Another boat trailer question

My boat trailer that I just bought has a 5 pin connector on it. I have a 7 to 4 pin adapter for my Tacoma. Can I or should I just use the 4 pin adapter or should I get a 7 to 5 pin.

I know the 5 pin usually has something to do with brakes and putting the trailer in reverse. Do I need the 5 pin for this reason or just as long as all brake and turn signals works it should be good.

 

i did some quick research on google and found

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]White - Ground​

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Brown - Running Lights[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yellow - Left Turn, plus Stop[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Green - Right Turn, plus Stop[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Blue[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] - Wire to the backup lights (this wire releases the brakes when backing up)
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it seems the blue wire for your backup lights is necessary if you have electric brakes, so that the trailer isn't on the brakes when you're backing it up when you press the brakes... makes sense so you don't jack-knife it. if you're not worried about back-up lights or you hitting the brakes too hard to cause it to jack-knife that i guess you don't need it.

what kind of boat are you rockin??
[/FONT]

 

does your trailer have surge brakes?

 

I found the same info searching the internet. Pretty sure my trailer does not have electric brakes. I don't even think there is a blue wire running through the trailer but it has a 5 pin connector. I have to double check when I get home today. I know all the lights work because I just had to reconnect the ground wire to the trailer and I checked all brake lights and turn signals.

I had to back it up into parking spot the other day with no problems but was on pretty level ground. I just recently bought a 2002 Monterey 180 Edge w/2003 Load rite trailer.

 

It's a single axle boat trailer so I would say "probably" but not 100% sure!

 

There are a few different senarios i can think of.
1. who ever manufactured the trailer uses 5 way plugs on all their trailers and the blue is not connected
2. the trailer is wired for brakes but doesn't have them installed
3. there are brakes you have never used them because you need a brake controller

if there are brakes on the trailer you might as well use them. get a 7way to 5 way adapter and get a brake controller.

 

it would also be easy to either put a 7way plug on your trailer or make an adapter using a 7way plug and 5way vehicle wire harness.

 

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/37385.html

 

Usually single axle trailers don't have brakes.You should be good with the 4 pin as long as all your lights work properly. Just make sure your trailer doesn't have brakes if you are gonna use the 4 pin.

 

I don't know where you are in Maryland. Bass Pro shop sells a 7-pin to 5-pin adapter. The 5th pin will keep the brakes from locking up when backing into down the ramp.

 

yea it seems the 5th wire would be to deactivate your electric brakes or to actuate your servo in the tongue (if you have that accessory) for surge/hyrdaulic trailer brakes. this will prevent your ball hitch from pushing on the master cylinder of the trailer brakes in the tongue. otherwise for surge brakes you have to manually set the pin to prevent your brakes activating on your trailer upon backing up your trailer. if you don't have electric brakes or the servo accessory for your tongue then you don't have any worries for that fifth wire. best of luck on that. on another note, what kind of boat do you have??

 

When I got home today I looked and no blue wire going through trailer and no brakes at all. The trailer is a Load Rite so I guess the probably wire all their trailers with 5 pin.

I already have two 7-5 converters so I'm good there. For those that are wondering I just bought a 2002 Monterey 180 Edge bowrider w/2003 trailer.

Thanks for all the help. I'm new to boating so I'm sure some more questions will come up in the future.

 

Surge brakes have a master cylinder in the tongue. Electrics have coils in the hub. Both have drum brakes.
Trailers with GVW over 1k lbs are supposed to have a braking system. The truck is only supposed to stop it's own loaded weight, not a trailer.
Make sure the hubs have no brakes before you rule out electrics.

 

sick boat!! i just bought an 88 imperial with an inboard volvo penta 4 banger. for a 4 cyl. it cruises. def. one of the best investments i've ever made, besides the tacoma. between the fun, fishing and just plain hanging out drinking some brews, it's great! enjoy the boat fun, i wish the lake would thaw out here alreadyyy.

 

depends on the state.

 

here you guys go.
http://www.toyota.com/pdfs/towguide_Part3.pdf