Moved up from Tent to Pop Up...but need help!

[firefly72]

We just bought a 1993 Skamper 22c today.  We plan to pick it up next weekend.  But we need to have a hitch installed in our 2004 Jeep Liberty before we can pick it up.  I contaced our local Uhaul today and told them what I would be towing and what vehicle I would be using.  They told me that they had the hitch in stock.  However, later I found out that this pop up has electric brakes.  Does that mean that we need something else installed besides the hitch?

Sorry-I am very clueless and new to all of this!

[mlslocks]

Welcome
Yes you need to have a brake control installed in the Jeep. Also you will need a 7 pin electric connector for the lights and brake power installed near the hitch.

Lee

[firefly72]

Thanks for the answer.  One other question...you say that I need a 7 pin connector (which is what my dad had told me too), but I called the seller to confirm how many pins the connector was and I was told that it was 5.  Does this make any sense?  Can you have electric brakes with a 5 pin connector?

[Tim5055]

Thanks for the answer.  One other question...you say that I need a 7 pin connector (which is what my dad had told me too), but I called the seller to confirm how many pins the connector was and I was told that it was 5.  Does this make any sense?  Can you have electric brakes with a 5 pin connector?

Never heard of a 5 pin.  The come in "4 pin flat", "6 pin round" and "7 pin round".  It could be ether a 6 or 7 pin, with the 7 pin being the most common.  I'd give a Skamper dealer a call and ask the service department which it is.

[aw738]

I sell some of the 5 pin connectors. They look just like a 4 pin but just wider with the extra pin. I don't see why the extra pin couldn't be used for brakes.

[firefly72]

Oh boy...this is more complicated than I thought !  Some of you say there is no 5 pin, some say there is.  My local RV center says that it has to be a 4 or 7 pin.  I called Skamper (acutally Aero) direct and just to complicate matters they say it is a 6 pin!  I put in a call to the seller to confirm again and also to see what they have on their tow vehicle.  

My dad says that I need to have a 7 pin installed on the Jeep and there are adapters to convert it if it is a 5 or 6 pin.  Though my RV center is telling me that there is no such thing!!!  :eyecrazy:  

Anyone have any other input?

By the way...even though I am more confused I do appreciate all or your responses!!

[mlslocks]

I would install the 7 pin on the Jeep. Also buy the 7 pin plug end for the trailer. Then you will have the most common tow vehicle setup. If you want to try the adapters Walmart has a good selection of adapters. Buy all you think might work and return what you do not need.

Lee

[tknick]

I would suggest having a 7 pin plug installed.  As for a 5 pin, my father has one on his boat trailer.  It has the regular 4 pins, with the fifth pin being the reverse lights.  It is not to activate the lights, but to tell the surge brakes on the boat trailer not to activate when the trailer is going backwards.  If you install the 7 pin, you can buy or make an adapter to go to any type of plug (6 pin, 5 pin or 4 pin).  My father had to do that with the 5 pin because his jeep came with the 7 pin connection. Its simply a matter of getting the wiring diagram for the trailer and the common 7 pin diagram and matching the wires up.  It would take you about 5 min to make the adapter up.  That will also give you the most versatility and have you set up in case you upgrade in the future.

HERE is the adapter you would use if you installed a 7 pin plug and went to a 5 or 4 pin.  HERE is what you would use to go from 7 to 6 pins

travis

[tlhdoc]

There are many types/shapes of plugs out there.  The most common is the round 7 pin.  I would have that installed and have the matching end installed on the trailer.  That way you don't need adapters to tow the trailer.  

[meriflower1985]

We have a 2005 Jeep Liberty and we bought it with the trailer tow package (came with class III hitch, 7 pin adapter and wiring, and tranny cooler).  Also if your Liberty did not come equipped with the trailer tow package, I would also look into getting a tranny cooler.