"Trailer Disconnected"
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
"Trailer Disconnected"
I towed a small utility (ATV) trailer yesterday. I know it's not much weight, but it sure was more enjoyable than towing with my old Dodge. My trailer only uses a 4 wire connector, (no trailer brakes), and found out that, apparently, your trailer must have trailer brakes in order for the vehicle to recognize if a trailer is connected or not. I was kinda disappointed, thinking I could track my milage towing with the small trailer, which I do a lot of. I verified this through the owners manual, but please let me know if I'm mistaken.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Sunshine Coast, BC
I towed a small utility (ATV) trailer yesterday. I know it's not much weight, but it sure was more enjoyable than towing with my old Dodge. My trailer only uses a 4 wire connector, (no trailer brakes), and found out that, apparently, your trailer must have trailer brakes in order for the vehicle to recognize if a trailer is connected or not. I was kinda disappointed, thinking I could track my milage towing with the small trailer, which I do a lot of. I verified this through the owners manual, but please let me know if I'm mistaken.
is connected.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA
If the only way for the truck to show a trailer is connected is through the brake controller, what if you try this...
Build a 7-pin to 4-pin adapter. Take the output for the trailer brake and connect it to a simple lamp. The truck will see a connection and when you apply the brakes, the output from the brake controller will light up the lamp. The lamp brightness will vary with the output from the brake controller. Maybe there is something else you ca put online instead of the lamp that can complete the circuit.
Build a 7-pin to 4-pin adapter. Take the output for the trailer brake and connect it to a simple lamp. The truck will see a connection and when you apply the brakes, the output from the brake controller will light up the lamp. The lamp brightness will vary with the output from the brake controller. Maybe there is something else you ca put online instead of the lamp that can complete the circuit.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
i pull a 16 foot flatbed utility trailer with electric brakes(7 pin connector) and i still get the "trailer disconnected" warning. i have programmed both the 5er and utility trailers in the system. when i pulled the utility i did not go to the program to let the computer know that i had connected the trailer. maybe this is why i got the warning. anyone?
New User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I am having the same issue.....hooked up to my 14' cargo trailer with 7-pin connector and display is showing trailer disconnected??
I went through all the menus and added and named the trailer, checked the manual and still showing trailer disconnected....
Anyone have any more suggestions on how to correct this?
I went through all the menus and added and named the trailer, checked the manual and still showing trailer disconnected....
Anyone have any more suggestions on how to correct this?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Check your connections inside the trailer plug. I had the same issue with my car trailer. If I pulled the plug out and reinsert it or sometimes just jiggled the connection it would stop telling me it's disconnected. I finally changed the plug, redid the ground on the trailer and the problem has stopped.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,637
Likes: 0
From: Roll Tide, Roll
I have found on some of my trailers. if i just put a small bungy around trailer plug and hook to truck plug bracket, it fixes that concern. I dont think trailer connecter fits tight enough. or other way around. Now this may not be your problem but it takes care of mine.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, MI
I have a enclosed cargo trailer that I use daily for work and one day I started getting the "trailer disconnected" warning and it ended up being an issue in the electric brakes themselves. I had never serviced them so I just bought complete new assemblies and put them on and the problem was gone.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 4
From: Jackson,WY
i pull a 16 foot flatbed utility trailer with electric brakes(7 pin connector) and i still get the "trailer disconnected" warning. i have programmed both the 5er and utility trailers in the system. when i pulled the utility i did not go to the program to let the computer know that i had connected the trailer. maybe this is why i got the warning. anyone?
I am having the same issue.....hooked up to my 14' cargo trailer with 7-pin connector and display is showing trailer disconnected??
I went through all the menus and added and named the trailer, checked the manual and still showing trailer disconnected....
Anyone have any more suggestions on how to correct this?
I went through all the menus and added and named the trailer, checked the manual and still showing trailer disconnected....
Anyone have any more suggestions on how to correct this?
I would suggest that you go over your trailers with a fine toothed comb looking for wiring issues.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 63
From: Texas
Same here, drives me nuts as I wish it would work.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
That is what it sounds like. With the other post commenting on brake issues solving the problem.
