HF Trailer NOT for Teardrop, Wiring, Smoothies, White-Walls?

[PubUltraStar]

I may be the first person to buy a HF trailer with no intention of using it for my teardrop build, but as a way to transport other stuff back and forth. I finally broke down yesterday and bought a folding HF trailer with 20% off coupon, as I have other stuff that needs hauling too. It's cold out there today, but may go out in the garage for a bit to get the trailer put together. My CNC guy is in Madison, 100 miles away from me, so I'll use the trailer to haul all the cut pieces back home. The custom trailer is still not ordered, as I have a few questions that I'm pondering in my head.

1. I have a 4 prong trailer plug in my Toyota Highlander, but I'm thinking that I might want trailer brakes and an additional wire for power from the tow vehicle. Is it possible to get the vehicle re-wired for a 7 wire hookup? Is it worth getting the brakes as part of the torsion axle order? I have a late model ski boat that doesn't have trailer brakes, but I see a number of conversations here about having them. I think that my teardrop will be a bit heavier with the woodie design I'm planning, so I'm not going to order the trailer until I know if I need brakes. If I do, what's the process for getting my vehicle rewired? (Sorry, just been too lazy to call a local trailer place, or even Google it.)

2. I really love the classic look of "smoothie" colored rims with baby moon hub caps on them with a white white-wall tire. However, most of the online sites have these for classic cars, and are not necessarily trailer rims. I'd like to get black rims with wide white-wall tires. Can someone explain "offset" to me, and should I just stick with trailer rims and tires? What are the downsides/risks if you use regular automotive tires versus trailer tires? Anyone have any recommendations on reputable sites to order from?

Here is an example tire I was thinking of: https://www.universaltire.com/american-classic-tires/classic-whitewall-style/205-75r14-american-classic-2-1-2-white-wall.html

Example of rim I like: http://www.truespoke.net/Smoothie.html

[alaska teardrop]

This company sells wheels & caps meant for trailers: http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Whe ... s_s/76.htm

For information on offsets & axle dimensions, go to the 'stickies' in this part of the forum. For information on the wiring go to the electrical forum "stickies".

Fred

[Dale M.]

1. I have a 4 prong trailer plug in my Toyota Highlander, but I'm thinking that I might want trailer brakes and an additional wire for power from the tow vehicle. Is it possible to get the vehicle re-wired for a 7 wire hookup? Is it worth getting the brakes as part of the torsion axle order? I have a late model ski boat that doesn't have trailer brakes, but I see a number of conversations here about having them. I think that my teardrop will be a bit heavier with the woodie design I'm planning, so I'm not going to order the trailer until I know if I need brakes. If I do, what's the process for getting my vehicle rewired? (Sorry, just been too lazy to call a local trailer place, or even Google it.)

It's just wires and plugs....... I would cut off 4 wire plug on Highlander and replace with 7 pin socket and add additional wiring as necessary..... OF course this means you will have to update any trailer you tow to 7 pin plug/socket OT get 7 pin to 4 pin adapter to tow an trailers with 4 pin plug..... Another option could be to add a 7 pin socket next to 4 pin socket and parallel the wiring... Son's Ford PU has plug on back with 4 pin and 7 pin molded into same piece, you may want to look for something like that so you do not have to fool with any adapters....

Its just wires and "circuits" there is no mystery to all this.... If you decide to go from 4 pin to 7 pin sure you wire by industry standards.....

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

7/4 pin socket....

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM43374.html
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/ ... 11998.html


Dale

[PubUltraStar]

http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/HM43374.html
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/ ... 11998.html

I had not seen these before with the dual plug outlets. Seems like a great compromise from picking one or the other. Thanks for the tip.

eTrailer.com even has videos on how to install the brake controller and wiring for the Highlander.

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controlle ... 2009106371
http://www.etrailer.com/p-ETBC7.html

Mike.

[CliffinGA]

Mike I bought my moon caps from a street rod site on the web, I'll see if I can find the name and send it to you but I kept the same wheels I had and these just pop in with spring clips:


Back


Front



I also went back into my build journal and found I got them from speedway motorshttp://www.speedwaymotors.com/Full-Moon-Style-Wheel-Cover-14-Inch,15503.html

Hope that helps!

Cliff

[PubUltraStar]

Cliff: Thanks for the link. I need to decide on the rims first, and then figure out what caps fit. I'd be making a big assumption if I thought that these types of caps were standard, but I'm sure I'll be able to figure that part out when the time comes.

[PubUltraStar]

etrailer.com looks to have everything I need to rewire my Toyota Highlander Hybrid with a brake controller. I've added these items to my build list:

- http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controlle ... 2009106371
- http://www.etrailer.com/p-ETBC7.html
- http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and ... 18136.html

There is even an installation video specifically for my vehicle, which is nice. The only part that they do not cover is the installation of a power wire. Has anyone added the power, and did you put any type of breakers between the battery and the connector in the back?

[jmkjr72]

i would get a new plug in set up
hoppy has a deal that has both 4 wire flat and 7 wire on it

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414ZEBCD2KL.jpg


then you would cut off your old end and wire it into the new one and run extra wires

[mikeschn]

You need to start a photo album so I can see what you're up to... Your avatar looks good. Got a bigger picture of that?

Mike...

P.S. Here's some help with photos... viewtopic.php?p=911290#p911290

[PubUltraStar]

I'll be posting lots of pictures when I actually start the build. The avatar is just a goof, a joke based upon the temporary name of my trailer. Since I freelance as a professional photographer, I'm sure that people will actually get sick of the number of pictures I post when this actually gets going. I'm finalizing the details of the wheels and rims, and have a meeting with my trailer guy next week to submit the order.

As far as the pictures, I plan on doing a full time lapse of the process, and any time that I'm in the garage working on the teardop, I'll have the camera running. The combination of photos, video, and time lapse will be used during the build journal. Once of the main reasons for building the tear is to have a method of traveling with the sole purpose of taking pictures. Here is my gallery: http://www.m2-photo.com/Epic/2012-Art-Fair-Gallery

[Dale M.]

The thing is with trailer wiring... There are many sites on I-net that can supply you with about everything (material) and information you need... Choose wisely, when selecting electrical parts and things are not always what they seem (like color codes of wires on 7 pin RV pigtails for trailer).... All you have to add to mix is a little effort and intelligence....

Dale