Trailer Wiring

[AJCFLA68]

Got a question on trailer wiring. I added the Quadratec hitch, but now need the wiring. I may actually pay to get it done to ensure it's done properly. I know it's fairly simple, but rather get it done....The wiring that typically comes for the Wranglers are 4 pin and not sure what a boat trailer has (4 or 7). I've read if I go with the 4 pin certain things won't work, just the lights, which I guess is all I need it for, but don't want to leave any features out if might need later. I know I can add an adapter from 4 pin to 7; does that take care of any issues? Also, being that it's a small 16 ft Skiff (Continental trailer), should I get a ball mount with a 2 inch drop or straight? My 2025 JL is stock. Thanks

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[Rhinebeck01]

Got a question on trailer wiring. I added the Quadratec hitch, but now need the wiring. I may actually pay to get it done to ensure it's done properly. I know it's fairly simple, but rather get it done....The wiring that typically comes for the Wranglers are 4 pin and not sure what a boat trailer has (4 or 7). I've read if I go with the 4 pin certain things won't work, just the lights, which I guess is all I need it for, but don't want to leave any features out if might need later. I know I can add an adapter from 4 pin to 7; does that take care of any issues? Also, being that it's a small 16 ft Skiff (Continental trailer), should I get a ball mount with a 2 inch drop or straight? My 2025 JL is stock. Thanks

@AJCFLA68

I will address the "should I get a ball mount with a 2 inch drop or straight?" part of your post..

What, I learned after my first 20 years of towing is that it is
a wise move, early on, to invest in a decent Aluminum adjustable hitch.

Over the years, you will acquire and use, borrow and use, or whatever many different trailers.

Over the years,... you end up buying different rise/drop hitches... a 2", a 4", a 6", etc., and you end up with a pile of hitches and over the long haul spend a lot of $ on a scad of hitches.

Also... Depending on your trailer, the height of the trailer tongue can differ by inches depending on, if the trailer is loaded or empty, etc... or if you have passengers / equipment, etc. in the back of the tow vehicle... Today, you may need a 1 inch drop and tomorrow you may need a 2 or 4", 6', 8 or 10" drop.. or you may need a 2", 3", or whatever rise....

With that said.... I encourage you to buy a decent aluminum, adjustable hitch. Yes, a decent one will cost you $150+- but you will always have a proper hitch when you are dealing with whatever trailer you are dealing with. Think today, tomorrow and years to come and how your trailering needs will change.

Buy an adjustable hitch and that one time purchase will go through life with you so to speak.

If you carry a adjustable hitch with you, you will always be prepared for whatever trailer you back up to ..... regardless of your tow vehicle.

IMPORTANT: Whatever you buy, you need to assure it extends ..... out just past the Jeep's spare tire,


.

 

[AJCFLA68]

Thanks and great advice!!! Yeah, I was actually looking at adjustable ones....shocked by the price, but that's what prompted me to ask...rather spend once. Thank you

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Thanks and great advice!!! Yeah, I was actually looking at adjustable ones....shocked by the price, but that's what prompted me to ask...rather spend once. Thank you

@AJCFLA68

I forgot to mention... Having an aluminum hitch is a real plus, especially when you live in a tropical locale like Florida.

An aluminum hitch will give you years and years of rust free use. Salt Life, Sun, Sand, Water and such have very minimal negative impact on an aluminum hitch. Not so with painted, steel hitches..

Hint: Keep your hitch coated with a protectant. After use, wipe off hitch with a damp cloth before you store it. This helps to thwart corrosion from salt, etc..

 

[azjl#3]

rust free, not corrosion free

I would recommend investing in Mopar wiring harness for jeep, pricey but easy install, plug and play.

 

[Porthole]

I would recommend investing in Mopar wiring harness for jeep, pricey but easy install, plug and play.

I believe I have the MOPAR towing harness in my JL. It may be plug and play, but it doesn't play nice.

My 7 way connector has constant voltage to the AUX and brake circuits (key off or on).

 

[johnny619]

Got a question on trailer wiring. I added the Quadratec hitch, but now need the wiring. I may actually pay to get it done to ensure it's done properly. I know it's fairly simple, but rather get it done....The wiring that typically comes for the Wranglers are 4 pin and not sure what a boat trailer has (4 or 7). I've read if I go with the 4 pin certain things won't work, just the lights, which I guess is all I need it for, but don't want to leave any features out if might need later. I know I can add an adapter from 4 pin to 7; does that take care of any issues? Also, being that it's a small 16 ft Skiff (Continental trailer), should I get a ball mount with a 2 inch drop or straight? My 2025 JL is stock. Thanks

I had my wiring installed by u-haul- complete with parts, 4 and 7 pin, was around $200. Well worth it to have it done by people who do this type of work every day!

 

[Jeep Wick]

Thanks and great advice!!! Yeah, I was actually looking at adjustable ones....shocked by the price, but that's what prompted me to ask...rather spend once. Thank you

I got a Gen Y adjustable drop on Amazon, it was the most reasonably priced and rated for 7,000 lbs. For the harness, Curt makes a nice 4 way pretty cheap, but you still need to run power under the Jeep to the front. Spend a little more and get the Mopar harness with 4 and 7 way, then you can add a brake controller in the future.

 

[GATORB8]

Do you have surge brakes on the boat trailer? If so, I'd expect it to have a 5 pin. I wouldn't expect electric brakes on a single axle boat trailer, so it would be a 4 pin otherwise.

A boat trailer 5 pin is a 4 pin plus a reverse light signal to lock out the surge brakes for when you back up.

I've got a B&W adjustable on my truck, but wouldn't drop that kind of coin on the Jeep. Curt has a $60 adjustable available at parts stores.

For a fixed drop, measure to the top of the hitch tube. A standard trailer is ~18" plus squat, so you'll want a drop equal to that measurement minus probably 19" to allow for squat (so if the top of the tube is 21", you'd want a 2" drop). Smaller boat trailers may have lower tongue heights, so I would measure the trailer level before buying a drop hitch.

 

[GATORB8]

Figured I'd look real quick since you listed the trailer manufacturer. Guessing it's this one?
https://continentaltrailers.com/aluminum-trailers/skiff-models-aluminum-trailers/

If so, no brakes, so should be 4 pin.

 

[AJCFLA68]

Single axle definitely and no brakes. Ended up ordering the BulletProof ball mount for $119. I like all black. I'll try to grease it and if I have to touch up later, I'm ok with that. Not sure if it has the breakaway as I asked a few times and no answer, but I'm not gonna push it since they are trying to get me a trailer that fits inside my gates. If I can get it inside my yard, I won't need the breakaway feature. I priced UHaul for the wiring and yeah it's about $200. I might just get that done. I'm also checking with a few local places that specialize in accessories for Jeeps and other lifted trucks...I think they might do a great job, but will see what they charge. Hoping to give them some business so when I'm ready for tires and a lift I have a connection.

2 inch Light Duty Drop Hitch

 

[Jeep Wick]

Single axle definitely and no brakes. Ended up ordering the BulletProof ball mount for $119. I like all black. I'll try to grease it and if I have to touch up later, I'm ok with that. Not sure if it has the breakaway as I asked a few times and no answer, but I'm not gonna push it since they are trying to get me a trailer that fits inside my gates. If I can get it inside my yard, I won't need the breakaway feature. I priced UHaul for the wiring and yeah it's about $200. I might just get that done. I'm also checking with a few local places that specialize in accessories for Jeeps and other lifted trucks...I think they might do a great job, but will see what they charge. Hoping to give them some business so when I'm ready for tires and a lift I have a connection.

2 inch Light Duty Drop Hitch

I see it has a 6" drop, which should work well for you. If you have a lift or an XR, you'll need even more. I use all of the 9.5" on this Gen Y. Made in the USA is a bonus.

 

[AJCFLA68]

No lift…the 6 would have been too much IMO. Considered the 3 or 4 inch drop/rise but having just ordered a new boat, I don’t see the wife letting me lift it or get rims/tires…yet

 

[GATORB8]

Single axle definitely and no brakes. Ended up ordering the BulletProof ball mount for $119. I like all black. I'll try to grease it and if I have to touch up later, I'm ok with that. Not sure if it has the breakaway as I asked a few times and no answer, but I'm not gonna push it since they are trying to get me a trailer that fits inside my gates. If I can get it inside my yard, I won't need the breakaway feature. I priced UHaul for the wiring and yeah it's about $200. I might just get that done. I'm also checking with a few local places that specialize in accessories for Jeeps and other lifted trucks...I think they might do a great job, but will see what they charge. Hoping to give them some business so when I'm ready for tires and a lift I have a connection.

2 inch Light Duty Drop Hitch

Just a heads up, a "breakaway" normally refers to trailer emergency brakes (it uses a battery to fire electric trailer brakes if the trailer comes unhitched and breaks away from the tow vehicle). You're looking for a folding/swing tongue.

I don't see that as an option from continental. There are kits available that you could cut and install.

EDIT: There is another option since you have a bolt on tongue, you could shorten the trailer tongue. In general a shorter trailer wheel base is more difficult to back up, though, and you'd want to be cognoscente of spare tire clearance.

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