What are the standard trailer wiring colors?

Per this chart: Green = right turn, Yellow = left turn, White = ground, Brown = tail/marker, Blue = brake, Red (or Black) = battery, Purple = back up.

What wire gauge should I use for trailer brakes?

The chart suggests a minimum of 18 gauge for 4-way and 5-way connectors and 12 gauge for 6-way and 7-way connectors for the blue brake wire.

Where does the white trailer wire connect?

The white ground wire attaches to a vehicle ground point that is metal, uncoated, and rustproof on both the vehicle and trailer sides.

Which circuits are on a 4-way trailer connector versus a 7-way?

A 4-way carries right turn, left turn, ground, and tail/marker. A 5-way adds brake, a 6-way adds battery, and a 7-way adds back up.

Where should the red battery wire be attached on the vehicle?

To the fuse block or a FUSED battery lead; on the trailer side it goes to the breakaway kit, interior lights, and battery charger.

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Trailer Wiring Color Code Chart - 4, 5, 6 & 7-Way Connector Wire Colors & Gauges

Trailer wiring color code chart with function, wire color and minimum gauge for 4/5/6/7-way connectors

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Trailer wiring color-code chart mapping connector functions to wire colors and minimum gauges: right turn green, left turn yellow, ground white, brake blue, battery red, backup purple.

AI caption April 2011 · Photo 649 of 1799

This document is a trailer wiring color code reference chart covering 4-way, 5-way, 6-way, and 7-way trailer connectors. For each circuit function it lists the standard wire color, the suggested minimum wire gauge (given separately for 4/5-way and 6/7-way connectors), and where to attach the wire on both the vehicle side and the trailer side. The functions covered are: Right Turn (green, 18/16 gauge), Left Turn (yellow, 18/16 gauge), Ground (white, 16/12 gauge, attached to a metal, uncoated, rustproof ground point), Tail/Marker (brown, 18/16 gauge), Brake (blue, 18/12 gauge, connecting the electric brake controller to the trailer's breakaway switch), Battery (red or black, 12 gauge, from a fuse block or fused battery lead to a breakaway kit, interior lights and battery charger), and Back Up (purple, 16 gauge, from the vehicle's backup circuit to backup lights or a hydraulic coupler). The nested connector column shows which circuits apply to each connector type: 4-way connectors carry only turn, ground, and tail circuits; 5-way adds brake; 6-way adds battery; 7-way adds backup. A footnote warns that wire colors may vary by manufacturer and recommends verifying connections with a circuit tester.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the standard trailer wiring colors?: Per this chart: Green = right turn, Yellow = left turn, White = ground, Brown = tail/marker, Blue = brake, Red (or Black) = battery, Purple = back up.
What wire gauge should I use for trailer brakes?: The chart suggests a minimum of 18 gauge for 4-way and 5-way connectors and 12 gauge for 6-way and 7-way connectors for the blue brake wire.
Where does the white trailer wire connect?: The white ground wire attaches to a vehicle ground point that is metal, uncoated, and rustproof on both the vehicle and trailer sides.
Which circuits are on a 4-way trailer connector versus a 7-way?: A 4-way carries right turn, left turn, ground, and tail/marker. A 5-way adds brake, a 6-way adds battery, and a 7-way adds back up.
Where should the red battery wire be attached on the vehicle?: To the fuse block or a FUSED battery lead; on the trailer side it goes to the breakaway kit, interior lights, and battery charger.