Recommended Solution to Re-Wire 4 Way Trailer Plug with 8 Wires

Updated 06/14/2024 | Published 04/16/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 10

(1148)

$13.21

Question:

I have a Karavan trailer that has 8 wires going to a 4 post flat connector. I tore up the plug by dragging it and need to replace the plug. I cannot find a flat plug that accepts 8 individual wires. Do you know of one or how do I replace this.

asked by: Bruce B

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but you will need to cut off your existing plug and re-wire this to a new 4 way connector. Your current trailer plug appears to have wires for the left (yellow) and right (green) turn signal, brown wires for the running light circuits on the left and right side of the trailer (one for each side), ground wires for all of these independent of each other and a ground for the plug itself that connects to all of the other wires.

I recommend using the Wesbar Wishbone Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector - Trailer End - 18" Long # 002402 to replace your old plug and you'll want to connect the yellow to yellow, green to green, the brown wires connect one to each side (it won't matter which) and then you'll connect the brown wire with white stripe and the remaining white ground wires all to each other and then connect those with a jumper wire to the white wire on the # 002402. You can use some electrical tape to bind the multiple wires and then use heat shrink butt connectors like the # DW05745-10 to connect to the harness.

I've also linked a helpful article we did on trailer wiring and 4 way harnesses that you might find helpful for this as well.

expert reply by: Erik B

Reza G.

6/14/2024

Hi Erick B: Can you please clarify the part. " you'll connect the brown wire with white stripe and the remaining white ground wires all to each other and then connect those with a jumper". I have a similar question as original poster. Does one connect the brown wire with the white strip to the other brown wires or the white wire? Thank you.

Kevin C.

6/14/2024

@RezaG If you're using the Wesbar Wishbone Wiring Harness # 002402 then you would wire it to the trailer in the following manner: White - ground wire Yellow - left turn/brake light Green - right turn/brake light Brown - tail lights Because this is a wishbone-style connector it comes with a brown tail light wire for both the right and left sides because of the way boat trailer frames are designed. I can't tell you what the functions are for the wires on your trailer so if you don't know what they do you can put 12v power to them to see if a light turns and can then label the wire.

Reza G.

6/14/2024

@KevinC Thank you very much.

Reza G.

6/14/2024

@KEvinC If the Brown wire with the yellow strip is for the Power on the left side of the trailer, would it connect to the rest of the brown wires? Thank you