We purchased a brand new 16' tandem trailer last night. Plugged it in to my husbands 2011 F150 and hooked it up, lights went on, directionals, hazards, and break lights will not go on UNLESS the trailer light itself is taken off the trailer. We are thinking a grounding issue.

Here's the kicker guys, the owner of the trailer pulled his truck up to the trailer, everything worked fine!

We pulled our 2011 F150 up to another trailer, same issue, only the running lights works.

Two days ago a old single axle trailer worked fine, break lights, directionals, everything.

When the owner put electrical tape around the bolts that connected the lights to the trailer the directionals worked, then they tightened up the nuts it touched the metal part of the trailer, it (meaning directionals, hazards, break lights) stopped working, (but the running lights stayed on). Are we tripping or what the heck is going on here?

Any advice? And thank you!!!

 

If I remember correctly there is a fuse that has to be put in for trailer lights and that spare fuse should be located in the glove box.

 

I might be just a female but wouldn't the running lights not work at all if the fuse was missing or burnt out?

The only thing that isn't working is when he turns on the directionals, hazards and breaks. Other than that they are on.

 

I dunno but it couldn't hurt to check it out. I've never ran the 7 pin stuff just the basic 4 pins connected between the brake lights.

 

I just remember reading a thread on this very problem. Should also be addressed in the owners manual.

 

I just called Ford. They told me there is a fuse, (just like you said WhiteBeast) that you have to install in order to tow a trailer. The running lights will work but nothing else. I swear that old trailer worked but anyhow we are going to try it when we get home and if it works (or doesn't) I will post and let everyone know.

Thanks again!

 

the fuse in the glove box is for aux power for the 7 pin connector which carges the battery on the trailer.

 

just wondering ... did your truck come with the towing package?

first time i've heard of this.

 

Yes, the truck came with the whole towing package, plugs for a 7 and 4 pin connections. We couldn't figure out what the fuses were for and it said nothing in the manual about using a fuse "first" to tow a vehicle. Matter of a fact, it said nothing about needing to do anything to the vehicle.

We checked the connections with a (excuse my ingorance) little electronic machine and the connections coming out of the truck failed on one of them, the one that runs the lights (directionals etc).

We are taking it to Ford today.

 

brakes.

i hope the dealer can figure your brake problem out and get you guys on the road with your new trailer.

 

fuse #73 powers the relays for Stop/Turn funciton.

relay 37 and 38 control Trailer left and right Stop/turn.


fuse 67 powers the relay for Trailer running lamps
relay 6 controls Trailer running lamps

If you have no stop and no turn lamps at the trailer, check fuse #73 first, as this powers the 2 relays which control those functions

if you have no running lamps, check fuse 67 first.

i cant remember exactly which problem you are having....

all of these fuses and relays are located under the hood in the high current fuse pannel.

not sure if it helps or not, but all of the fuse locations are on page 328 of your 2011 owners manual.

 

You guys are so smart! It was fuse #73 that had blown on our previous trailer. Ford changed it out for me and boom goes the dynamite, it works fine!

 

glad you got'er fixed!

happy trails!

 

Just a quick note, I'm from New Hamsphire, born and raised till I joined the Air Force.

 

I found this old post which also pertains to me, but my truck is a 1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Would the #73 fuse still be applicable for that my truck. Replaced the wiring harness (T Connector) all wires show power except the left brake and turn signal on the trailer side. Truck brake and turn are functioning fine. Thanks for any assistance.