What Gauge Wire Can Trailer Brake Circuit Have

Question:

Im curious why the white wire is 10 gauge and not the blue wire. Especially with statements like this on your website: Expert Reply: It is recommended that you use 10 gauge wire from the 7-way back to the brake assemblies on your trailer. Anything smaller than that and you might have problems. I would recommend you replace the wiring on your trailer to 10 Gauge Blue Primary Wire # 10-1-1. I agree that the ground wire should be 10 gauge but I also think the Blue wire should be 10 gauge as well. So how about a new part number to fix this in a 7 wire jacketed package? Thanks

asked by: Ron W

Expert Reply:

That is a valid question. We strongly recommend people use 10 gauge wire like the part # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot), but we realize that there are a lot of people who get by with 12 gauge wire.

There are several variables with trailer brake wiring that we generally do not know when our customers ask about the wire gauge that should be used for re-wiring a trailer's electric brakes. The length of the trailer (and the required wiring) and the number of axles (and brake assemblies) can vary and when we do not know all of the particulars for every installation we recommend heavier wire to avoid the potential for problems that could arise if a too-small wire gauge was used.

expert reply by: Jameson C