Connecting Lighter Gauge Wire to Heavier Gauge Wire

Updated 04/27/2021 | Published 04/23/2021

Question:

The yellow reverse light wire on CURT is either 10 or 12 gauge. It appears the reverse light wire on my truck is only about 18 gauge. How do you splice/tap such different wire gauges? Thanks!

asked by: Patrick H

Helpful Expert Reply:

When connecting different gauge wires you can solder the connection and the gauge difference would be not issue at all or if you were wanting to use a butt end connector you'd need to use the larger size connector what comes with the # ETBC7 and just be sure to clamp the end with the smaller gauge down completely and tightly. Another trick I'll do is strip back the lighter gauge wire about twice as much as you normally would and then fold the exposed wire in half so that the butt connector has more wire to grab onto.

expert reply by: Jameson C