What is SAE J560?
Liam Parker
Updated on May 25, 2026
SAE J560 is the US standard describing electrical connections between truck and trailer (heavy duty vehicles). It includes primary connectors for lighting and auxiliary connectors for supplemental functions.
What is a J560?
The standard SAE J560 for trailer connectors was originally issued in 1951 to create a standard in the commercial vehicle industry for the electrical wiring between heavy-duty truck and trailer. The plug for SAE J560 is physically identical to the trailer connector according ISO 1185.
What is a 7 way receptacle?
7-Way Nylon Receptacles – Made of non-corrosive, reinforced Nylon. – Tramec Sloan Nylon Receptacles feature a direct wired ground for the safest possible connections. – Tramec Sloan recommends ring terminals for the connection between wires and receptacle pins for positive mechanical connections.
What does a 7 pin connector do?
The 7-Way Trailer Plug is around 2″ diameter connector that allows an additional pin for an auxiliary 12-volt power or backup lights. It is usually used for towing heavy-duty cargo trailers, aluminum trailers, dump trailers, utility / landscape trailers, equipment trailers, open car haulers and enclosed car haulers.
What does TM stand for on a trailer plug?
NOTE: Identify contacts by looking into the open end of plug or socket.
| Plug | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LT | YELLOW | Left Turn Signal |
| RT | GREEN | Right Turn Signal |
| TM | BROWN | Tail Lights |
| CENTER | RED | Charge Line |
What is the difference between a 4 pin and 7 pin?
The only real functional difference between them is that on part # 37185 the 4-pole trailer connector is located to the side of the 7-way, rather than under it as with # HM47180. Both adapters plug in at an existing 4-pole vehicle connector and re-format those lighting signals to the 7-way configuration.
What color wire goes where on a 7 pin trailer plug?
What is the Color Code for 7-Way Trailer Wiring?
- Green: Right turn/brake light.
- Yellow: Left turn/brake light.
- Brown: Tail/running lights.
- White: Ground wire.
- Blue: Brake controller output.
- Black: Battery hot lead.
- Purple: Reverse lights.
What is BK on a trailer plug?
BK = output from brake controller (if no brake controller is installed, this light will not light up) BU = reverse lights (if this circuit is not connected on the vehicle it will not light up) RT = Right Turn.
What does TM mean on a 7 pin trailer plug?
Can I replace a 7 pin Ficm with a 4 pin?
Yes you can use either one in any 6.0 however the half shells aren’t compatible with each other for obvious reasons lol one has 7 pins and the other has 4 pins.
