Is Smaller 12 Volt Wire on Curt 4-Way to 7-Way Adapter an Issue

Question

Question:

I installed this product 4 years ago. It came as a part of a full wiring kit that I purchased from eTrailer. I ran the 10 gauge wire from the front of the car and made an extension from my hitch to attach the Curt bracket and plug. All worked great. This year I’ve had problems with intermittent loss of one or the other brake / turn lights. Long story short, the contacts in the plug w’re corroded and after trying to clean them, I just decided to replace the socket. I notice on the new product same Curt part number the power wire is a considerably smaller gauge than the old one, closer to 14 than 10. I’m sure the trailer wire is heavier. So I’ve got this skinny wire between the larger ones on the car and on the trailer. Is that going to be a problem?

asked by: Tom L

0

Expert Reply:

Hi Tom,

That's a good question but there will not be any issues at all with the 12 volt wire of the Curt Trailer Connector Adapter - 4-Way to 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat # C57672.

This is a 12 gauge wire and won't cause any issues for your wiring.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Tom L.

10/8/2024

I appreciate the quick response. I spoke with a product support person at Curt who told me the same thing. And it seems it was 12 on the old one after all. So I guess I’m good. It is still confusing to me. This results in two 10awg wires (car and trailer) connected with a 12. Seems like it should be 10 all the way. As an aside, I was surprised that the plug corroded so badly over the course of just four years. I’m in NM so it’s not a salt or humidity issue. Tom

Kyle S.

10/8/2024

@TomL Glad I could help, and I'm also surprised about the corrosion over four years, I agree it does seem like it should have lasted longer, particularly where you are. Moisture can be a pretty fickle beast I supposed, so one thing I definitely recommend to help corrosion on a trailer plug is Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors # 11755. This helps the plug to prevent damage from moisture, so if it's something you haven't been using, I would consider doing so to help prolong the life of the plug (even though it honestly shouldn't even be necessary, but I digress).

Helpful Links

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Answer 1

For starters, we do not offer products through Amazon as they are a competitor of ours. However, I can offer you the Curt Trailer Connector Adapter part #C57672 which will work on your 1968 Ford F-150 if you have an existing 4-way trailer connector.…

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Answer 2

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 3

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 4

The #ETBC7 or #ETBC7L will differ from the Curt #C57672 in that these two parts both come with all of the wiring, breakers, mounting bracket and connectors needed to complete the job; the Curt #C57672 is just the 7 way connector without any of the…

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Answer 5

Hello Vincent, thanks for reaching out. Some 14 gauge wire would be acceptable for the 12v power wire. Generally, we would use a 30 amp circuit breaker for this. To prevent any backfeed you can install a diode like part #RM-690. I hope this helps.…

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Answer 6

The easiest to install brake controller to use with the 4-way to 7-way adapter #C57672 is the Curt Echo Mobile controller part #C51180 which would require you to only complete the black wires circuit of the adapter and you'd be set. You'd…

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Answer 7

You can use that wire, but you will want to install the 40 amp breaker that came with your #ETBC7L. The Echo #C51180 won't pull that much power but the combination of the brake controller and the trailer would cause your 20 amp fuse to blow.

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Answer 8

You actually don't have to run a power wire to the Curt 7-way adapter part #C57672 unless you need the circuit for like a battery charge or interior/exterior lighting on the trailer. If you don't have a need for that you can leave that…

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Answer 9

If your camper requires the 12 volt accessory circuit to charge a battery or maybe use auxiliary lights then you do have to run the wire up to the battery even though it may be difficult to access. While it may be easier to run the wire to a…

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Answer 10

Hello Elly. Yes, in order to get the power to the Curt Trailer Connector Adapter #C57672 you would need to run some 10 gauge wire like #DW02508-1 (sold by the foot) from the battery back to the 7 way connector. If you are looking to put a 7 way on…

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Answer 11

Installation time is going to vary by shop and the experience of their mechanics. If you are going to an RV dealer that has experienced mechanics that have done hard wire installations several times in the past, I would say that the install time for…

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Answer 12

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Is Smaller 12 Volt Wire on Curt 4-Way to 7-Way Adapter an Issue

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