4-pin tow vehicle / 7-pin PUP?

[raising4daughters]

We have access to a used Dodge Grand Caravan with the factory tow prep package. Quick analysis says it should easily handle our 2007 1007 PUP which weighs around 2,000 lbs. loaded. We towed with a Town & Country without the factory tow package, just aftermarket hitch and items, before switching to a Trail Blazer, but the wife wants another minivan.

The challenge is that the trailer has a 7-pin round connector. Is there a simple 4-7 adaptor, or will I need to re-wire the van?

The trailer does NOT have trailer brakes, so near as I can tell, the only purposes for electrically connecting the trailer to the Ts are for (1) brake lights; (2) side and rear lights when TV lights are on; and (3) running the refrigerator.

Can I use this van without putting in much cost or effort?

[JFlightRisk]

Yes, this will get your 7 pin converted to 4.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-To...yABEgKzoPD_BwE

[Isaacs]

Originally Posted by raising4daughters

We have access to a used Dodge Grand Caravan with the factory tow prep package. Quick analysis says it should easily handle our 2007 1007 PUP which weighs around 2,000 lbs. loaded. We towed with a Town & Country without the factory tow package, just aftermarket hitch and items, before switching to a Trail Blazer, but the wife wants another minivan.

The challenge is that the trailer has a 7-pin round connector. Is there a simple 4-7 adaptor, or will I need to re-wire the van?

The trailer does NOT have trailer brakes, so near as I can tell, the only purposes for electrically connecting the trailer to the Ts are for (1) brake lights; (2) side and rear lights when TV lights are on; and (3) running the refrigerator.

Can I use this van without putting in much cost or effort?

Your refrigerator may cause a problem. A four pin connector is good only for the lights, there is no 12V supply running from the tow vehicle to the PUP.

Were you planning on running your refrigerator on 12V or propane? 12V will kill your PUP battery quickly. When the fridge is set to propane it probably uses no 12V at all--most of the small fridges have no control board, just a dial in the access area on the outside. If you light the propane it should stay lit for a long time while you drive; for some magical reason they don't blow out!

Or, if your trip is a few hours or less your could just make sure it's nice and cold when you leave and it will stay that way till you reach your destination--they're very well insulated.

[KCSA75]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Yes, this will get your 7 pin converted to 4.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reese-To...yABEgKzoPD_BwE

The link above converts the wrong way. Something like this is what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/Tow-Ready-203...+4+pin+adapter

[repacs0103]

You could also just cut off the 7 pin male on the trailer and wire on a 4 pin. That’s what I did on my old pop up as well as my boat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by KCSA75

The link above converts the wrong way. Something like this is what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/Tow-Ready-203...+4+pin+adapter

Sorry, read it fast and got dyslexic. The "no brakes" made me see the pop up side as 4 way.

[bankr63]

Are you certain your '07 doesn't have electric trailer brakes? Our '08 came with them standard, but maybe that was an '08 upgrade. They certainly improved the handling of the trailer as we tended to load ours to the max 2500 lbs. regularly.

[raising4daughters]

100% sure our 2007 1007 doesn't have trailer brakes. I've pulled the wheels off several times to do my own bearing packs. Have changed the wheels twice. There's no place on the axle or wheels for brakes on ours, and it's the original axle.