Need help just purchased a 17' Ft trailer 3200lbs and it has 7 pin connector. Do I have to have my 4 pin one replaced or can I get some kind of adapter? Also I also purchsed a brake control module not even sure if I needed it... any comments?

 

I have a tent trailer with the 7 pin connector, too. I found an adapter that will work at the local Kragen's auto parts store. It's a Hopkins Towing Solutions model 47185. It has a connector that plugs into your 4 pin and then provides both a 7 pin and 4 pin output. So, you have to mount it on your vehicle, plug it into your existing 4 pin and then you can plug either a 4 pin trailer or 7 pin trailer connector into it. It's pretty slick.

It also has leads for you to connect your charging and brake controller lines to so that you have full 7 pin functionality. There was another post a few weeks ago that indicated that the factory ran a blue wire from the front to the back that is meant for the brake controller. I seem to recall that it is accessible at the front if you take off the side panel down by the pedals. I don't know for sure that this is the intended purpose of the wire, but it would be worth doing a search and checking it out as it might save you from running an extra wire.

Definitely use your brake controller. At 3200 Lb, you definitely should be using trailer brakes. That is right at the limit of what you should be towing.

 

Do you have pics of the final install of the trailer connecter? I'm curious where exactly you mounted it. I'm looking for creative ideas on where to mount this adapter without risking it getting ripped off when wheeling? I just came back from Walmart where I bought the Hopkins 47185 but I would really like to find a spot where it won't get ripped of like the last one did. Maybe I'll mount it closer to the receiver for a bit more protection.

 

I installed the 7 Pin Factory harness on my JK and the Blue Wire is part of that harness. I doubt it would exist unless that harness was installed. I know for a fact that it is not a part of the 4 Pin Harness.

The Seven Pin Harness also connects a fairly hefty cable directly to the positive terminal on the battery as on of the 7 Pins provides +12v for power brakes and other higher power electrical requirements of larger trailers.

If you are planning on towing a heavier trailer, particularly one that makes use of a 7 Pin Connector, I highly recommend purchasing the Mopar Harness and installing it. The install only took about an hour and a half (although I didn't install a brake controller that would take a bit longer I imagine).

--Andy

 

I haven't mounted mine yet. The Jeep is in the shop right now getting a new rear bumper (Rock Hard) plus lift, tires, etc. I was waiting to get all that done before I figure out if I'm going to use it and how to mount it. I ripped one off of my XJ, so understand your concern.

I have the 2 door and it has a lower towing rating than the 4 door so I'm actually not sure if I'll be using it to tow my tent trailer or not. The adapter will let me try towing the trailer (by just kluging it in place) and see if I think it's safe before I make any modifications.