Trailer lights plug - R-pod Owners Forum

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Senior Member

Joined: 31 Aug 2018
Location: Manistee, MI
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Posts: 345

Topic: Trailer lights plug
Posted: 10 Aug 2020 at 7:51am

In your original post you said that a lot of the black rubber was worn away and you didn't know if the medal had been effected, correct? If that is the case are you describing the "plug" or has the wire itself on the trailer lost some of its black rubber? If the black rubber on the wire itself has been worn down due to dragging if that is the case then that will also have to be checked and or repaired as needed. I also would think that any reputable auto repair shop could do the work you need done.

Jay

179/2019

offgrid

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Posted: 10 Aug 2020 at 6:41am

termoinsals. Never heard of 'em either. Are they some kinda fancy bath salts? LOL

EchoGale, there has to be some way for your brake controller to be adjusted to provide the the right amount of braking action from the trailer. That is generally done with a manual control and the parking lot process I referred to. You can also use the manual control to stop mild trailer sway if you were to ever experience that. I've never seen a brake controller without a manual control either. How did you get it set it up to begin with?

Podwerks, you are right that you have to be careful when wiring up a connector. But, as long as you don't get the ground connection screwed up nothing bad will happen. Its just annoying because your lights will be messed up till you get it right. I just had that happen to me on my old horse trailer, the connector was old and cracked and fell out, by the time I got home it was just bare wires. The color codes couldn't be used, its a 1980's European trailer. The multimeter can be used to get the ground connection right, after that it was trial and error.

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

podwerkz

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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 10:48pm

The reason I urged the OP to have the plug replaced by a 'pro' is because, if she is unfamiliar with this stuff (she is) and messes something up in the wiring (it could happen) then bad things might occur.

Its an easy fix for some of us, but for others, not so much.

And yes, I'm also curious about the brake controller with no manual settings.

r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

StephenH

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 10:15pm

Originally posted by EchoGale

Lol...you guys have way too much confidence in me. I've had the multi meter for a year and a half and only recently learned used it to test voltage in my battery (I couldn't figure out how it works with all those cryptic symbols and stuff) i certainly couldn't use it to do any part of this. I've never even heard the word termoinsals; so, no, I can't get to them (it?). Believe me, I've been thrifty since before it was cool but sometimes it's worth paying someone with skills.

I do need a little more help, though, on figuring out if my brakes are working. I do not have a "manual slide" on a brake controller my brake controller is built into my computer system.

Please refresh my memory. What tow vehicle do you have? I can't imaging any trailer brake system controller, whether after market or factory installed, not having some form of manual control.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

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Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
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Posts: 1446

Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 10:02pm

Unless you have bare metal showing in the core of the plug, and that metal is visibly scraped away, the plug may still be perfectly usable. Two tests: plug it in and see if all of the lights do what they're supposed to do, and see if it will physically stay plugged in, assuming you plug it in correctly.

2010 176
FJ Cruiser

GlueGuy

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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 9:01pm

+1 or 2 or 3 to what the others have said. Take it to O'Reilly's or Pep Boys or almost anywhere and they can wire it up for you.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

EchoGale

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Joined: 10 Mar 2019
Location: FL
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Posts: 463

Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 8:57pm

Lol...you guys have way too much confidence in me. I've had the multi meter for a year and a half and only recently learned used it to test voltage in my battery (I couldn't figure out how it works with all those cryptic symbols and stuff) i certainly couldn't use it to do any part of this. I've never even heard the word termoinsals; so, no, I can't get to them (it?). Believe me, I've been thrifty since before it was cool but sometimes it's worth paying someone with skills.

I do need a little more help, though, on figuring out if my brakes are working. I do not have a "manual slide" on a brake controller my brake controller is built into my computer system.

Julie

StephenH

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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 8:40pm

+1. You can get a replacement connector at Walmart in their RV section of the automotive department as well. They really are not hard to replace. Don't wait for a shop to do it. You would end up paying a whole lot more than you would if you do it yourself. Offgrid's advice about moving one wire at a time is good if you can get to the termoinsals on your original plug. If you have to cut the wire off, you can still do it, but a multimeter will be handy to test which wire is hich in the old connector so you can match the colors for your new connector.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

offgrid

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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 7:07pm

Go to an empty parking lot and use the manual slide lever on your brake controller. See if it can stop the rig without using the brake pedal.

If you can’t find anyone to fix it for you go to any auto parts store or big box hardware place, get a new 7 way trailer connector and rewire it yourself. Do one wire at a time to be sure you don’t get them crossed up. You will need a wire cutter/stripper and a screwdriver. I’ve had my connector fall out too on one of my trailers, you’re not alone. 😜

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

EchoGale

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Posted: 09 Aug 2020 at 6:19pm

Thanks...and thanks for the reminder to check everything. How can I tell that the brakes are working?

Julie