socal4dr

so im planning on moving up to norcal this summer
i have a 2008 unlimted x and an aftermarket tow hitch

i have a few questions

what is the difference betwen a 4pin and a 7pin?
what is needed for a basic trailer?

ive searched the search tool but still am not sure about these questions

thanks

bubblehead

The pins all depend on what your trailer connection is. My jeep came with the tow package but it was a four pin flat and my trailer needs the seven pin (it has trailer brakes and a dc power source) so even though I had a connector I also had to wire an additional connector. I went with the mopar connector because all of the wiring plugs into the jeep lighting connectors and for the seven pin version and I think it has the extra cabling required to run to the brake controller and the battery terminal. Its a pretty easy install and a not that expensive.

chasew

where are you getting your trailer from if its uhaul then it depends on the size of the trailer small trailers 4 pin large 7 pin

socal4dr

ok so if it doesnt have brakes or a dc source like a battery i am fine with the 4 pin

out of curriosity what is electrical works on the 4 pin vs 7?

socal4dr

would this one worK??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...ayphotohosting

its 25 vs the mopar at 50

bubblehead

It looks similar to what I used. I know with the seven pin it needs to be specifically for the four door because of the length of the cables to the front. I don't know about the four pin. I would still check the trailer to make sure it isn't a four pin round connector. If it is I think they make adapters to go from the flat to round and sell them at auto parts stores

dmhines

I think you need the 7 pin if you plan on towing a trailer with brakes ....

CerOf

Only if it has electric brakes. Will need brake controller too.

U-Haul uses surge brakes, so flat 4-way is all you need.

Smopho

A 7pin provides 12V alternator output to the Trailer to charge the trailers onboard battery. It also has a power feed for electric trailer brakes. Not sure about Jeeps, but Dodge trucks have a connector mounted to the bottom of the steering column behind the dash that plugs into a trailer brake controller. The controller is needed to control the amount of braking voltage fed out the 7pin connector to the trailer. The controller has built in accelerometer sensors and a gain control to modulate braking voltage.

HG07JKRubi

You could install a plug that has both the 4 and 7 pin connections. This one came from Walmart in the $20 range.