Replacing Trailer 5-Way Connector with 6 Wires

Published 11/22/2019

Products Featured in This Question

5-Flat Trailer End 48" Harness

(42)

$11.40

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5

(1104)

$8.52

Question:

I am trying to replace my connection. It has 4 male pins and one female pin total of 5. The issue is there are 6 wires so not able to find replacement from what I can see online? The plug had Taylor stamped onto rubber. There is a red, green, yellow, green/black and yellow/black together and a white. The yellow/black and green/black are molded into rubber for the one pin.

asked by: Ralph T

Expert Reply:

While the wire colors that are used on your trailer are a bit different, it appears that you simply have what is called a wishbone wiring harness. You can replace the 5-Way with a harness like the Draw-Tite Wishbone Style 5-Way # 20017.

This style basically means that there is a separate running lights circuit wire that runs down each side of the trailer (instead of a traditional setup that would just run a single wire back and then use a jumper wire at the rear to go from one tail light to the other). This is why you have 6 wires going to a 5-Way connector.

Based on the picture you attached it looks like the red wire is your reverse light circuit, the green wire is for right turn/brake signal, yellow is for left turn/brake signal, green/black is for the running lights circuit on the right side of the trailer, yellow/black is for running lights on the left side of the trailer, and white is for ground.

I recommend using some heat shrink butt connectors like # DW05744-5 to ensure sealed connections with the wiring.

expert reply by: Chris R