round to 4 Flat

(85)

$13.72

7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires

(385)

$93.28

LCD Digital Circuit Tester

(28)

$27.97

Question:

7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End Item # HM40975. My 2013 Lazy Daze Class Ford E450 chassis has the singular LD factory 4 pole round connector. I want to upgrade to 40975, since I need to use trailer brakes, and still retain 4 pole optional use as well. I believe Ford has the wiring harness and connector in place behind the upper dash coin holder for the later addition of a brake controller Tekonsha 90885. Prying the plastic holder loose will probably lead to purchase of a new holder. Ford dealer part $$ ouch. I will not attempt though until I see the wiring instructions for the 40975 upgrade. Parts recommendations ? Installation Instructions available ?

asked by: George

Expert Reply:

To start, I don't think the Hopkins # HM40975 is going to accomplish what you're wanting to do without adding some extra parts since it's really just a socket without any wiring; I would instead recommend that you use the # ETBC7L since it comes with all of the wiring, relays, butt connectors, 4 way and 7 way connector, and will allow you to retain use of your 4 way round plug in the future. The main catch is that you'll want to use the Adapter 4 Round to 4 Flat # 47465 to plug into the harness on the # ETBC7L , and will let you keep the 4 way round plug for future use. This is going to provide you with a number of plugs that should cover a wide spectrum of what you may need to tow in the future and accomplish your goals in an easier manner.

To install the # ETBC7L , it will require that you run the included wiring to ground, up to the battery and to the brake control wire. As for the available brake controller wiring available on your Ford E450 chassis, if you have the factory brake controller plug located behind the vehicle storage compartment above the radio, you will be able to use the # 3034-P plug to connect your brake controller to the factory wiring. If you don't have that plug on your RV, you'll need to hardwire everything in yourself using the instructions from your brake controller (I've also linked some installation videos for the Tekonsha P2 # 90885 to use as a guide). Overall, I believe that the prying required shouldn't break anything as long as you're careful.

The one part you may need if you're forced to hard wire in the brake controller is a circuit tester, which you can use # PTW2992 for. If you need any additional wiring, you can use # 12-1-1 for 10 gauge wire by the foot, but you should have enough in the ETBC7L kit to accomplish what you need.