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5lug should I get 4pin or 7pin harness?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by 05RedTaco, Jun 13, 2011.

  1. Jun 13, 2011 at 12:54 PM
    #1
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco [OP] Nom Nom Nom

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    I have lifted 4x2 4cylinder, manual, regular cab, 5lug Taco

    I will be getting hitch and towing harness soon. It happened few times over last few months that I needed to tow and I can only see it becoming more frequent as my business takes off...

    Now last I towed was a 5x9 single axle trailer I rented from Uhaul. I had the trailer loaded up with heavy top of the line, fridge, stove, dishwasher and over oven microwave, the taco did just fine.

    Now eventually I want to get my own 5x8 or 5x9 single axle trailer.

    My dilemma is what towing harness to get? Should I get the 4pin harness or does it make sense to get 7pin harness? With 3500lbs towing capacity will my Taco be even able to tow a trailer which needs 7pin harness?

    Let me know what you guys think!
     
  2. Jun 13, 2011 at 12:56 PM
    #2
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    Get a 7 Pin.

    It's easier to go from 7-4 than it is to go 4-7
     
  3. Jun 13, 2011 at 12:58 PM
    #3
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Depends on what you intend to tow. The harness does not necessarily dictate the trailer weight. There are small trailers with 7-pin harnesses. If you plan on buying a trailer with electronic brakes, wire the 7-pin. If you plan on buying one with no brakes or surge brakes, save some money and wire in a 4-pin. A lot of small utility trailers have no brakes at all. I only wired in a 4-pin and have yet to regret it but that's because it suits my needs. FWIW, I've got a 6 x 10 single axle trailer with no brakes and if I need something enclosed I rent a Uhaul with surge brakes.


    One thing to keep in mind, you can always buy a plug in adapter to dumb down your wiring from a 7-pin to a 4-pin, you can't go the other way.
     
  4. Jun 13, 2011 at 8:57 PM
    #4
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

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    alot of trailers, even if they arent loaded up to 3500, still have brakes, so you will need a 7 pin. You can always step down a 7 pin to a 4, good luck going from a 4 to a 7
     
  5. Jun 14, 2011 at 8:18 AM
    #5
    fvtalon

    fvtalon Well-Known Member

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    Only you can really decide if you ever will see the need to pull a 7 pin trailer. That said if you're asking the question you must think you might. Also for myself I'd rather have it and not use it than need it and not have it. What you could do is maybe put in a plug like this:

    http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM40975.html

    I put one in, it needs the matching harness with plug and pig tails. It's a nice plug though, no need for easily lost adapters, and the sealed doors keep the contacts nice and clean. You'd have lights and signals on the 4 pin and 7 pin, but understand that the 7 pin will side will not control any brakes until you add the extra wiring and a brake controller. In a pinch you could pull say a lightly loaded larger trailer on the 7 pin though. It's not ideal but it can be done. A bulky couch or mattress in a borrowed 12' enclosed trailer to keep it clean. No brake control but it will weigh less than a sturdy smaller open trailer with no brakes at all and a load of sod/top soil/gravel.

    Sure it's not really ideal to have a 7 pin plug without all the wiring but really, a brand new off the lot Tacoma with tow package has 7 pin wiring and no brake control until you add a brake controller too.
     

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