T-Connector for Chevy Astro

[lwbfl]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a T-Connector for trailer lights on my 2000 Chevy Astro.  None of the companies seem to make one for the Astro, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the S-10 or full size Chevy Pickup would be the same?  Thanks.

[mike4947]

I hate to say it but if the companies can make one for a Geo Tracker and don't show one for the Astro/Safari vans then it's about a certain as you can be that one won't cross over.

[lwbfl]

I hate to say it but if the companies can make one for a Geo Tracker and don't show one for the Astro/Safari vans then it's about a certain as you can be that one won't cross over.

Yeah, and I looked underneath, and the wires aren't exposed like my truck, so I guess you have to slice in by pulling the taillamps.

[tknick]

did a little searching myself and the response I got from one website was "hardwire your trailer connection"

It really isn't too difficult.  You will just need a test light, an assistant and some patience.

good luck
travis

[jakelaw]

If your dealer can't do it, or they are to expensive, take it to your local U-Haul dealer.  They will do it very reasonably and without fuss.  If there is a connector, they will have it and use it, but if there isn't one, they will be able to do it any way.   They should be able to do sort of a custom set up to, if you are using a 7 pin connector and want it set up for back up lights, or a charge line, etc.

[lwbfl]

If your dealer can't do it, or they are to expensive, take it to your local U-Haul dealer.  They will do it very reasonably and without fuss.  If there is a connector, they will have it and use it, but if there isn't one, they will be able to do it any way.   They should be able to do sort of a custom set up to, if you are using a 7 pin connector and want it set up for back up lights, or a charge line, etc.

I'm going to rewire the camper wiring as well, what are the advantages of the mutli wire setup vs the four wire?  Backup lights and charging?

[mike4947]

Brakes. My senior moment being over I seem to remember the Astro's having the loam curled up either with an interior spare if you have one or inside the left hand rear panel.

[tknick]

The biggest advantage is trailer brakes.  If your camper doesn't have them, then the 7 wire setup isn't really necessary.  The other advantage of the 7 wire setup is a charge line for your camper battery while travelling.  That would allow you to run your fridge on 12v while in transit and not arrive at the campsite with a dead or low battery.

The 7 wire setup is not much harder than the 4 wire to do yourself. the extra wires are for back up lights, brakes and the 12v charge line. The back up light would be in the same general area as the stop/turn lights so adding that wouldn't be a big deal.  The brake wire would run from the plug to somewhere under your dashboard so it could eventually be connected to a brake controller.  The 12v line should run from the plug directly to your battery (via a relay).  The relay will disconnect the 12v line when the vehicle is not running.  That way the fridge wont drain your battery and prevent your TV from starting.

If you really wanted the 12v charge line you could wire the 7 wire without the backup lights and brake wire.  Most pop ups don't have back up lights.

good luck
travis

[lwbfl]

My PU doesn't have a battery to charge but I'm thinking of adding the backup lights as we arrive well after dark to most of our camp sites.  The trailer is equipped with brakes, but I don't know if they work anymore and don't see the need for them with such a light trailer (for now anyway).  Thanks, and I'll look around for that loom in the panels.

[Done Working]

Check your owner

[6Quigs]

We have a 2002 GMC Safari, and I had to run the wires myself for the trailer connection. The Safari did have the trailer package, so as previously mentioned, there was a coil of wires at the rear of the van, in the compartment where the jack is stored, which I needed to terminate on the 7 pin connector which I had to provide and mount on the rear of the vav.
There was a blue wire provided for the brake controller, that ran from the back of the van to near the drivers left foot, that took me some time to find. Wiring the brake controller did involve installing 3 more wires, which got a bit more complicated.
Luckily I did a google search on the web and found a website from someone who had already done the work, and had photos of every step of the way, which made it very easy, but he has since discontinued the website.