Question About Towing Plug
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 6
Question About Towing Plug
I have a buddy that has a 1997 F150. He says that his trailer plug was spliced (hacked) straight in to the truck's harness and whoever did it did a crappy job and cut the wires about 1/8 inch from the harness plug. When I mentioned that he should put in a T-connector he said that he's been told by part stores that nobody makes them.
I find that hard to believe. Can someone verify this for me?
I find that hard to believe. Can someone verify this for me?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Lets first see if he is talking about a 4 lead connector or a 7 lead and intended trailer size if electric brakes are required..
Then, he needs to know that trailer connectors use is a separate function for power from the fuse protection point.
This separate power source is to prevent loss of lighting on the truck should a short occur on a trailer.
He cannot just tap into the directional and light leads and expect not to upset flasher timing and power loading on existing circuits.
The proper way is to install the correct harness for trailer towing and put in the relay and fuses required.
Otherwise it is just a hack job with no reliability for either the truck or trailer.
Likely not what he want's to hear but this is the proper way for the reasons above.
Good luck.
.
Then, he needs to know that trailer connectors use is a separate function for power from the fuse protection point.
This separate power source is to prevent loss of lighting on the truck should a short occur on a trailer.
He cannot just tap into the directional and light leads and expect not to upset flasher timing and power loading on existing circuits.
The proper way is to install the correct harness for trailer towing and put in the relay and fuses required.
Otherwise it is just a hack job with no reliability for either the truck or trailer.
Likely not what he want's to hear but this is the proper way for the reasons above.
Good luck.
.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Hills
qman, if you are asking if there was a T-connector harness that could have been installed prior to the hackjob (or after, if he puts the wiring back to factory), then the answer is yes - it is this one:
Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring for Ford F-150 and F-250 Light Duty 1997 - 118242
I just installed one in my '03 F-150. The connector is pretty far forward - ahead of the spare tire, and about 1 1/2" x 1 1/2", in one of the rails. I did need to use the two relays, but the truck was already fused - which is good, since the fuses were the wrong style (my truck takes the square-ish maxi fuses).
Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring for Ford F-150 and F-250 Light Duty 1997 - 118242
I just installed one in my '03 F-150. The connector is pretty far forward - ahead of the spare tire, and about 1 1/2" x 1 1/2", in one of the rails. I did need to use the two relays, but the truck was already fused - which is good, since the fuses were the wrong style (my truck takes the square-ish maxi fuses).
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