Where's the electrical for towing?

[Machine090767]

Hi Guy's, I have a 2007 XLT with the "Tow package" a class II receiver and hook up for trailer brakes.
thing is, I have looked all over for the connection to hook up the trailer lamps.
I have owned many other vehicles and have never had this problem.
Or, did the "Tow package" actually not come with a wiring harness for trailer lights? (which would make no sense)

 

[jk86racing]

What do you mean by hook up for the trailer brakes? Do you mean a 7 way connector?

 

[Explorer_PL]

If you have Class II receiver (1 1/4 inch) then you do not have the tow package but the flat 4 connector should be under bumper.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I meant you do not have the "full" tow package with 2" receiver and tranny cooler. You are good for about 3500 lbs, and the light wiring should be there.

 

[Machine090767]

I have the 7 way connector. isn't this for the trailer brakes?
all of my other vehicles had the small flat 4 connector, (which I cannot find on my 07)
Also, I do have the class III receiver.

 

[jk86racing]

Tucked underneath the 7 way plug you should find the 4 way plug. It might be taped up to the wiring harness of the 7 way plug. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow of where it is on my 2006 Explorer.

The difference between the 4 way plug and the 7 way plug is shown in the picture below. The 4 way just has the turn signals, ground, and tail lights / marker lights. The 7 way has those plus the electric brakes, a +12 volt lead, and the back up lights.

 

[Machine090767]

I have the 7 way, RV blade style.

 

[D Hook]

I use the seven way and have an adapter to plug in the flat four from the boat trailer. But it also has a flat four mounted under the bumper.

 

[Machine090767]

Tomorrow, I'll check under the bumper, hitch area to see if I can find if I have a flat 4 connector.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Ok, got. I got confused when you said Class II.

 

[Machine090767]

Sorry, I thought it was a class II. but upon further Investigating, discovered I have the class III.
I found out that I do not have the flat 4 connector. (Previous owner must've had a large boat or camper he towed that required the 7 way blade style connector.)

 

[thebrakeman]

If you have the 2" receiver, then you have the Class III/IV Towing Package.
This included a combination 4/7-way trailer wiring. The 4-flat wiring comes out of the same wiring harness as the 7-round wiring. The same metal stamping that that holds the 7-round connector has an extension underneath that is supposed to hold the 4-way with a rubber grommet (though it does not stay in place very well). The previous owner did not swap out the 4-flat for the 7-round. Both were provided as stock. If the 4-flat truly is not there, then the previous owner must have cut it off!

That said, my 7-round connector works fine, but the 4-way has never worked well since we got it used in 2009 (bad connection somewhere). I use the 7-way for my camper. When I need to tow something that has the 4-flat, I have a simple adapter that plugs into the 7-way.

 

[Machine090767]

Thanks for the reply, Brakeman!

 

[Scorpion8]

If you have Class II receiver (1 1/4 inch) then you do not have the tow package but the flat 4 connector should be under bumper.

Ditto for mine exactly on my 2006.

 

[Machine090767]

Update: found the flat 4 connector. It was secured under the bumper, just behind the 7 pint blade style connector.
I am ready to tow whatever needs towing!