Not using trailer brakes.

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Meatball12

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So my uncle contacted me to see if I could haul this trailer(EMPTY) about 30 miles to his house. It is about 3800lbs empty. I have 1 question.

Would it be ok to haul this without hooking up the electric brakes seeing as how its not loaded. My truck does not have the 7 pin connector just the 4 pin.

If it is risky he says not to do it, but Im gonna be up that way anyway so I figured I would at least research the idea.

https://www.trailersuperstore.com/shop/carmate-8-5-x-20-enclosed-car-trailer-extended-tongue/
 

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So my uncle contacted me to see if I could haul this trailer(EMPTY) about 30 miles to his house. It is about 3800lbs empty. I have 1 question.

Would it be ok to haul this without hooking up the electric brakes seeing as how its not loaded. My truck does not have the 7 pin connector just the 4 pin.

If it is risky he says not to do it, but Im gonna be up that way anyway so I figured I would at least research the idea.

https://www.trailersuperstore.com/shop/carmate-8-5-x-20-enclosed-car-trailer-extended-tongue/

You should be OK if you take it easy and keep your speed down a little BUT many states require brakes on any trailer weighing more than 3000 lbs. total weight and many states require that if a trailer has brakes they must work.
 

dudeman2009

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I dont know about where you live, but up here, If a cop spots either trailer brakes or a 7 pin connector, and its not plugged into the tow vehicle, he will pull you over.

Only pull during the day, as the lights dont work at night, if you want to be real sneaky, take the trailer plug and attach it somewhere inside the bed.
 
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Meatball12

Meatball12

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Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I will do it. There are no highways on my route so I should be fine with speed. I'll grab one of those adapters so the lights work and I don't bring any undue attention.

I will have to wire up a 7 pin so I don't have this problem in the future.


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dudeman2009

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the question is now, which type of 7 pin do you have. I know of three alternate versions. One with brake and turns combines, brake and turns separate, then two variants where the aux and reverse lights are switched.

Just make sure you know which goes to what before you put it all together and blow a fuse, then start cursing
 
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Meatball12

Meatball12

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I assume you mean on the trailer. Are there differently configuref adapters?

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dudeman2009

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crash68

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the question is now, which type of 7 pin do you have. I know of three alternate versions. One with brake and turns combines, brake and turns separate, then two variants where the aux and reverse lights are switched.
Unless the trailer and truck has been custom wired for each other, there is two different standard 7 pin trailer connectors. The flat blade is the RV/trailer standard the other 7 pin uses round pins(agricultural/commercial)

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx
 

dudeman2009

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Unless the trailer and truck has been custom wired for each other, there is two different standard 7 pin trailer connectors. The flat blade is the RV/trailer standard the other 7 pin uses round pins(agricultural/commercial)

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

thats the point, I dont know what his situation is. so I gave him the necessary information to determine which he has. the two are visually different but asking if he has a commercial connector or standard isnt much help if he doesnt know what one of them is.

Hence the picture describing the differences.
 
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Meatball12

Meatball12

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It is a trailer off a dealer lot. I feel safe in assuming that it is a traditional connection. That pic is definitely helpful thanks.

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crash68

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I know of three alternate versions. One with brake and turns combines, brake and turns separate, then two variants where the aux and reverse lights are switched.
The way you wrote this, you make it sound like the 7 pin flat blade is wired differently. Despite the different color wires being used, the 7 pin Traditional and the RV Standard are wired the same.
The 7 round pin is wired differently.
 
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Meatball12

Meatball12

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Thanks for the advice guys. The trip went well, however I definitely want trailer brakes next time. Going down one hill was a little bit hairy but I managed.
 

dudeman2009

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Man looking back at this I was a ******** to Crash, sorry man, I must have been tired or something. You are right, the RV and traditional styles of 7 pin flat have the same pinouts. I'm guessing that at the time I was trying to say that he shouldn't get confused if the wire colors don't match up exactly with each other on the trailer and truck.
 
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