Wiring for trailer

Bob 03 · Jun 15, 2019

I have a 2004 Ram 1500 with the towing package. I can not find where the trailer plug 7 in connector goes in the wiring harness. I do have the 4 pin connector. It is a factor towing package. I do not have the plug in the bumper. Can any one help me. Thank's

ramrocker · Jun 15, 2019

Only thing I know is to look in the manual.
2004 Section 8 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ieajb1t38wi055w/04DRM.pdf?dl=0

Spoonsize · Jun 15, 2019

Do you have a factory brake controller below right of the steering wheel?

Bob 03 · Jun 15, 2019

Spoonsize · Jun 15, 2019

Do you know if your hitch is Class 1, 3, or three? Not having the brake controller leads me to believe the factory tow package you have was not intended for trailers with brakes which limits the size of trailer you can safely tow. So it boils down to hitch size, and that depends on the weight your rear axle can carry( which is on the drivers door near the latch).

HemiLonestar · Jun 15, 2019

Spoonsize said:
Do you have a factory brake controller below right of the steering wheel?

3rd gens didn't come with a factory brake controller, tow package or not

Bob 03 said:
It is a factor towing package. I do not have the plug in the bumper. Can any one help me.

Are you sure it's a factory tow package? Coming with a hitch does not necessarily mean it is; 7 pin plug should have come standard on it.

Spoonsize · Jun 15, 2019

Why would they have installed a factory 7 pin plug without the brake controller? I suppose the dealer could install one, just does not make sense the would install the plug if they were not going to deliver it tow ready.

HemiLonestar · Jun 16, 2019

Why did they use substandard plastic for the early dashes? Why did they use substandard metal for the early valvesprings? Why did they use a transmission that was barely adequate for the power the engine in front of it makes lol? All good questions; answers? Who knows? You need the blue plug harness to hook up a brake controller under the dash. Didn't get a controller from the factory until well into the 4th gen run. This:

Goes here:

Spoonsize · Jun 16, 2019

Valid points for sure. My build list has Class 4 hitch and 7 pin wiring harness.

WY-Dave · Jun 16, 2019

Usually a "tow package" is bigger battery & alternator, a hitch and trans cooler. Atleast that was the way it was on my Jeeps. Still had to get a controller for the 7-wire that the popup took.

Bob 03 · Jun 16, 2019

I called the dealer and the parts guy checked to see what all this truck had. I was told it had a 3.92 rear end Hemi,trailer tow package and electric mirrors, and 20' inch wheels.

TigreST · Jun 16, 2019

I had a 03 with the trailer tow package. The OP hauled a horse trailer with it. I only ever used for my small motorcycle trailer. Anyway..the motorcycle trailer only needed a four pin connector to the lights. I opted to install the "Tee Harness" which was a simple "plug and play" into the factory harness at the left rear of the truck (even though I had that big seven pin connector at the bumper). The reason?...I also wanted to run the receiver hitch "RAM brake light" when the hitch was not being used...ergo the four pin light connector provided by the Tee Harness. No splicing or dicing with the Tee-Harness. I'm guessing, but they might do the same connection for the big 7 pin connector. You might even find a bumper mount (hole required) Tee Harness kit perhaps. I got my Tee Harness from:

www.etrailer.com

This link may help.

http://www.etrailer.com/t1-2003_Dodge_Ram+Pickup.htm

.T

https://www.ramforum.com/attachments/img_1342-jpg.135876/

HemiLonestar · Jun 16, 2019

WY-Dave said:
Usually a "tow package" is bigger battery & alternator, a hitch and trans cooler. Atleast that was the way it was on my Jeeps. Still had to get a controller for the 7-wire that the popup took.

Well in '03 160a was an option over the standard 136a, also different battery options, though would have to find an old option code list to see what was supposed to be standard for the tow package. All 3rd gen Rams got a trans cooler, just depends on what size; there is a 1500, 2500 and 3500 size, though several people have said their tow package 1500 came with the larger 2500 size.

@Bob 03 since you don't have one, obviously you'll need to install one. Me, I'm picky about these things so I installed the factory 7 pin add-on kit, current p/n 82207253AB: https://www.amazon.com/2002-2009-TR...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D4KXRKY1FR7GRYASYPAM

Bob 03 · Jun 16, 2019

I am all so picky. I just need to see if I can find the black and blue wire. at the area around where the 4 pin plug is.

HemiLonestar · Jun 16, 2019

Bob 03 said:
I am all so picky. I just need to see if I can find the black and blue wire. at the area around where the 4 pin plug is.

It'll be an empty plug, you have to buy the plug with pigtail

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

Bob 03 · Jun 16, 2019

But I have the plug under the dash to hook up a brake controller. Should not those wires go to the back some where?

HemiLonestar · Jun 16, 2019

As long as it goes to the same place; if you have the blue plug with the wires in place for a controller then someone bothered to do it, why wouldn't they have the 7 pin there too?

Bob 03 · Jun 18, 2019

Thanks guy's. I have every think I need to do it.

Bob

Bob 03 · Jun 25, 2019

Will got the brake controller installed. Found the blue plug and found the brake wire in that plug and connected to it. Ran blue wire and power to the plug at the rear.

ut twobreakers one for the controller and one for the power. Bottom line it works.

Jones Auto Repair · Jul 20, 2019

My sons '06 : He added a 7 pin inside the bed for his gooseneck & Military is right... there is a jack in the Left rear of the tank zone for adding on to the system !

Wiring for trailer

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