Need new trailer harness plug

Stupid location for that trailer harness on the underside of the hitch. So, mine was all damaged and I had no power from one of the pins, however above the plug I had power in the wire. So now I have to lop off the 7 pin and I'm thinking of dropping down to a 4 pin as all I ever tow is a Coleman Colorado, basically 1/2 a popup.
Has anyone done this? I'd like to know what's the best thing I can do to the 3 unused wires. I'm thinking of shrink wrapping the ends and zip tying them to the other wires.
Any suggestions? I should probably be able to splice right into another 4 pin end... Right?

 

Anyone?

 

You should just be able to cut the other wires and crimp on a 4 pin

 

I am considering going from 4 pin to 7 pin. Tried searching the towing bible and threads here with no such luck. Anyone have any experience or recommendations with this conversion?

 

Keep the 7 pin, RV plug. You may not need it but you can't advertise your truck as having the trailer package without the big, round plug.

There should be enough wire to relocate the plug to beside the lisince plate. You will need to make a template out of the original plug braket and make a cut out in the plastic bumper cover beside the plate. It will look a whole lot better and be completely protected from future damage.

The replacement plug can be found at amny places. I picked up my last one at walmart. Tractor supply or any farm type store has the plug. Usually about $25-$30.

Toyota finally got it right by moving the plug to the location I listed in the '14 model year.

 

In the future, I could always go back to a 7 pin. Until then, I'd really like to go down to a four pin. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

It is easy to do. You will just have to seperate and cap off 3 of the extra wires. There is an electric brake wire, the constant "hot" wire and the auxilary wire, wich is usually used for trailers with back up lights.

If you are any good with a meter and can solder and shrink wrap wires, you should be able to find wich wires you don't need. Cap off these so no water or dirt gets to them.

The other 4 will be running lights, right signal, left signal and ground. Brake lights use the same wires as turn signals.

You said you damaged the plug, but you had power to the wires befor the plug. Make sure you did not damage the relay that is located under the hood in the fuse box. When Toyota trailering harnesses get damaged, the potential for shorting wires is great. This will take out the relay that powers your running lights. do not get the running and constant hot wires confused. Its easy to check. the running lights wire will not be hot with the lights off and the key off. The constant hot will be reading 12 volts regardless of key position. Ask me how I know.

 

By the way, the 7 pin to flat 4 adapters are very cheap and they work very well. If it was me, the amount af labor and cost is pretty much a wash installing a 7 pin vs a flat 4. I would install the 7 pin and use the adapter. I dont see a reason for going to the trouble to install trailer light plugs twice. do it once and be done with it.

 

Why not just buy a 7 to 4 pin adapter? About 10.00 at the most at any auto parts store.

 

I ended up changing it over to a 4-pin. Again, all I tow is a tiny popup. I then ran the wiring up into the large left side cubby, and bought a 4-pin extension. It comes out of the cubby, goes down under the lower left of the tailgate and never even gets touched! All solid connections, shrink wrapped and then taped over and wrapped in that black plastic covering all zip tied and tucked over the frame, super anal retentive. If I ever worry about trading in or selling, it'll be $30 and I can make it a 7pin. This way I have it, there's no way backing into a snowbank or off roading to get to a nice campsite will ever touch the harness.

Works for me! Thanks all for the suggestions.