What is the best way to wire a vehicle for a trailer?

[afroman006]

My truck has a hackjob mess of wirenuts and other junk for the trailer lights and I am wondering what the best and most proper way to go about wiring a vehicle for trailer lights and brakes is. I am going to be installing a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controler whenever I redo the wiring also. Where is the best place to tap into the brake light circuits? The vehicle is a 98 Chevy K3500 BTW. Thanks

 

[jac6695]

Anytime you can solder connections is best, but you would definetrly want to keep the connections tight and sealed from the weather. I have an extra plug that goes between the tailight harness and the truck harness to easily wire a trailer plug. I will have to search the garage, if you want it, send me a PM with mailing info.

Edit: looks like this one-

 

[BurbLover]

I used one of those as well. I think I bought it a Wal-Mart fairly cheap.

 

[kyser_soze]

I have a k3500 and use those adaptors as well.

But I hook the wiring up to a 7 pin and use the proper adaptor that will "plug into the 7 pin" so I will be able to tow any type of trailer wilth any type of plug in.

I usually work on my truck myself, but for the wiring I took the truck to a trailer shop for a professional hookup, I also had them wire up the brake controller at the same time. With the contoller and adaptors it cost around $150.00

 

[BIG*RED]

i used the wire connector also..got mine at a uhaul rental store.
and i also bought a trailer brake, and some wire..
i hooked it all up myself, was fairly simple..instructions were ver easy to read and follow..the longest part was running the wires to the rear bumper in a way they wouldn't get runined..
i aslo have a 7 plug on the end of my bumper..i was pulling a travel trailer, so it pluged right up to the 7 plug..and i also carry a 7 to 4 flat adapter in my glove box for when i tow small trailers and uhaul trailers..

all in all it took me about 2.5 hours to mount and install everything.

also my travel trailer, like most i assume, got its power from the batteries on it, when not hooked up to a plug in site, and the trailer batteries were charged by my trucks battery, when the trailer was plugged into my truck.. so i ran the trailer brakes and wires off of my second battery under the hood, and had it wired in a way that the truck battery and trailer battery stayed connected even with the key off, so i never lost power, or had dim lights in the trailer..

 

[kennyw]

also my travel trailer, like most i assume, got its power from the batteries on it, when not hooked up to a plug in site, and the trailer batteries were charged by my trucks battery, when the trailer was plugged into my truck.. so i ran the trailer brakes and wires off of my second battery under the hood, and had it wired in a way that the truck battery and trailer battery stayed connected even with the key off, so i never lost power, or had dim lights in the trailer..

That is ok only if your second battery is islolated from the main starting battery... otherwise a problem with your lights being left on in the camper may leave you unable to start the truck