- seven-pin (7 pin) European-type connectors;
- American-type seven-pin (7 pin) connectors;
- thirteen-pin connectors (13 pin);
- special connectors.
The most common types of sockets have 7 and 13 contacts. In Russia, 7-pin devices are usually used, and 13-pin sockets can be seen on many cars from Europe and the USA. The difference lies in the use of additional contacts necessary to activate fog lights and other electrical components of caravans that are popular abroad.
Rules accepted throughout the world provide for the installation of left/right turn signals and stop signals on trailers for passenger cars. The connection diagram for a passenger car trailer socket depends not only on the number of contacts, but also on the standard of the country, so a trailer with European wiring cannot be connected to a socket with Russian wiring without modification. If you install it without modification, then the right dimensions of the BTS will not light up.
About connection methods and types of trailer connectors
To transport cargo trailers, a special traction coupling device is used, made of a powerful power steel structure, which is attached to the rear of the steel platform by an automobile mechanism.
A towbar connection diagram is required, which will ensure safety and compliance with road accident regulations. Many cars provide additional options for the car with a detachable unit: a tow bar socket and electrical wires connecting the power supply and control of the car with an additional traction device.
Basically, motor transport mechanisms are equipped with these devices as an additional service when purchasing a car. The towbar socket can be connected to the car yourself; pinout of the towbar socket and installation of electrical wiring is not difficult to do yourself. Let's look at the trailer connection diagrams and the pinout of the towbar socket.
There are the following connection diagrams for the towbar socket:
- Regular Russian standard with a socket for seven groups of connecting contacts;
- European and American standard for thirteen detachable connections;
- Special connector.
By the way, in Russia and America they also use a method for connecting a towbar with seven and thirteen connectors. Thirteen connections are used in the main connection of electrical wiring in transportable caravans.
When installing and connecting the control circuit for the rear parking devices of a vehicle, you must follow the rules for connecting the socket for a passenger car trailer, the correctness and sequence of operations when turning it on.
You should not perform such operations by poking at the contacts of light devices; a short circuit may occur or the automatic protection of the vehicle control unit may be triggered. And you cannot connect conductors using the twisting method; a poor-quality connection can create an incorrect command, and the devices will be blocked from turning on.
Modern car circuits are equipped with various electronic devices that use electronics, modules, and matching units. Therefore, an additional special connector is included in the complete set of devices.
In the pinout of a truck trailer socket, conductors are used from conductors with a cross-section of 1.5 or 2 mm, more precisely, 1.5 mm will have a total of 6 conductors, 2 mm will have one wire.
The towbar socket with seven connectors has the following pinout structure:
- left turn signal;
- reverse;
- mass 12V;
- right turn signal;
- right side signal;
- Stop signal;
- left side signal.
The thirteen-pin detachable towbar socket consists of the following equipment:
- left turn indicator;
- rear fog lights;
- weight in the chain 1,2,4-8;
- right turn indicator;
- right side signal;
- Stop signal;
- left side signal;
- reverse signal;
- +12 V constant;
- +12V when the ignition is turned on;
- weight in chain 10;
- Reserve pin;
- weight in chain 9.
Connectors with 13 contacts are characterized by the presence of additional contacts with negative and positive polarity, allowing you to connect additional devices such as cameras, lighting devices, etc.
The detachable connection of the towbar electrical wires with seven and thirteen detachable connections consists of two connecting units: a female socket and a male plug. The towbar socket is mounted on the vehicle next to the towbar mounting point.
The trailer fork is installed with an extended harness of connecting conductors on the trailer in order to create a free docking of the trailer and free installation of electrical wiring.
In cases where a special connector is used in cars with an on-board computer and other electronic devices, it is better to use an electronic coordination unit in the installation of the electrical part of the signal control of the trailer mechanism; in other cases, it is possible to install a manual electrical network for the trailer.
Force tool set: review, reviews, which one to buy
The most common towbar connection diagram, the so-called standard, is a 7-pin European type. The special feature is the “father” and “mother” nests. They are installed for safe connection in conditions of poor visibility - you will have to try to mix up the connectors.
There is also a 7-pin circuit, but of the American type. The peculiarity is that there is a reverse contact and there is no separation between the right and left rows of lights.
13-pin connectors are used to connect to a passenger trailer. Feature - there are several contacts for negative and positive buses, and there are also additional contacts. They are used to connect a rear view camera.
Expensive modern trailers are equipped with electronic equipment: ABS, ESP, as well as on-board computers. Special connectors are used for pairing. Wiring and connecting can be difficult for an untrained person.
Modern trailers are equipped with additional equipment
What is needed to connect
Before connecting the trailer socket, you need to prepare and buy the necessary material in advance.
The package includes the following equipment:
- Socket cover for tow bar. Please note that there is a cover equipped with a rubber seal. When purchasing, inspect the product for the fit of all casing elements and for the absence of loose housing or contact connections. Pay special attention to the condition of the threaded connection and the fastening of screws to the terminals.
- Wire (one core) with a cross-section of 1.5 sq. mm or more. When purchasing, check the possibility of using it in the electrical wiring of a vehicle.
- Corrugation made of metal or polypropylene. Used to insulate wire harnesses and protect against mechanical damage. The average length is up to 2.5-3.0 meters. Immediately take 20-30 plastic clamps to secure the harnesses.
- Connecting blocks. When choosing, give preference to a model with sockets in which fuses can be installed.
- Tools: set of wrenches, drills and bits, screwdrivers, soldering iron, electrical tape.
The specified equipment is usually sufficient for installation work. If something is missing, the scarce elements can be purchased separately.
Niva Chevrolet
When connecting a trailer socket to a Niva Chevrolet, you can use a wiring harness with a trailer hitch (tow hitch) and European accessories 0183 for the specified Avato model. Article - 00001-75045552-00-0.
In addition, this harness is suitable for connecting trailers of other cars with a 7-pin connector, avoiding the use of a bundle of wires with five + two wires.
Pinout of 7 pin socket
Below is a drawing showing the wiring of a 7-pin connector (socket and plug). The typical colors of wires for Russian-assembled cars are indicated (color deviations are possible). In European machines, not all contacts on the connector may be used.
Pinout of the 7-pin towbar socket (A) and the corresponding trailer plug (B)
Explanation of the picture:
- Left side turn signal control signal.
- PTF connection (in foreign cars the contact may not be used).
- Weight.
- Starboard turn signal control signal.
- Side lights on the left side.
- Brake light control.
- Side lights on the starboard side
Currently, the 7-pin connector is practically not used in modern foreign cars; 13-pin sockets are installed there. If the trailer has an old type plug, you can connect it to the new Euro connector using a special adapter, which is much easier than changing the connector.
Adapter from 7 to 13 pins
LAV boat trailer pinout
Of particular interest is the pinout of contacts in LAV brand trailers. Let's highlight the features of contacts:
- Left turn signal.
- Rear PTF.
- Weight.
- Right turn signal.
- Reversing lamp.
- STOP signal.
- Side and contour lights, room lighting.
Knowing the features of the contact group will help you accurately connect the trailer and towbar socket.
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
Pinout of 15 pin connector
This type of connector for connecting trailers and semitrailers is an accepted standard for tractors from almost all manufacturers, including American ones. Considering the requirements for trailers of this class, a standard 13-pin connector is not suitable for powering and controlling their electrical equipment.
Appearance of a 15 pin socket
Matching table for 15-pin connector.
| Pin number | Coloring | Function |
| 1 | Yellow | Left side turn signal |
| 2 | Green | Starboard turn signal |
| 3 | Blue | PTF |
| 4 | White | Earth |
| 5 | Black | Parking lights on the left side |
| 6 | Brown | Side lights on the right side |
| 7 | Red | Brake light control |
| 8 | Pink | Reverse signal |
| 9 | Orange | +24 V |
| 10 | Gray | Transmission of an alarm signal from sensors installed on the brake pads |
| 11 | White-black | Signal from spring brake pressure sensors |
| 12 | White-blue | Bridge lift control |
| 13 | White-red | exchange of information signals |
| 14 | White-green | CAN-H |
| 15 | White-brown | CAN-L |
Connecting a trailer socket to a KamAZ truck
Owners of KAMAZ trucks often ask what type of socket can be used for a trailer.
The main option is a plug device type PS 325-100 for 24 V. The product is designed to transmit electrical signals to side lights, brake lights, turn signals and other elements. They come with 7 and 15 cores.
In this case, 7-core models are conventionally divided into two types - N and S. The first type is very similar to the other models, and the S-type has the appearance of an empty tube.
Pinout:
- Mass (Part 4), white.
- Left size (G.52), black.
- Turn signal on the left (K.75), yellow.
- Brakes (3.57), red.
- Turn signal on the right (P.74), green.
- Right gauge (Kch. 52), brown.
- Not involved. You can connect a reverse gear or a portable lamp. Blue.
As an analogue, you can use a 24 V socket manufactured by BAAZ). Its pinout is the same, only the manufacturer is different.
When choosing the original PS 325, pay attention to the following points:
- When turning the product over, the lid should not open. It is optimal if it is well spring-loaded and opens only with force from the user.
- The pins inside should not dangle.
- In the fake, the holes at the base are very small. You can check this using a special wire crimper.
- Pay attention to the quality of the internal thread and material. It is very difficult to screw a screw into a fake socket. In addition, the product itself is made of aluminum.
Knowing these points allows you to distinguish a fake from an original and avoid wasting money.
Step-by-step connection instructions
It is recommended to connect the towbar socket to the car with your own hands without cutting the standard wires, but using intermediate connecting blocks, as when installing factory adapters.
You need to purchase the necessary materials:
- the connector itself with a protective cover;
- electrical blocks of suitable design;
- cable with colored conductors with a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm2;
- clamps;
- protective corrugation.
Scheme of work:
- Cut a piece of cable to the required length with plenty of room for processing the ends.
- Remove insulation and tin the wire tails.
- Pass the cable inside the corrugated sleeve.
- Solder the contacts in the socket body, referring to the socket diagram of the car's tow bar.
- Secure the wires in the connecting blocks for the rear lights, also checking their order.
- Insulate all connection points and connect the pads to the car's lighting connectors.
- Lay the harness to the installation location on the tow bar, secure it and close the holes in the body with plugs.
It is better to use silicone sealant to insulate cable entries into sockets and connectors.
Why do you need an electronic matching unit?
Not in all cases it is possible to simply connect the sockets of the towbar and trailer. If the machine has complex electronics, a matching unit will be required.
Its use allows you to avoid errors when testing the operation of lighting equipment and vehicle electrical systems.
In addition, the matching unit is an invariable thing when it is necessary to transmit a signal using a multiplex bus.
The connection diagram is as follows:
- Signals from the car are sent to the matching unit.
- The latter processes the information.
- If there are no conflicts, the signal is transmitted to the trailer of the car or truck.
For correct operation, the unit must be connected to the battery and the wires must be connected correctly (taking into account the pinout).
The connection diagram is shown below.
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.
In addition, you will need additional materials:
- Socket with cover.
- Switching blocks. They come with fuse sockets.
- Wire with a cross section of 1.5-2 mm square. Insulated stranded or single-core wires are used.
- Silicone automotive sealant.
- Tourniquet. It is a 3-meter corrugated pipe made of plastic or metal.
- Clamps for fixing the harness.
It is not difficult to purchase one set. The factory version requires complex switching for the following reasons:
- Using a smaller load eliminates melting and short circuits;
- Guaranteed proper operation of lighting fixtures.
In theory, 11 wires are placed in a bundle. Since the right and left sides are synchronous, the switching theoretically fits into the usual 7 wires. But in this situation, there are three lamps per core, and this increases the load. There is another way to divide the current into right and left sides. The number of wires, mounting sleeves, and fuses increases. This circuit complies with safety standards.
General description and description of design features of trawl trailers
To connect the equipment, the motorist will need:
- standard set of tools;
- soldering iron;
- terminals for connecting cables;
- heat shrink or regular electrical tape.
Before starting work, it is necessary to turn off the power to the machine’s on-board network. To do this, you need to remove the terminal from the battery.
It is advisable to work with the wires that are included with the towbar electrical kit. If other cables are used, you need to check whether they are multi-core. It is mandatory to use a copper version with a minimum cross-section of 1.5 square meters. mm. For land - from 2.5 sq. mm.
Typically, connectors or terminals are included to eliminate soldering from the assembly process. In any case, you need to make sure that the isolation of the connections is reliable and only then connect.
Terminals are very helpful for people who don’t have a soldering machine at home or don’t know how to use it
To make the towbar connection as reliable as possible, you will have to use additional devices. Modern models are equipped with special reinforcing plates. If they are not included in the kit, it is advisable to purchase them separately. For fixing, holes in the housing with a diameter of approximately 13 mm are used. The towbar itself is secured through the plate and nut.
When working with wiring, you need to achieve good insulation, otherwise moisture will get inside, which will have a destructive effect on the tow bar and the entire system. And the main rule is that in order to assemble everything correctly and without errors, you need to carefully study the instructions before starting the main work.
The design of some vehicles does not allow the trailer to be attached freely. If difficulties arise during installation, it is advisable to remove the rear bumper.
Need to remember:
- It is not enough to simply attach a trailer to the bumper of the car. It is necessary, according to the rules, to connect the electrics of the towbar in order to power the paws installed on the trailer itself.
- It is not necessary to drag cables through the entire car - it is inconvenient and time-consuming. Near the rear lights of the car you can find a harness through which power is supplied.
- If you can't connect the trailer to the mains so that the lights work, you don't need to look for the problem in the towbar. You will probably need to purchase what is called an adapter, also called a matching unit.
If the car owner does not have experience in connecting a tow bar, it is advisable to contact the nearest service center; the specialists have experience and skills, and therefore the operation will be successful. But it won’t be difficult to learn how to attach a trailer yourself, the main thing is not to violate the instructions.
If you have no experience, it is better to contact a service center
It is also important to know 5 nuances about connection:
Figure 4. 5 nuances about connecting the towbar socket
Look at the towbar connector in the picture. Switching off will not be particularly difficult, especially if there is a universal component element, which is a towbar connector. It is very convenient to make the connection if the plug and socket match the connectors. Accordingly, a seven-pin socket must be connected to a seven-pin plug. In this option, you can make a normal connection, do not forget to combine the required sockets with the corresponding sockets.
Figure 5. 7 pin Figure 6. Cover
First familiarize yourself with the location of all seven connectors. If they coincide visually, then you can simply try to connect one to the other. If the towbar socket is of high quality, then it must have a cover. It is needed to protect against various external influences. Such protection will be required at a time when the towbar is not connected to the trailer.
Figure 7. Splicing
You can connect electronics in a simpler way. To perform such an operation, it is necessary to combine several leashes into a group and create an effective symbiosis of the supply of electrical signals. You can splice the contacts of two headlights, reverse lights, brake lights, fog lights and side lights. This is explained by the fact that when operating the car they will be used synchronously. Fastening is provided using brackets.
The next method involves changing the car's electrical system. This change consists of combining several wires that lead to the rear light and signal electrics of the trailer. They must be connected to the wires from the coupling device. If the vehicle has a complex electrical circuit, then you will have to spend a little more effort than in previous options. If the car's signal and light bulbs work without a special microprocessor, then you can connect a 7-channel towbar connector. Before you begin the operation, you should make sure that there are enough wires. If necessary, you can make the wiring elements yourself using a three-core copper wire of one and a half millimeters. They should be marked “PVS”.
If the connection is made directly, you must have a diagram of the towbar in front of your eyes, as well as a diagram of the car socket.
Towbar socket
To make the connection correctly, you need to supply turn signals, brake lights, as well as side and fog lights via one wire; you also connect license plate lighting there. You will also need to connect several wires that go to ground, the reversing light, if there is one. A special adapter is also installed on the electronic units. We are talking about a coordination unit between the electrics, the towbar and the towed part of the car. If there is such a connection, all connected parts will work smoothly and will not create problems for the motorist. Connecting the towbar coordination unit is done by yourself.
Photos of towbar connection diagrams will always help in your work if difficulties arise.
Connecting a trailer socket
conclusions
Now all that remains is to properly connect the trailer to the car and enjoy the result. If you notice a new type of socket or a complete disappearance of the models shown here from the shelves, please let us know. And don't forget to share the article with your friends!
Sources
- https://PricepInfo.ru/spravka/raspinovka-rozetki-farkopa/
- https://AutoTopik.ru/jelektrika/kak-podkljuchit-rozetku-pricepa.html
- https://www.asutpp.ru/raspinovka-rozetki-farkopa-pricepa.html
- https://pricepclub.ru/remont-i-obsluzhivanie/podklyuchenie-rozetki-pritsepa-legkovogo-avtomobilya
- https://avtoshark.com/article/repairs/electronics-repairs/podklyuchenie-rozetki-farkopa-k-avtomobilyu/
- https://elektro220v.ru/oborudovanie-dlya-avto/shemy-podklyucheniya-pritsepa.html
- https://DriverTip.ru/zhizn/pravilnoe-podkljuchenie-rozetki-pricepa-legkovogo-avtomobilja.html
