Setting Up a 1999 Ford F-350 To Tow Trailers with 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-Way Connectors
Updated 02/04/2010 | Published 01/31/2010
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Question:
I have a truck that has 2 6 way round connectors. 1 of the connectors is mounted inside the bed with trailer brakes so I can hook my gooseneck trailer to. The other 6 way is a 6 way round x 4 way flat that I have mounted in the bumper and the 4 way part connects to the factory 4 way. I use this one only for the lights on small trailers with no brakes. This adapter that is mounted in the bumper also has a extra blue and black wire that is not used. I am going to be pulling a cargo trailer with electric brakes that has a 7 way blade plug. I connected the unused blue wire from the adapter in the bumper to the blue wire going to the plug in the bed that has electric brakes. When I did this I connected my gooseneck trailer to the truck and plugged it into the bumper plug that has the blue lead spliced into the electric brake controller. When I stepped on the brakes the drawtite brake controller showed a OL on the display. I am guessing this stands for overload? I checked all my connections and things appear to be connected correctly. Can I connect 2 different plugs to 1 brake controller or am I doing something wrong? I am also planning on getting a 6 way round x 7 way blade adapter to plug into my truck and then connect the cargo trailer to the adapter for its lights and brakes, will this work? Truck is 1999 F-350 that came with factory 4-way connector Thanks for you input.
asked by: Shane S
Expert Reply:
There are adapters for stepping trailer connectors down like going from a 7-Way to a 6-Way, but going the other way requires extra wiring. The simplest way for you to set up your truck to be able to tow 7,6,5 and 4-Way trailer connectors is to start with a 7-Way and use adapters when necessary.
Fortunately, the 99-01 Super Duty trucks from Ford are pre-wired to support all 7 functions and there is a simple plug and play 7-Way that will get your truck set up with a fully functional 7-Way very quickly. The part is part # 118243 and is very similar to what would have been on the truck if it had a 7-Way from the factory. I have included a link to the instructions for this part below.
I would recommend pulling apart the wiring you have now and start clean. This will prevent any wire cross feed and short problems like the brake OL, over load, code you are getting now. Disconnect the truck bed 6-way wring. Leave it in place as if you do not want a 7-Way in the truck bed, but disconnect it from the electrical system.
Remove the 6-Way and associated wiring from the rear bumper and under carriage. In other words, return the truck back to the stock wiring configuration and leave the 6-Way truck bed/gooseneck wires loose. Install the 7-Way connector I mentioned above, part # 118243. Make sure it is working properly. Use a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993, and test to make sure each pin is working properly. The functions are mapped out on a trailer wiring help page I have linked below. Once this 7-Way is in and working, you have the base trailer connector that will allow you to tow virtually any kind of trailer with simple plug-in adapters.
Re-Connect the wires from the 6-Way in the bed so your gooseneck wiring will be functional again. Remember to use the circuit tester again to make sure the 6-Way in the bed and the 7-Way in the truck are still working properly.
If everything is good to go, all that is left are the adapters. If you need to convert your 7-Way down to a 6-Way at the rear bumper, you would use either adapter part # 47525. To step down from the 7-Way to a 4 or 5-Way, you could use part # 37385. With 2 simple plug-in adapters, you will be able to tow almost any trailer.
