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AG Mini cable installation for trailers

Updated

This article provides step-by-step instructions to install a 3-wired and 8-wired Asset Gateway Mini cable on trailers.  

Overview 

Fleets can install a cable-powered Asset Gateway Mini with a 3-wire CABLE-AG-31.2-3WR (3-wire cable) or 8-wire CABLE-AG-31.2-8WR (8-wire cable) cable on trailers. 

  • Ideal for trailers: Commercial Trailers, Chassis, Agricultural trailers, and Smaller cargo trailers, RVs, etc. 
  • Tracking capability: Real-time minute-by-minute tracking when tethered to a powered vehicle and falls back to battery-powered scheduled pings when disconnected. 
  • Power source: Constant power from trailer connector junction box

Cable Components

  • Blue connector end: Plugs into Asset Gateway Mini
    • White arrow alignment marking
  • Voltage regulator: Located ~1 foot from the blue end
  • Wire end options:
    • 3-wire version:
      •  🔴 Red wire: Power
      •  ⚫ Black wire: Ground
      •  🟢 Green wire: AUX Line 1
    • 8-wire version:
      • 🔴 Red wire: Power
      • ⚫ Black wire: Ground
      • 🟢 Green wire: AUX Line 1
      • 🟠 Orange wire: AUX Line 2
      • 🟤 Brown wire: AUX Line 3
      • Not currently intended for use: 🟣 Purple, 🟡 Yellow, 🔵 Blue wires

Installation requirements: cable-powered trailer installation 

What comes in the box?

  • Asset Gateway Mini device
  • Self-tapping screws
  • Wood screws
  • Pinhole reset tool
  • CABLE-AG-31.2-3WR or CABLE-AG-31.2-8WR (sold separately - required for this installation)

Tools

  • Power drill
  • Drill bits
  • Pinhole reset tool (included)
  • Screwdriver set
  • Wire strippers
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire crimpers
  • Butt splices
  • Ring terminals
  • Self-tapping screw

Installing a 3 or 8-wired asset gateway mini cable in trailers

Assigning a device to an asset

  1. Locate your device serial number on the label on the front of the device or the craft box.
  2. Use either Fleet App or Fleet Dashboard to assign your device to your asset.

Using Fleet App

  1. Go to More > Devices.
  2. Tap Install Asset Gateway.
  3. Proceed with the steps to assign your asset gateway to your asset.

Using Fleet Dashboard

  1. Create an asset profile and assign an Asset Gateway on the Fleet Dashboard.

 

Selecting a location

  1. Find a flat mounting location.
  2. Follow this guidance on positioning your device:
  • Ensure a clear sky view for optimal performance
  • Vertical positions are often used, but horizontal or vertical are acceptable
  • If placed in a vertical position, ensure the Motive logo will face upward when mounted for best LTE and GPS performance
     

Verifying GPS and LTE

  1. Holding the device in your desired location, press the pinhole using the provided pinhole reset tool
  2. Expected result: LED will flash blue
  • If the LED flashes blue:
  • Device is activated
  • Device is attempting to send its first location
  • Action: proceed to the next step
  • If you see a non-blue LED instead:

These are uncommon states. Follow the guidance below before continuing setup:

  • Solid White:
    Device is booting up or updating
    Action: Wait for the device to complete the process
  • Solid Orange:
    Device has overheated
    Action: Allow the device to cool down before continuing
  • Solid Red:
    Device has low battery
    Action: If you have a different device available, use that one instead to continue setup
  1. Wait approximately 1 minute and then check the asset’s profile in Fleet App or Fleet Dashboard. You should see a location update. 
  2. If a location update does not arrive after ~2 minutes, your device may be in an area of low cellular service or may be obstructed from GPS or cellular service. Consider moving the device to a different position.
  3. Once the device has successfully reported a location, proceed to mount the device. 

 

Mounting the device

  1. Use provided screws (self-tapping or wood screws, depending on surface).
  2. Securely fasten the device to the surface with a power drill.
     

Preparing an Asset Gateway for cable and connecting it

  1. Remove the side panel with a screwdriver.
  2. Unscrew the blue cap inside.
  3. Align the white arrow on the cable end with the white arrow on the device.
  4. Plug in the blue connector firmly.
  5. Tighten the blue cap to secure cthe able.
  6. Replace the side panel and tighten the screws.
     

Electrical Junction Box Connections

Accessing the Junction Box

  1. Locate and open the electrical junction box on your trailer. 
  2. You should find a panel with 7 connector points in it. 

 

Preparing the cable

  1. Run the open wire end of the cable into the junction box.
  2. Optional: Trim excess cable if needed
  • Cut only between the voltage regulator and the bare wire end.
  • Never cut between the red connector and the voltage regulator.
  1. Slice cable insulation ~6 inches from the end.
  2. Peel back to expose individual wires.

 

Preparing the terminal 

  1. Identify RED and BLACK wires (primary connections).
  2. Remove 1 inch of insulation from the RED wire and from the BLACK wire. Use wire strippers or wire cutters for clean cuts.
  3. Form a small loop at the stripped end of the RED wire, and another small loop at the stripped end of the BLACK wire.
  4. Insert each loop into a ring terminal.
  5. Crimp each ring terminal securely in place using a wire crimper.

 

Connecting the BLACK Wire to the correct post for GROUND

  1. In nearly all junction boxes, the GROUND connection post is provisioned by a WHITE wire. Ensure you have identified the correct GROUND connection post for your asset, then proceed. 
  2. Remove the nut from the GRROUND connection post.
  3. Attach the ring terminal from the AG Mini's BLACK wire.
  4. Replace the nut on the connection post. 
desktop-full - 2026-01-13T054839.607.png


 

Connecting the RED wire to the correct post for POWER

Connecting the RED wire to the correct source is essential for the proper operation of the AG Mini. The RED wire must be connected to a power source that remains active continuously when the tethered vehicle's ignition is on. The correct connection point varies depending on the type of asset, so follow the instructions below carefully. 

  • AG Mini Performance with correct connections: Real-time, minute-by-minute GPS pings when the asset is tethered to a vehicle with ignition on.
  • AG Mini Performance with incorrect connections: Less frequent, intermittent GPS pings, due to the device operating in battery-only mode

For Commercial Trailers, Chassis, or Agricultural Trailers with SAE S650 Heavy Duty 7-Way Connector:

SAE S650 Junction Box – Typical Color Mapping:

desktop-full - 2026-01-13T054921.370.png
  1. Locate the Auxiliary/ABS Power connector pin. 
  • This is typically identified via a BLUE wire coming from the asset itself, and is sometimes labeled “BLU” in writing. 
desktop-full - 2026-01-13T055106.267.png
Note: The Aux/ABS Power pin is traditionally called “Pin 7” but it may or may not be located in the 7th position in the junction box. It is often located either in position 4 or position 7 in the junction box. 
Note: You may find that other wires, of various colors, may already be attached to the receiving end of the connection post. Disregard the color of those wires and focus on the source wire as shown in the diagram above to identify the correct connection post.
  1. Remove the nut from the Aux/ABS connection post.
  2. Attach the ring terminal from the AG Mini's RED wire.

  3. Replace and tighten the nut on the connection post. 

     

For RV Trailers and Small Cargo Trailers (less common):

These assets have different wiring and coloring standards than commercial trailers. Typically, the junction box will provide constant power to the BLACK wire, which is often the “12V Power” supply. 

  1. Consult your owner’s manual and test the power source to ensure that constant power is flowing when the ignition is on.
  2. Once you have identified the correct connection post, connect your AG Mini’s RED wire to that post. 
  3. Remove the nut from the connection point.
  4. Attach the ring terminal from the AG Mini's RED wire.
  5. Replace and tighten the nut on the connection point.
     

Auxiliary Wiring (8-wire cable only, optional)

  • The green, orange, and brown wires can be connected to various functions for future monitoring capabilities. 
  • You may consider connecting these auxiliary wires to functions such as brake Lamps, or Tail Lights. Please consult your trailer’s guidance document to understand where each of these components is available for connection.
  • If you choose to connect these wires, take note of which color wires you have connected to which function, as future software capabilities of the Motive platform may enable you to monitor these functions. Alternatively, you may choose to simply stub these wires. 

Optional power verification

  1. If you are able to tether a vehicle to the asset, do so and then turn the vehicle on. 
  2. If your device is behaving correctly, it will update its location in the Motive Fleet App and Fleet Dashboard every 1 minute when cable power is flowing. You can observe this behavior by noting the ‘last updated’ time for the asset. 

 

Final Assembly

  1. Replace the electrical junction box cover.
  2. Tighten all electrical junction box screws.
  3. Verify cable routing is secure and protected.

 

Operating Behavior

  • When tethered to a powered vehicle:
    • Receives constant power from the trailer connector.
    • Provides minute-by-minute real-time tracking.
    • Eligible for automated Travel Groups with moving vehicles that use Motive Vehicle Gateway.
  • When untethered to a powered vehicle, or when tethered to a vehicle that is not powered:
    • AG Mini automatically switches to the internal battery.
    • Returns to scheduled GPS ping intervals (e.g. ,8h, 12h, or 24h).
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