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Old December 1st 08, 05:18 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Is it ever just "plug and play"?

"John Bojack" wrote in message

... Picking up a new Cobra trailer at the port on Tuesday......wondering if I
can expect just to plug it into my SUV motorhome and have the lights
working correctly? * Anyone with a success story ?


Trailer and SUV are both fitted witht the new large plug and receptacle..


Thanks!


J4


Here is a table I made for myself in case my wires ever came undone
(note to self: make sure the lights are unplugged before pulling away
from the trailer).

Function Trailer plug/wire US plug/wire

R Turn 4-R Green 6 Brown
R Running 5-58R Brown 3 Green
Brake 6-54 Red 2 Blue (electric brake)
L Turn 1-L Yellow 5 Red
Fog 2-54g Blue 7 Center
GND 3-31 White 1 White
L Running 7-58L Black 3 Green

Here is a link to a European trailer wiring diagram - equivalent to
the one already posted for the US plug. PRINT BOTH:

http://www.tridenttrailers.com/trail...ng-diagram.htm

As has been mentioned, the problem is that the US 7-wire plug gangs
together right turn and right brake, left turn and left brake while
the European system has separate turn and brake lights. This is true
even if your car/truck/RV has the European tail lights - unless you
run your own wiring direct from the lights. The common solution is to
wire up the turn signals but not the brake (which on the US plug is
used to control electric brakes on some trailers, not for lighting),
then switch the brake and turn leads in the trailer light housing at
the rear of the trailer. Some people have gotten away with switching
the left and right trailer light lenses instead of the leads, but this
may not fit, depending on the specific trailer light modules. If you
don't switch the wires/lenses your turn/brake lights will be yellow,
which can upset some local authorities. If you choose to run this way
to get home don't ride the brakes and call attention to yourself.
Another possible solution is to get some red transparent plastic to
put in the trailer lens to make it more red though I have not tried
this.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FEMALE FOR THE US PLUG OR YOU WILL BE S.O.L. AT
THE PORT AS THE US AND EUROPEAN PLUGS ARE PHYSICALLY DIFFERENT.

Best of luck,

9B