by Jamie Nations
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If you’re looking to tow a pull-behind trailer with your Chevy truck, you’ll want to make sure all of the lights, turn signals, brakes, batteries and other trailer functions are working correctly.
The most important aspect of ensuring these trailer components are synced with your truck and working properly is the wiring.
To assist with making sure you get the wiring right when hooking up your trailer, this guide will diagram and explain the Chevy truck trailer wiring color code.
Chevy Truck Trailer Wiring Configurations
With so many different models and years of Chevy trucks out there, there are a number of different wiring configurations.
But the coloring of the wires and the purpose they serve remains consistent across Chevy trucks and the entire auto industry.
Let’s explore the four main wiring configurations found in both Chevy trucks and the majority of pull-behind trailers.
Seven-Way Wiring
Most Chevy truck models later than 2000 should have a total of eight wires in the wiring harness underneath.
Seven of these wires run to a standard seven-way connector, with the eighth being an optional light blue wire that can be used for a third brake light when towing a camper shell.
The wire color coding for the seven-way wiring configuration is:
- Green – Right turn signal and right brake light
- Yellow – Left turn signal and left brake light
- Brown – Tail lights and running lights
- White – Ground
- Blue – Brake power, electric brake control
- Black or Red – Battery hot lead, 12V aux power
- Light Green or Purple – Reverse lights
This seven-way wiring configuration is the most common set-up found in Chevy trucks and modern trailers.
Four-Way Wiring
If your truck or trailer has a four way wiring set-up, it will have the following types of wires:
- Green – Right turn signal and right brake light
- Yellow – Left turn signal and left brake light
- Brown – Tail lights and running lights
- White – Ground
Four-way wiring works with most light-duty trailers and boat trailers and is quite common.
Five-Way Wiring
The next level is five-way wiring, which includes the addition of a blue wire for electric brake control or surge brakes built into the trailer.
- Green – Right turn signal and right brake light
- Yellow – Left turn signal and left brake light
- Brown – Tail lights and running lights
- White – Ground
- Blue – Brake power, electric brake control
Five-way wiring is common in a number of 90’s Chevy truck models.
Six-Way Wiring
Six-way wiring includes a sixth wire used for a fused battery lead, to provide 12 volts of power to any accessory that may be included on the trailer such as a fan. This sixth wire is usually black or red in color.
- Green – Right turn signal and right brake light
- Yellow – Left turn signal and left brake light
- Brown – Tail lights and running lights
- White – Ground
- Blue – Brake power, electric brake control
- Black or Red – Battery hot lead, 12V aux power
Seven-Way Connector Wiring Diagram
Most Chevy trucks are fitted with a seven-way connector near the trailer hitch where the trailer’s electrical components can be synced with your truck’s.
Your trailer should feature a plug that fits into this connector. If it is not the same type of connector as the one you have on your truck, you’ll need to use an adapter that can sync the two different types or convert the trailer plug to the proper connector by replacing it.
You can find the seven-Way connector wiring diagram below for reference.
Testing The Wires
If for any reason you suspect your wiring configuration is not normal, you can confirm what each wire does by using a circuit tester to determine the function of each.
Some Chevy trucks are not installed with the necessary fuses for the towing connection in the fuse box. If you are not getting any signal at the wires when testing with a circuit tester, this is likely why.
Check the fuse box under the hood to ensure these fuses are present. If not, they’ll need to be added for the trailer wiring to function properly.
Conclusion
When towing a trailer behind your Chevy truck, it is essential to get the wiring right to ensure the proper operation of the trailer’s electrical components while driving.
This guide to a Chevy truck trailer wiring color code should assist you with the wiring configuration in your truck and trailer.
If by chance you’re towing a trailer with your ATV or UTV on it, check out the following guides before you go:
- Top Electric UTVs and Side By Sides For 2023
- Top 1000cc ATVs For 2023
- CFMoto ATV Reviews
