Wiring of a European Trailer That Uses a 13-Pin Connector on a Ford F-150 with 4 and 7 Way Connector

Published 11/06/2014

Question:

Hi, I have an American ford F-150 truck with 4 and 7 pin outputs and and I need to connect the ford with a trailer that uses a 13-pin trailer connector ISO 11446. The trailer is without brakes so I need only signal and brake lights to work. What adapter should I buy?

asked by: Tony A

Expert Reply:

Unfortunately, we do not carry the European style connector you are trying to locate.

On a European 7-Way trailer connector, the connector is pinned out differently than those used in the United States. They also use more wires to cover the same functions as a U.S. wiring configuration. So it would be much more beneficial to wire the trailer to work with a U.S. configuration rather than to convert and adapt the existing trailer wiring.

You will need a vehicle to vehicle tail light converter, part # 118158, which will separate the turn signal circuit from the brake light circuit. On the input side of the converter, you will attach the right turn/ brake circuit to the green wire, the left turn/ brake circuit to the yellow wire and the white wire will ground to ground wire from the trailer connector that is grounded to the trailer frame. The running light circuit will bypass the converter entirely, since it does not need to be converted. The tail light isolating diode system part # 38955 will need to be used with the tail light converter # 118158 to prevent power feedback.

On the output side, the yellow wire connects to the lead for the amber turn signal lamp on the drivers side, and the green wire connects to the lead for the amber turn signal lamp on the passenger side. The red wire is spliced to each side of the trailer and connects to the red stoplight lamp wires, and the brown wire that bypassed the converter is spliced to each side of the trailer and connected to the running light lamp wires.

To complete your trailer wiring you will also need a 4-Way trailer side connector, like part # 18004. I attached a drawing that shows how the converter should be wired to the trailer lights.

I have included a couple video reviews and installation video for you as well.