Interior Trailer Lights

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 16, 2011 | 02:49 PM

tim432

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Interior Trailer Lights

I want to be able to turn on my interior trailer lights without having to turn the ignition to the on position. Has anyone done this?

Nov 16, 2011 | 03:02 PM

1973Ford2004

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 343

Likes: 0

From: maine

I've thought of it myself, but haven't done it. I was thinking of hooking up a couple of separate lights and running off a marine battery and tying it into my trailer brake battery for charging. Or maybe just switching out the trailer brake battery for a bigger one. Seems it would be easier than running a wire all the way from the truck.

Nov 16, 2011 | 03:59 PM

BillyBob69

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 7,406

Likes: 52

From: Wheatland, Mo

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1973Ford2004

You have the right idea. Trace the main power wire from the switch for the interior lights, and connect that to the trailer battery. If you don't have a trailer battery, then either get one or....you can run an additional 12V wire through the trailer connector. Not many pepole have the center pin on a 7pin connecter used. You can just supply constant power through that one. But keep in mind, that point on the truck side of the connector will always have power and will start building up corrosion on it. Just something to keep in mind.

Nov 16, 2011 | 04:09 PM

rs4-380

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 95

Likes: 1

From: Maine

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyBob69

if you are going to do that, please at least run it through a relay. THe interior light switch wiring is not up to the task of flowing enough current to charge a dead battery (which is what will happen it you hook a dead trailer battery up to a constant on source from the truck).

Nov 16, 2011 | 04:17 PM

BillyBob69

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 7,406

Likes: 52

From: Wheatland, Mo

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs4-380

I actually meant to wire it to constant 12 from the truck when plugged in. This will eliminate the need to have a trailer battery. However....In case of a dead trailer battery..yes...you need a relay if charging a trailer battery from the truck....which these trucks already have set in place.

Nov 16, 2011 | 04:19 PM

tim432

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

So the trailer brake battery, it is indeed charged from the truck? Think I will also replace the interior dome lights with LED's to conserve power. Thanks!

Nov 16, 2011 | 05:58 PM

RV_Tech

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10,060

Likes: 491

From: Bristol, TN.

If you do not have a trailer battery, you do not have a functioning independent braking system in the event of an emergency requiring a break-away. It really does happen.

Steve