Adapting a 6-Way to a 7-Way on a Winnebago View to Tow a Trailer with Electric Brakes

Updated 02/25/2013 | Published 02/21/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Adapter 6-Pole to 7-Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter

(126)

$21.30

Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6, and 8 Brake Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

(164)

$57.20

Cordless Circuit Tester

(15)

$19.43

Question:

This is a WINNEBAGO VIEW and came with a 6-pin round trailer connector. I need to convert that to a 7 pin blade connector to tow a trailer with brakes. How is this accomplished??

asked by: Bill G

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of things you can do. First, you could convert the vehicle side connector to a 7-Way by using # 47435, which is just an adapter. This is going to be the easiest way to be able to use the 7-Way on the trailer without having to hardwire anything new on the vehicle.

The other thing you can do is cut off the 7-Way connector on the trailer and install a 6-Way to match the vehicle. This is more work and is not necessary.

Because the 6-Way connector you have now has a brake output circuit you will not need to make any changes to it since the 7-Way end of the adapter also has a brake output circuit.

You will also need a brake controller. I recommend the P2 # 90885 because it is reliable, easy to set up and easy to use. To install the brake controller, you will need to do a little hardwiring unless Winnebago can offer you a plug in type connector that plugs into a factory port on the vehicle.

If they cannot then you will need to add a brake controller wiring kit like # 5506 for trailers with 6 to 8 brakes. You will then need to follow the ETBC7 instructions I have linked with one exception: instead of wiring a hot lead and brake output wire from the trailer connector to the brake controller, you will just run the brake feed.

You will need to remove the wire connected to the brake output from the back of the 6-Way and attach the new wire in its place. The other end of that wire goes to the blue brake controller wire. Everything else for wiring the brake controller will be the same as in the ETBC7 instructions.

On a 6-Way connector, if looking at the back where the wires attach, the brake output pin will either be in the center position or in the 2:00 position. The easy way to find it is by testing both of these locations with a circuit tester like # PTW2979 if needed. If one of then is hot all the time then it is the 12 volt feed so the other one would be the brake feed.

In the event that you connect the trailer and the brakes immediately lock up, all you will have to do is swap the 12 volt feed position with the brake feed position on the back of the 6-Way (because there are 2 ways a 6-Way can be wired, this problem is common).