Recommended Trailer Hitch Receiver and 7-way Connector For 2013 Ford F-150 W/O Trailer Connector

Updated 06/03/2021 | Published 06/02/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way and 4-Pole Flat Connectors

(718)

$34.44

No-Drill Mount for Electrical Mounting Bracket - Short

(1180)

$21.57

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers

(889)

$17.24

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6644)

$156.06

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"

(295)

$189.93

Replacement OEM Wiring Harness for Ford F-150

(28)

$24.91

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3398)

$121.18

Question:

Im looking to install a hitch and wiring for a 7 way connector. The truck does not have any towing wiring yet. What writing would I need to run the 7 way connector and break controller if there is no previous wiring?

asked by: Jacob T

Expert Reply:

It is pretty uncommon that a 2013 Ford F-150 does not have any factory trailer connector.

Most often there is a 4-way connector installed, which you can see if your truck had one but is missing by looking on the driver side on top of the spare tire for a connector shown in the included picture.

If one is present then you can use the Replacement OEM Wiring Harness for Ford F-150 # C56110 to add a 4-way connector.

If no connector is present you will need to hardwire a 4-way connector using # 18252.

Once a 4-way connector is installed you can now install a 7-way connector using # ETBC7 which will plug into the 4-way connector and require a few more connections. You will need to extend the black wire to the positive terminal of your battery with the included 40 amp circuit breaker, ground the white wire to the frame, and extend the blue wire to the passenger compartment where you are going to mount the trailer brake controller.

For a trailer brake controller I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 due to it being an extremely reliable controller with great features like an easy to read LCD screen and built in diagnostics that are easy to read and understand.

If your truck has the factory 4-way connector you can use plug-in adapter # 22292, but if it truly has no trailer connectors then you will need to hardwire the controller.

Lastly if you have not already decided on a trailer hitch receiver I recommend going with the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2" # C14002 as it has the highest ratings at 1000lbs tongue weight and 10000lb trailer weight, and in our experience the powder coat finish on the Curt hitches is the toughest and holds up the best over time.

To mount the 7-way connector to this hitch you will need no drill mounting bracket # 18140.

I included installation videos for each of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.