Hi, I have just acquired a used Jayco that is fitted with a 12 pin connector (and Andersen Plug) but my car has a 7 pin. I would prefer to keep my car as is for other trailer use and would like to change the van connector myself. The adapters I have seen at $80 seem a bit steep. My question is " Can I just fit a 7 pin connector to my van & what should I look out for?"
It depends how the van is wired . better option is change the car to a 12 pin, your 7 pin trailer plug will plug into a 12 pin socket no problem, i am assuming your trailer has a 7 pin flat plug
The van is only wired on 7 pin side (no wires attached on the 5 pin side) as per diagrams. So as I have a spare 7 pin plug available, that would seem to be my simplest option. Are there any other issues that you are aware of that I should check?
You could have 2 options if flat connectors. 1) I think you will find a 7 pin will fit into the top a 12 pin socket so that you could change the car from 7 to 12 to match the caravan and the other trailer will still connect. 2) fit a 7 pin to the caravan and if their are axillary wires in the 12 pin then connect themwith Anderson plugs and sockets a better option for auxillary power anyway.
If the 12 pin on the caravan has a power wire it is probably for the fridge so the car would needed to be wired for this as well if you want to maintain it. Then IMO an Anderson connector is better anyway.
Thank you for that. There is no power connection on the 12 pin just lights, earth & brakes. I do have an Andersen Plug on the van already with some pretty lumpy wire so it looks like I will get away with just changing the plug on the van & upgrade the wires on the car to match the ones on the vans Andersen Plug.
Tony, you would have been better off mounting that 12 pin socket that was used for the adaptor on your tug. It would have saved you the cost of the 7 pin plug and the cost of the labour.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.