Preparing Your Vehicle to Tow

Before you hit the road, make sure your tow vehicle is set up correctly. Every Timberleaf needs a working 7-way trailer socket, a 2″ Class III (or higher) receiver, and a ball mount height that keeps the trailer level.

7-Way Connector

Every Timberleaf trailer requires a working 7-way trailer connector. A 4-pin only provides basic running and turn lights — the 7-way adds power, brakes, and reverse circuits that make your trailer safe and self-sufficient on the road. Most  trucks and SUVs can be upgraded easily by a hitch shop if they don’t already have a 7-way socket.

7-way socket — required for Timberleaf trailers.

What the 7-Way Does

The 7-way plug isn’t just for lights — it’s how your vehicle and trailer share power and control signals. Here’s what each wire does and why it matters:

Color	Function	Description
White	Ground	Main return path for all trailer circuits; must be bolted to clean metal.
Green	Tail / Marker Lights	Powers all running and clearance lights when headlights are on.
Brown	Right Turn / Brake	Controls the right-side brake and turn lights.
Red	Left Turn / Brake	Controls the left-side brake and turn lights.
Blue	Electric Brakes	Sends braking power from the controller to the trailer brakes.
Black	12-Volt Power	Charges the trailer’s battery while driving (through the DC-DC charger).
Yellow	Reverse Lights	Activates the trailer’s backup lights when you shift into reverse.

Wire colors shown reflect Timberleaf’s standard harness convention, which may differ slightly from SAE diagrams.

Brake Controllers & Power Delivery

To operate your trailer’s electric brakes, your vehicle must have a brake controller connected to the 7-way’s blue wire. There are two ways to handle this:

• Conventional in-cab controller: Installed in the dash, this reads your brake pedal and sends proportional power to the trailer. A hitch shop can wire this into most tow vehicles using the factory brake-signal circuit.
• Au-Tow-Brake (recommended): Our trailer-mounted proportional controller that requires no vehicle modification. It’s installed and calibrated at Timberleaf — either at the factory on a new build or as a retrofit on existing trailers. because the controller lives on the trailer, it works with any future tow vehicle equipped with a standard 7-way socket.

Whether you use a traditional in-cab controller or the Au-Tow-Brake, your 7-way connector is the heart of the system — providing the lighting, charging, and braking signals that keep your Timberleaf safe and road-ready.

2″ Receiver

All Timberleaf trailers require a 2″ Class III (or stronger) hitch receiver. Smaller 1-1/4″ receivers will not fit our couplers or support the required tongue weight.

2″ receiver (top) vs. 1-1/4″ (bottom).

Verify Towing Capacity

Do not exceed your vehicle’s tow rating or tongue-weight rating. Check your owner’s manual or ask your dealer for the exact limits for your trim and options.

Hitch Height Calculator

How to Calculate Drop or Rise

You only need two measurements:

• A: Vehicle Receiver Height — From the ground to the top of the hitch receiver tube.
• B: Trailer Coupler Height — From the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler (ball or Max-Coupler), with the trailer parked level.

Then subtract: A − B = C

• If C is positive, you need a drop hitch.
• If C is negative, you need a rise hitch.

---

Timberleaf Coupler Heights

Use these numbers for B (trailer coupler height), based on your suspension package:

• Standard Package (all trailers): 13¼”
• All-Road Package (all trailers): 15½”
• Off-Road Package (Kestrel & Pika): 19″
• Off-Road Package (Classic): 21″

Note: If you requested custom tires, your trailer height may vary slightly.

---

Examples

Example 1
Vehicle: Subaru Outback (receiver height: 14¾”)
Trailer: All-Road Package (coupler height: 15½”)
14.75″ − 15.5″ = −0.75″ → You need a ¾” rise hitch

Example 2
Vehicle: Toyota Tacoma (receiver height: 18″)
Trailer: Classic with Off-Road Package (coupler height: 21″)
18″ − 21″ = −3″ → You need a 3″ rise hitch

Example 3
Vehicle: Crossover SUV (receiver height: 16″)
Trailer: Standard Package (coupler height: 13¼”)
16″ − 13.25″ = 2.75″ → You need a 2¾” drop hitch

---

What Hitch Do You Need?

Every Timberleaf ships with the correct coupler already installed. You’ll bring the appropriate
ball mount (or Max-Coupler-compatible mount) for your vehicle’s height.

Not sure what you need? Send us your vehicle receiver height and trailer model — we’re happy to double-check it for you.

Example of a properly sized ball mount for level towing.

Important Note

Timberleaf does not install or service tow-vehicle equipment. Please work with your trusted hitch shop or mechanic to ensure your vehicle is fully equipped and safe to tow.