Trailer light ?

[Ski]

Not sure who's boat I will ever tow on tournament day as I am a co-angler,

should I get a 4 pin or 5 pin for trailer lights????

[MN Fisher]

4-pin is standard...but if you ever tow a larger boat with trailer brakes - then you need a 7-pin.

 

I've got a 7-pin - factory installed with the tow package - and an adapter that changes it to 4-pin for my current canoe trailer.

[jbsoonerfan]

I have one of each, but this one would be what I would get if I were in your shoes.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Super-repairman-Round-Trailer-Adapter/dp/B07RG41RTQ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3MM77NMFWZ0NT&dchild=1&keywords=4+pin+5+wire+trailer+plug&qid=1610637924&sprefix=4+pin+and+5+pin+wire%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-7

[J Francho]

I've plugged a 4 pin into a 5 pin in a pinch, or maybe it was the other way around. ?

That adapter above looks like the ticket.

[gim]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

4-pin is standard...but if you ever tow a larger boat with trailer brakes - then you need a 7-pin.

 

My parent's Warrior is 21 feet tandem axle fiberglass with brakes and still has a 4 pin.

[J Francho]

Those are probably surge brakes, not electric brakes.

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

My parent's Warrior is 21 feet tandem axle fiberglass with brakes and still has a 4 pin.

 

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Those are probably surge brakes, not electric brakes.

Ya - surge brakes are auto-activated within the braking system. Electrical brakes use the other pins to activate them - which is what the 7-pin connector is for.

[Crazyju]

Every surge brake I have had had 5 pin. The last pin is to lock them out when in reverse.

[J Francho]

The piston is in the tongue, and the weight of the rig compresses it when you brake the tow vehicle.  At least that's how it worked on my Bullet.

Just now, Crazyju said:

Every surge brake I have had had 5 pin. The last pin is to lock them out when in reverse.

Maybe his are disabled?  I disabled mine.  Weren't necessary for a 1400 lb. hull.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Crazyju said:

Every surge brake I have had had 5 pin. The last pin is to lock them out when in reverse.

 

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Maybe his are disabled?  I disabled mine.  Weren't necessary for a 1400 lb. hull.

Long as you don't act like Richard Petty when backing up you won't put enough pressure on the piston to activate the brakes.

[WRB]

Surge Rakes are not a problem backing down hill like launching but you need a lock out backing up hill like your driveway.

Adapter is the way to go.

Tom

[slonezp]

If your truck has a 7 pin receptacle, you can get 7 to 4 pin and 7 to 5 pin adaptors

[GaryH]

9 hours ago, Ski said:

Not sure who's boat I will ever tow on tournament day as I am a co-angler,

should I get a 4 pin or 5 pin for trailer lights????

 

You will need at least a 5 pin if your backing up some of the newer bass boats. I know without it your not going to back up my Skeeter. The 5th pin closes off the valve that allows fluid to the brakes when the back up lights activate on the trailer. 

 

[J Francho]

I'm just curious why you are towing a boat if your a non boater?  I don't think I'd let some rando tow my boat, but that's me. 

[Deephaven]

10 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

4-pin is standard...but if you ever tow a larger boat with trailer brakes - then you need a 7-pin.

 

I've got a 7-pin - factory installed with the tow package - and an adapter that changes it to 4-pin for my current canoe trailer.

My big boat only has a 5 pin.

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

 

You will need at least a 5 pin if your backing up some of the newer bass boats. I know without it your not going to back up my Skeeter. The 5th pin closes off the valve that allows fluid to the brakes when the back up lights activate on the trailer. 

 

This is an alternative if you don't have the 5th pin.  Can put it on when you have to back up.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZGM867K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Deephaven said:

My big boat only has a 5 pin.

As Mr Franco noted - you probably have surge brakes which are activated on the trailer instead of through the electrical connection - pin #5 is to disengage them when you're backing up...hooked to the backup light.

[Deephaven]

And I posted the work around for it

[Ski]

11 hours ago, J Francho said:

I'm just curious why you are towing a boat if your a non boater?  I don't think I'd let some rando tow my boat, but that's me. 

I have friends with boats.

[GaryH]

4 , 5, 7  Heck. I can't find that dang plug.....

 

 

 

[TOXIC]

My truck has a 7 pin round on it.  That allows me to tow 4, 5 pin and electric brake trailer setups.  For the 4 and 5 pin I have separate adapters that go from 7 pin round to 4 or 5 pin flat.  And as has been said, the 5th pin in a 5 pin setup is for the lockout solenoid that energizes when your reverse lights com on so you can reverse uphill when you have surge brakes.  Also of note, it is against the law here in Virginia to disable any trailer that has brakes factory installed and if your  trailer has brakes (either surge or electric) you have to get it inspected every year.  It’s a pain but it’s the law..

[ghost123123]

I converted my surge brakes to electrical. Smoother braking, doesn’t hamper backing uphill, adjustable and just a better system all the way around. Got tired of the jarring when the surge brake would activate the braking system. For all the money invested in a boat and fishing gear, it was a cheap investment to safeguard myself, passengers and equipment. Just my two cents worth.