Trailer lights

[Supermike]

Gotta 'nuther one...

I have what appears to be a pre-wired 4-Way Round trailer adapter integrated into my step bumper on the CS, behind a fixed aluminum connector (you know, flip up the cap, there it is). Of course... nothing uses 4-way round anymore, as far as I can tell.

I would like to be able to use this if necessary. I have found a "4-Way Round to 4-Wire Flat Trailer Adapter" that is described as a "Pre-Wired Vehicle to Trailer Wiring Adapter that Adapts a 4-Way Round to a 4-Wire Flat Flexible Adapter". Pictures here:

http://www.rjays.com/Rjays_electrical/t ... tors-1.htm
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm ... goryID=284

As far as I call tell, that's the right deal. But before I spend money on shipping, does anyone know where to get these locally? Or do you think if I go in Autozone or Advance or O'Reilly they can get it ordered in? I found one at Advance Auto, but it's online only through "PartsAmerica" as Part Number: 47465.

Is there a way I can test to see if these even work before I make the switch? Or, should I just use my money to replace the 4-way round with something that has both the round adapter and a flat adapter wired in, like this one:

http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/6 ... cket,20043

Can someone help me out here...? I don't really understand trailer wiring that well (round vs. flat). I'd like to have the flat so I can use other accessories like a hitch-cover brake light.

Thanks!!

[fordman]

yes you can get those locally. i have one that fits my 6 prong large round plug. it adapts to four flat or the four small round plug. i got mine at a hrawre type of store. well its a mix kind of place . they sell clothes hay lanw mower chain saws almost everything. except what you really want. do you have some sort of farm store? that basically what this place is. itsd like tsc. tractor supply company. it was called town and country. its now called orchelins.

[Thunderfoot]

You should be able to get any local parts store to get it for you or any RV places in town or even check Walmart if you have one there... Rental places like U-Haul or maybe even Tates Rents (equipment rental places) would have them.
I would also take a "Test Light" and check the plug you have on the truck to be sure it works Ok first and also be sure it is not all corroded. Corrosion is one of the main problems with those style of connectors...

Hope this helps...

[Supermike]

Thanks... I'll hit it with my test light and see if I can get anything. It doesn't LOOK corroded, but we all know that doesn't mean much sometimes.

There are no Tractor Supplies around, but I think there is an orchelins. I may just try checking out Advance or Autozone. I know there's a uhaul, but it's pretty weak. I guess they might have something like this in the back, though. There's a "Camping World", but their website doesn't list such a thing. I may just call around, but I'll try the light first to see if it's even worth my time.

[Supermike]

Update on this:

I picked up a 4-way round to 4-flat adapter at Autozone on my way home yesterday afternoon. It only cost me $9, so that wasn't bad.

When I got home, I turned on the tail lights and hit the prongs with my test light... it worked! I then put something heavy down on the brake and checked the brake lights and signals.... they also worked!

I then proceeded to try and install the adapter. Think it was easy? Think again! That SOB would not go in for ANYTHING. Now I know why no-one uses them anymore! Everything looked fine, but I could not figure out why it would not go in. I farted with it for nearly an hour before I decided to give up, but then decided to give it one last shot. I pushed with all I had, and FINALLY got it to go in! But then it would not test out, so I had to pull the adapter back out and take it apart. The internal connectors had pushed in some, so I pulled them back out and shoved it in again, knowing everything was lined up now. Tested it out, and it works!! Woohoo!

Now I just need to get one of these:

http://www.trucknvans.com/LED-Hitch-Bra ... cr017f.htm
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-OEMTC114~CR- ... medium=ppc

I can't tell if those are the same or not... which one do ya'll like best? One is the one with the ovals, the other one lights up kinda pinkish.

[Supermike]

Well, this somewhat got documented in another thread... I had installed a 4-round to 4-flat adapter, but it didn't fit the poles right and was thus not grounding properly. That was causing the blinkers to quit working when I pressed down on the brakes. I first thought it was the jumper I installed to keep the parking lights on with the headlights, but it turned out to be the adapter.

Anyhow, I decided to take apart the adapter, which left me with a nice, but expensive 4-flat pigtail/adapter. I mapped everything out, then crawled up under the truck. Holy Jebus, whoever owned this truck before did some crackpot wiring! I clipped the old 4-round adapter, cleaned up the old splices, then connected my adapter with wire crimps. Then I wrapped everything up with electrical tape.

End result... no problems with the blinkers, and I can now use my hitch light, which I managed to pick up from Meijer for $20 on sale (same as those linked above)! It looks really nice on the truck... glows a soft blue with the tail lights, then lights up a bright pinkish red with the brakes. It flashes with the blinkers, but that's no biggie... could be helpful, actually.

Thanks for the advice, folks!


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