Trailer socket: connection, diagram, pinout.

Types of connectors and connection diagrams

It all started with 7-pin or, as they are also called, 7-pin connectors. Motorists from the North American continent and Europe became legislators. Then 13-pin and 15-pin connectors appeared. Other specialized connectors, more like cables, cannot be found in the store. They are used on narrow-profile equipment.

The European type of connection is the most common in the post-Soviet space. Safe and correct insertion of the plug into the socket is ensured by the male-female contact system. It is impossible to miss in zero visibility conditions.
The American type is similar in design, but differs in the wiring of the electrical signal. There is also a 4-pin connector among the American connecting chips.
The 13-pin connector is used on American and European cars. Today, almost all imported cars in Russia have a 13-pin trailer plug connection. Additional negative and positive conductors allow you to equip lighting equipment with electricity from fog lights to a fully functional network for a motorhome or trailer.
15 contacts are used on tractors.

Types of connectors and connection diagram for a 7-pin towbar

When planning to use a trailer towbar, you should install a socket and study the connection diagram for the towbar so that the corresponding signals through the towbar connector ensure that the rear turn signal lamps and other lighting devices are turned on.

Not all motorists know which socket can be used to connect a trailer to a vehicle.

The 7-pin towbar connection diagram will help you connect the socket

The towbar wiring is connected through various types of connectors depending on the manufacturer and type of car, as well as the country of manufacture of the car:

on the European continent, most car enthusiasts use a connector with 7 pins. The 7-pin connector is common in the CIS countries. The seven-pin trailer socket circuit is used on all domestic cars;
The design of the towbar socket on American-made cars is similar in design to the European one. American manufacturers also use a four-pin pinout for a passenger car trailer socket;
European and American-made cars that are operated by domestic cars have a 13-pin connection system. This pinout of a trailer towbar on a car makes it possible to connect additional lighting equipment used in trailers or motorhomes;
On imported tractors, a 15-pin version of the connector is used. It allows you to correctly supply power to all electrical equipment on the trailer. Fifteen-pin sockets are distinguished by wide functionality.

Let us dwell in detail on the seven-pin Euro connector used by domestic motorists. A distinctive feature of this switching device is that it is impossible to make a mistake when connecting the trailer’s electrical equipment at night or in poor visibility.

Due to the fact that each part of the connector has socket and plug elements, the connection can be made even with your eyes closed.

The towbar wiring is connected through various types of connectors.

In a seven-pin circuit, each contact has a corresponding number, and the wire suitable for the contact group has a different color. Even the cross-sectional area of the conductors is regulated, which ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 mm2 depending on the load consumed. Correct selection of conductors according to the cross-section allows you to prevent overloading of automotive wiring and failure of fuses.

Let's figure out which consumers receive signals from certain contacts:

contact number 1 is connected to a yellow wire that supplies power to the left turn signal lamp;
contact group 2 is connected by a positive wire to the rear fog lamp signal;
the third connector is connected by a conductor in gray insulation with a negative contact, performing the functions of ground;
contact group number 4 is connected by a wire in a green sheath to the right turn signal lamp;
a brown wire comes from the fifth contact, connected to the right side marker and license plate illumination;
through the sixth socket element, connected by a wire in red insulation to the brake lights, supply voltage is supplied;
Plug number 7 transmits the control signal through the black wire to the left parking light.

The second contact group, which provides constant 12-volt power, is often not used. It can be used to connect a car refrigerator located, for example, in a trailer.

Each contact in the seven-pin circuit has a corresponding number

Ways to connect a towbar socket

There are two options for connecting the trailer to the vehicle network:

Full-time.
Universal.

A standard towbar with a socket installed on a car.
The first implies the presence of a bracket on the towbar with a socket fixed in it. Everything is simple here if the plug and socket connector are of the same type, for example 7-pin. Information is provided in the user manual. Differences in pinout from American to Euro are resolved by resoldering the contacts or using an adapter. But tampering with the electrical circuit will remove the car from warranty. To pair 7 to 13, a special adapter is required. The universal method is used if the towbar socket is missing or not connected to the car. There are two options here:

Using a matching block. The need for this arises when the car’s electrical circuit is equipped with an on-board computer with a control unit that prohibits the redistribution of electricity to trailer lighting outside the standards. It will show an error on the dashboard. The coordination block will eliminate indicators of incorrect electricity consumption.
In cars without an on-board computer, manual installation of the electrical network is used. This will require consumables, tools, and knowledge of the car's electrical circuit.

Pinout of 7 pin socket

Pinout diagram

Source: 2shemi.ru

The classification by color and number standardized in the Russian Federation assumes the following contacts:

1 – yellow – left turn signal (code L);
2 – positive contact, rear fog lamp signal (54G);
3 – gray – negative contact, ground (31);
4 – green – right turn signal (R);
5 – brown – right side lamp signal, license plate illumination (58R);
6 – red – brake lights (54);
7 – black – signal of the left parking light (58L).

Pinout of 13 pin socket

The advantage is reinforced wiring and the number of connectors:

1 – yellow – left direction indicator signal;
2 – blue – signal from rear fog lights;
3 – white – negative signal for contacts 1 to 8;
4 – green – right direction indicator signal;
5 – brown – size signal on the right side;
6 – red – stop light;
7 – black – size signal on the left side;
8 – pink – reverse lights signal;
9 – orange – permanent positive contact;
10 – gray – positive contact during ignition;
11 – black and white – negative signal for pin 10;
12 – white-blue – reserve contact;
13 – white-orange – negative signal for pin 9.

Source: 2shemi.ru

Contact designations

European and Russian-made sockets have 7 contacts, arranged as follows:

Left side turn signal.
Fog lamp, can be used as a +12V socket.
Weight.
Right side turn signal: used to illuminate the license plate and right side marker.
Stop lights.
Left side dimension.

The 13-pin sockets are made in the USA and are used by some European manufacturers. Designations can be color-coded, digital, and have the following pinout for a passenger car towbar socket :

1. Left side turn signal (yellow).

2. Rear fog light (blue).

3. Mass from 1 to 8 (white).

4. Right side turn signal (green).

5. Brown indicates dimensions.

6. Red (brake lights).

7. Black is responsible for the right side of the side lights, license plate illumination.

8. Pink – reverse.

9. Orange – battery voltage.

10. If there is ignition +12V (indicated in gray).

11. Grounding – number 10 or white-black spot.

12. Blue and white spare signal actuator.

Pinout of 15 pin connector

1 – yellow – left turn signal;
2 – green – right turn signal;
3 – blue – signal from rear fog lights;
4 – white – negative contact;
5 – black – left hand signal;
6 – brown – right-hand side signal;
7 – red – brake light signal;
8 – pink – reverse signal;
9 – orange – positive contact;
10 – gray – brake pad signal;
11 – black and white – spring brake signal;
12 – white-blue – drawbridge signal;
13 – white-red – general contact;
14 – white-green – Can-H;
15 – white-brown – Can-L.

Chevrolet Captiva › Logbook › Connecting the towbar electrical... 7 or 13 contacts

When the need arises to transport a trailer, we are faced with the issue of installing a towbar and connecting an socket to connect the towbar’s electrics. If everything is more or less clear with the hardware, then questions arise with the electrical connection.

How to connect the towbar socket to the car's electrical system?

The socket can be connected in two ways:

◾standard; ◾universal.

Application of the STANDARD method

This is only possible if the car has a socket for connecting the towbar electrics. In such cases, you won’t need a trailer connection diagram at all, you just need to purchase an original set of wires (we plug one end into the socket intended for it, and the other end ends with a towbar socket, install the socket and that’s it) Very often, the pinout of the towbar socket (provided that standard equipment is used) is present in the machine's operating instructions. This is an ideal option as it does not require any changes to the vehicle's electrical system.

But this is a rather rare option.

As a rule, a UNIVERSAL connection method is used.

UNIVERSAL method 1: The car is not equipped with a modern electronic control unit.

Thanks to this, electrical wires can be directly connected to existing electrical circuits. That is, the wires that come from the connector are connected to those connected to the rear lighting equipment.

UNIVERSAL method 2: The vehicle is equipped with a multiplex bus.

The control unit tests the rear optics. When it determines that it is drawing more current (as a result of the connection to the trailer optics), the driver will receive an error message. In such cases, a “matching block” should be used. The matching unit is connected to the standard electrical system of the vehicle, after which the unit itself transmits the corresponding signals to the trailer’s lighting equipment. The car's control unit does not “see” this device, so problems with connecting the towbar no longer arise.

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When connecting the towbar electrics, we learn that there are various socket options for connecting the towbar electrics.

The most common types of sockets have 7 and 13 contacts. On passenger trailers for transporting various cargoes and equipment, 7-pin devices are usually used, but on house trailers 13-pin sockets are used. Essentially, the difference lies in the use of additional contacts necessary to activate the reversing lights and other electrical components of trailer houses (refrigerator, charging an additional battery, etc.)

7 pin socket pinout - Europe (DIN/ISO 1724)

1 Left turn signal 2 +12V (optional) or Rear fog light 3 Ground 4 Right turn signal 5 Right marker and license plate light 6 Brake lights 7 Left marker

13-pin socket pinout - Europe (DIN / ISO 11446)

1. Left turn (Yellow) 2. Rear fog light (Blue) 3. Ground for pins 1 to 8 (White) 4. Right turn (Green) 5. Left side marker and license plate light (Brown) 6. Brake lights (Red) 7. Right side of the dimensions and license plate lights (Black) 8. Reverse (Pink) 9. +12V from the battery (Orange) 10. +12V with ignition (Gray) 11. Ground for pin 10 (White-black ) 12. Signal wire (usually spare) (White-blue) 13. Ground for pin 9

Direct connection diagrams

They go where the brake lights are. When removing reflective covers, take into account the minimum pressing of the cushioning foam, which serves to prevent dust from being sucked into the interior. Although there are connection diagrams on the Internet, performing this procedure yourself is not so easy. Before connecting, it would be good to study the approaches to the wires. A nuance: on the one hand, cutting the wiring is too lazy, on the other, it’s a pity. Therefore, for the lazy method, connectors with three ends are provided: two with plugs that connect standard devices, and one end with bare wires to the towbar socket.

Pinout of car towbar socket

Special wiring connected to the vehicle's electrical circuit ensures traffic safety; thanks to it, turn signals and brake lights will work on the trailer.

Connection is not always easy; You can do this correctly only by thoroughly understanding the circuit.

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Step-by-step connection of the towbar socket to the car

The order is as follows:

It is necessary to cut the conductors of the appropriate length according to the diagram;
Strip and tin the ends;
Secure it in the socket;
Assemble the harness into a corrugation;
Secure the socket;
Seal problem areas;
Stretch the corrugation according to the installation diagram;
Solder the ends into the connecting block;
Connect the conductors to the connectors of the left and right lamps;
Tighten the clamps and hide the electrical wiring of the machine.

Video about connecting the towbar socket to the car

When connecting a car trailer socket, you can seek qualified help, especially if the electrical installation is carried out on an imported car. Experienced motorists know the intricacies of switching, which only appear during operation of the car. Incorrect installation of wires can lead to heating and failure of lighting devices.