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Old 09-05-2012, 06:18 PM   #61
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I had a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee when I started with my Sunny. I had the local RV dealer mount and wire in my brake controller because I knew nothing about those things then. Your '03 Jeep GC may be similar to my '00. I did have the factory towing option with the round 7 pin blade connector under the back bumper but there was no "quick connect" under the dash like my '08 Toyota 4Runner came with for the controller. I had to really dig around in the wiring bundle on the driver's side kick panel to find the factory installed blue wire that went to the 7 pin connecter. A friend at work had a "tone sniffer" used for telephone work to trace wires and we did find the blue wire using the "sniffer". The installer at the RV dealer tapped into the fuse panel that was under the bottom left side of the dash to get the 12 volts for the controller and he tapped into the brake switch under the dash for the connection that "activates" the controller when you press the brake pedal.

Hope this helps a little.

Note - The connector under the bumper has 6 blades and one pin in the center so some people call it a 6 pin connector.
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Old 09-05-2012, 06:27 PM   #62
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John, I posted photos of the connectors and adapters in my photo library
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Old 09-05-2012, 09:29 PM   #63
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Hi Kit,

I saw you pics. That helps. What you have on the back of the truck is what is called a 7 wire receptacle. As Gene stated there are 6 blades in a circle and one in the center being the 7th.

I looked at the adapter you have. If the smaller round 6 pin ends fits your camper, as it may be with an older camper, now we understand the adapter part. Just there are no flat connectors as refereed to in the towing world.

I personally would not use the adapter especially if you say it is loose. Reason is the trailer brakes. If that connecter fails to make contact over a bump and the brake connection does not make, then that can be a problem trying to stop the truck as the truck brakes are the only thing left now.

They do sell a 7 wire plug that you can either splice onto the camper cord or buy a new cord with the 7 wire plug molded on the end.

Here is a 7 way cord with the plug on the end.
7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector, 8' Long Hopkins Wiring H20046

Here is just the plug
Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End Pollak Wiring PK12706

That should fix your trailer plug situation.


You did not answer about the fire wall questions but I'm assuming you are trying to hook up the brake controller. What Gene described is what I was going to suggest which is why I asked.

The blue brake wire should be wired from the back of the truck to the under dash area already. The hard part is finding where they put it.... If a member who has been through this before and can post a pic this can narrow the hunt.

I found this thread on the Jeep forum that might help

Need help please on installing the electric trailer brake adapter harness - JeepForum.com

It is hard to tell exactly if the 2003 GC has a plug or not for the blue brake wire. The power wire, you might need to go direct to the battery with a non 10 awg wire. I do not know if there is 20 amps available spare under your dash.

Do you have some one to help you with this our are you going to give it a try? The end goal is pretty straight forward, just finding the right tie in spots is the hard part.

I am going to be out camping for the next 4 days so it might be a bit before I can respond. Others here I'm sure can help out.

Good luck

John
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Old 09-06-2012, 08:42 AM   #64
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Try spraying the connectors with WD40, it has worked wonders on every intermittent connection I have had but if pulling on the cable causes it to fall out then you need to rewire it to a new plug as John noted.

I wish I had a picture of my Jeep connections because it was not easy to find the blue wire that the factory left in that bundle under the left side of the dashboard.
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Old 09-06-2012, 09:10 PM   #65
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Gene

That link I posted above had a pic of it. See if the pic matched where yours was.

This one Need help please on installing the electric trailer brake adapter harness - JeepForum.com

Read down, it's long post with many pics

John
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Old 09-07-2012, 07:29 PM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnB View Post
That is it John, the picture in post 7 has the blue wire where I found mine hidden in the back of the bundle. I pulled it out so the guy installing it would be able to get to it.
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Old 09-21-2012, 08:56 AM   #67
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OK, now the brake controller is installed and its time to practice my turns and parking and backing up. This weekend a friend of mine will help me with that.

Regarding weight distribution. I'm thinking that the WD hitch I bought is way too heavy. How do I know when there are no markings on the parts?
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Old 12-03-2012, 06:55 PM   #68
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Ok, as of today, December 3rd. I have the WD hitch and the brake controller and I see that the installer connected the BC incorrectly. The symptom is that when I hook up the lights the brakes lock. So that seems to indicate he hooked the blue brake wire to the hot red wire. Can I fix that myself under the dashboard?
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Old 12-03-2012, 07:13 PM   #69
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Hi all, here's a look at my "sweet ride" T1850 hooked up to my "cherry baby". At this time there were no lights hooked up yet, and the WD hitch was not connected yet. I hooked it up to practice driving it in an empty parking lot before the snows come in and I have to store it for the winter.
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Old 12-03-2012, 09:53 PM   #70
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Hi Kit,

Cute looking setup!

I can see we need to help you get the WD bars to work right for you. The front of the Jeep is rising and the rear has some sag. These are standard adjustments to make this all better.

From the pic, it looks like you have the camper all cleaned up. Looked real nice.

John
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Old 12-11-2012, 08:49 AM   #71
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So the problem with the brake controller locking up the brakes when I plugged the trailer into the TV was that the adapter I bought last year didn't work properly. It was a 6pin to 7 pin adapter. Now that I got a new one, everything works correctly. Going to have the trailer winterized today, and I'm looking for suggestions for outdoor storage solutions while I'm unable to spend the $150. or so for a winter cover. I have a great space but no cover, and I've been reading that tarps aren't the way to go. Any cheap solutions? I'm in Colorado so I expect lots of snow, but can keep an eye on the trailer.
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Old 12-12-2012, 07:10 AM   #72
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Kit.....

If you don't want to spring for a quality cover, and can't store it inside or under a shelter, I believe....

==> You are absolutely right to avoid the cheap tarp option.
==> I suggest you clean and then coat the roof with a good UV protectant (protect-all, etc.)
==> Clean, polish, and coat the sides of your RV with a good protectant.
==> Have UV/protected vent covers installed, and the leave the vents under them open a small amount to assure you don't end up with moisture build-up inside.

And I'd take the battery inside somewhere and put it on a decent float-charger.

Frank
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