I have an 03 Tribute ES-V6 with factory tow package. The trailerI have totow my boathas a hydraulic surge brake. This trailer requires an extrawire to be connected to the tow vehicle's reverse light, allowing the trailer to be backed up without damaging its brakes.

I was given a new5-pin electrical connector with about 3 ft of wire to replace thefactory installed 4-pin electrical connector in my Tribute. I'd appreciate any help explaining how best to replace the connector andwhere to splice the extra wire into the reverse light circuit. I'm not an electrician or very familiar with cars, so small, simplewords please. Thanks.

 

Splicing into the tow harness should be fairly straightforward. If you are using weatherproof splice connectors then you can splice right into the exposed harness behind the bumper. If splice connectors are not weather/water proof then you will want to make the splices inside. The harness is easily accessable thru the spare tire area.
White wire is trailer ground
Brown w/ white stripe wire is running lamps.
Yellow wire is Left turn/brake light.
Dark green wire is Right turn/brake lamp.

Your problem, I'm afraid, is going to be with the reverse lights. I assume that your trailer is looking to receive a positive 12 volt signal thru that extra wire for the surge brake when the reverse lights come on.
Does your trailer system have the ability to use a positive 12 volt signal when reverse lights are not on and signal volt for surge brake dropping to 0 volts when reverse lights do come on?
You may need to contact the manufacturer and let them know that the reverse light switch is on the ground or negative side of the reverse light bulbcircuit and not the battery or positve side.

 

I appreciate the response. The trailer did not come with any specs or details pertaining to the installation of the wiring harness. It just came with the harness and a note that said it must be connected into the reverse light circuit so you don't wreck the trailer brakes. I don't know if the system must have +12 or canwork with the opposite. I have written the trailer manufacturerto ask. I am also going to discuss this with the Mazda Dealer to see if they have ever had to do this before. I'll post whatever I find.