I've done plenty of towing with my 4-way flat connector and usually just hook it up to the trailer and close the rear hatch on the wires. Now, I need to pull a trailer with brakes that requires a 7-pin round socket. Figuring out how to wire the brake controller, etc. is no problem for me.

But I am unsure where I should mount the external (because the wires are too thick to close the hatch on) socket.

Any suggestions on where to mount this socket? Direct to the bumper? And what's the best way to route the wiring into the interior of the vehicle? I can't seem to find any pictures of an XJ with this type of socket anywhere on the internet so would greatly appreciate anyone who has done this before.

 

flip the bracket up for a templet and drill two small holes in the underside of the aluminum bumper. screw it in place

 

Route the wires behind the rear quarter interior plastic side panel, the one behind the gas filler. from there you can have the wires exit the body outside of the rubber seal for the hatch, near the tail light housing. besure to use a grommet to protect the wires thru the hole you make, and to keep water from running into the inside chaulking maybe required around the wire where is passes thru grommet if grommet is not sealing on wires

for the socket location well if you launch boats you are best not to submerge the connector, more so if salt water! so make sure it is mounted high enough to avoid water when on the boat ramp.
you probably dont want it dangling too low for risk of getting hit by derbies. maybe keep it at the height of the receiver, mounted behind the tow bar cross piece. Id likely hang it from the bumper tucked up close to bottom of bumper as possible, offset from the reciever by half a foot or so to one side. this way the socket wont be dangling lower than the hitch cross bar I think.

 

Any trailer large enough to have trailer brakes is too much trailer to be towing with an XJ! The XJ has neither the brakes nor the weight to control a heavy trailer in an emergency situation. Also, installing a 7 pin connector is just part of the issue, you would also need to install some sort of electronic brake controller. Don't be that guy, use a full size pickup to tow that trailer.

 

[QUOTE=Steve Hayes;3665949]Any trailer large enough to have trailer brakes is too much trailer to be towing with an XJ! The XJ has neither the brakes nor the weight to control a heavy trailer in an emergency situation. Also, installing a 7 pin connector is just part of the issue, you would also need to install some sort of electronic brake controller. Don't be that guy, use a full size pickup to tow that trailer.[/QUOrough a 5 speed TE]

This is all true Steve- The 220 ft/lbs through a 4 speed and the XJ's stock brakes are what I use to pull our little tear drop out of the back yard into a narrow ally and around the block to place the trailer on the street. Then it's connected to our truck: 281ft/lbs through a 5 speed with 4-wheel disk brakes (two piston calipers on the front) and a brake controller set to about 3volts to keep the trailer brakes from locking on the street (much less in the dirt)

 

@AlexisUSA It might be helpful to run the wires you have into a 7 way junction box attached to the underside of your XJ and then make a short harness to go out to your socket. When I did mine the existing wires were a bit of a mess, were to short, too long, frayed, etc. This tidied things up nicely. This is it without the lid which when installed with a bit of RTV seals it up. I also put dielectric grease on the terminals.

btw ... what are you towing?

 

You are correct, Steve. I do have a brake controller ready to install, as well - I would never trust my XJ's rear drums with this 6' x 10'! But I hear you on this not being a great tow vehicle. I've found the Jeep to get a little squirrely even towing a 5' x 8' enclosed. Anyway, this trailer is what I have (inherited) and I'm just taking boxes back and forth to storage across town.

To others in this thread, thanks for the tips. Headed out to fire up my propane heater in the garage and try to get this done before my fingers go numb.

 

Those trailers would be pushing it for sure but XJs are fine for lighter trailers. I tow a 1,500 lb. tear drop trailer (with brakes) and a 700 lb. expedition trailer (no brakes - yet) with both my XJ & LJ and have no issues at all. They're actually enjoyable. Both are within the vehicle specs and I doubt I'll be towing anything heavier.

 

My Homi pulls a sail boat with his XJ, a Nacra 460, and Hobie Dragoon. Both decent sized cats.

 

Guys, I'm stumped on one point: Tapping the brake sensor into the brake switch (by the brake pedal). I have already removed the stock brake switch (white/beige connector) but there are two wire both the same tan/white color running into what I think is the brake sensor. Do I tap into both of these? Or just one of these?

...not my picture...but same as what I see.

 

An auto tranny xj has two brake switch, one for the stop lights, one for tranny torque converter unlock command.
You have refered to both a brake switch and a brake sensor, what is the difference?

 

Thanks, it seemed to turn out not to matter.

Job complete excluding the black aux power wire which I don't feel I need at this time. Thanks all for the help. If towing this rig cracks my XJ in half, I'll have a nice excuse to be in the market for a less-rusty XJ.

 

hello

You don't want it dangling too low since it might be struck by derbies. Keep it installed behind the tow bar cross piece at the height of the receiver. I'd probably hang it from the bumper,