Need Help with severed trailer-to-TV Cord

[bob213]

Glad dealer is helping out. Once repaired think about something for storage. This keeps your plug off the ground and out of the elements. Even if you forget to plug it in at least you won't be dragging it down the road.
https://www.rvautoparts.com/AP-Produ...UaAs5vEALw_wcB

[JPin AZ]

If it happened on the way home from the dealer I would ask for assistance on this one. Other posts about TV (tow vehicle) fuses are definitely a concern depending on how new it is and the manufacturer of TV. Older trucks did not have separate fuses for these circuits

[DouglasReid]

you might try hanging a Cord Loop from your hitch down and run your cable through the loop. The loop would keep it from dragging on the ground while allowing it to swing freely to keep this from happening again.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by D W

Here is a "typical schematic" that may be of help to you:

Originally Posted by dward51

If you put the new cord on yourself, be aware that a number of aftermarket cords do not use the same color code scheme as in a lot of illustrations or the US standard. I bought some off of eBay and the colors of the wires were totally different. I ended up having to use a meter to "pin out" the wires to figure out which mated with which in my tow vehicle outlet. Apparently the use a different color scheme on a lot of the China replacement cords.

Sounds like the cord might be a little short or did it get caught between the hitch and part of the trailer in that tight turn?

Be aware that the trailers wiring may also not use the same "standard" color scheme that's shown in D W's pic. I wired 4-pin trailer hitch connector into my J-box so it would power the lights on my bike rack. I found that the trailers running/brake/stop light wiring colors did NOT match the colors shown in DW's "typical schematic." These manufacturers often use whatever color they have laying around, or whatever color the guy happens to grab.

Take the cut off piece of your umbilical cord and use a multi-meter to verify wire colors against pin location. Then you'll know which pin feeds which color wire when you get into the J-box. When you pull the cover off the J-box, check to see if the trailer wires attached to the umbilical wires are the same or a different color. I'd strongly suggest you take some good pics and/or write down everything BEFORE you disconnect anything in the J-box.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by JPin AZ

If it happened on the way home from the dealer I would ask for assistance on this one. Other posts about TV (tow vehicle) fuses are definitely a concern depending on how new it is and the manufacturer of TV. Older trucks did not have separate fuses for these circuits

First point already covered. See post #18.

[jad1978]

So the dealer sent my the wiring harness. Should I trust that the colors will just match up?

[Bama Rambler]

Originally Posted by jad1978

So the dealer sent my the wiring harness. Should I trust that the colors will just match up?

No, you should not!

They may indeed match up, but I would test them just to be sure. A few minutes with a multimeter may save you a lot of headache.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

No, you should not!

They may indeed match up, but I would test them just to be sure. A few minutes with a multimeter may save you a lot of headache.

X2. As I said before, take pics before you disconnect anything.

[Wolverine 1945]

Brings back bad memories,
We were jocking our TT around on our property in the North woods years ago,
When I saw a large spark in the rear view mirror, the TT Cable had gotten caught under the ball receptacle, and ripped it nearly off !!!
I sat on a bucket rewiring it for at least 2 hours the next day !
Then found I had fixed all but Powder wire to TT, I had blown a truck fuse, or maybe it was a breaker, it was not one that I carried, so off to the local FORD dealer, where they replaced it !!! I planed on replacing the Pig Tail when we got home, because of my ugly repair, just glad I had more that 1 roll of ele tape ! I never did replace Pig Tail
traded it in a couple of years later !!!

[5picker]

If the dealer sent you the very same umbilical cord as the one you are replacing, you may find that the colors may very well match up but I would not trust that to certain.

You've been given reference early on in this thread to what you need and what to test when replacing.
Make the smart choice and be certain.

[Wolverine 1945]

If you buy the Cable from the same dealer that you bough the TT from,,,
They may replace it for you ???
AS Good Dealer would !!!

[jad1978]

Unfortunatly my dealer is a hour away. I don't think it's a good idea to pull it with no lights or breaks...lol

[D W]

Originally Posted by jad1978

Unfortunatly my dealer is a hour away. I don't think it's a good idea to pull it with no lights or breaks...lol

You're right, that's not a good idea. If your lights worked correctly before the cord was severed then just follow the color connections at the J-Box. Wire it up and get 'er done. As the saying goes "you're burning daylight".

[wildcatter]

Most trailer wiring use standard colors, however I would not trust that. You can cut the sheathing back on both sides of the break if you can't see the colors clearly, get a notepad and draw out a wire map, verify what color goes to what pin on the 7-pin connector and then verify where each color goes to the block on the camper, take the new cable and verify what colors go to each pin on the 7 pin, hopefully they are the same color, if not document on your drawing the changes (I would use a different color pen so you don't get confused) that need to be made, it isn't hard but can be time consuming.

[jad1978]

Thanks everyone, I plan on tackling this project this weekend. I will let ya know how it goes. This place is great, being a first time TT owner I was pretty freaked out when I noticed the pigtail cut in half when I unhitched it. Thanks again everyone and bring on camping season!

[Wolverine 1945]

wildcatter nailed it !!!

[jad1978]

Pigtail has been installed, went without a hitch.(Pardon the pun)
Thanks everyone for your advice on this matter!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jad1978

Pigtail has been installed, went without a hitch.(Pardon the pun)
Thanks everyone for your advice on this matter!

Wonderful!
Thanks for reporting back.
Now... go out and enjoy!