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Just installed a headache rack that I made for my 2016 F-350. What is the easiest way to wire the stop/tail/turn lights (red)? Is there a connector or a wiring harness available for this aside from connecting to the 4-flat? Or do I have to splice directly into the wiring harness? Thanks in advance.
I just ran a flat-4 wire plug all the way back to the plug on the hitch for mine. I ran the white "backup" lights setup as worklights off an upfitter switch. I have a 7-to-4 adapter for the big plug for the trailer that uses a flat 4 connector. I didn't want to cut into the wiring harness, corrosion worried me with the splice location being right in front of the rear tire.
You could get a 7-way splitter like to add an in-bed connector for a 5th wheel/gooseneck. It plugs into a connector behind the factory receiver plug, but instead of running up to a port added to the bed you chop the end off and wire into what you want, which could include reverse lights, and you keep both factory hitch ports open. https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...ady/20110.html
Etrailer might have a plug and play for your truck for a secondary plug for a fifth wheel hitch. You pull the factory harness apart plug in the new harness reassemble and run plug to front of bed. You could either splice into the harness or add a plug to your rack.
I had one on a different truck. I bought the splitter to put a plug in the bed. It plugs in right behind your current trailer wiring 7 pin connector and the wiring harness plugs into the back of it. Similar to christmas lights. Just drill a hole for it in the bed where ever you want it. Then wire your headache rack to a 4 or 7 pin plug as if they were trailer lights and viola, headache rack with lights. Keep in mind, that the splitter will be 7 pin, so if you wire the lights as 4 pin, you will need an adapter. I quickly found out when wiring mine in that it was more of a job that I had originally thought (also required more parts). I would not splice into the trailer wiring connections, if at all possible. It is too easy for something spliced together to come apart, especially slices under the truck.
I actually only had my headache rack in for a short period of time. I could not see out the back glass very well with mine. Made it difficult to maneuver in reverse, or change lanes. It looked really good, just blocked the view too much. Mine was different that the one you built though. Kept the 5th wheel plug in the truck bed even after the rack was removed. Came in handy a few times, even thought I don't own a 5th wheel.
Thanks for the compliment and the advice. I’ve ordered a 5th wheel extension harness and a RV plug and will wire it up soon. As for the lack of vision as DieselBeast01 pointed out, I’ve driven large vocational trucks for many years so I’m quite use to using my side view mirrors for reverse.
Mine had the vented (louvered) slats, and it just made it nearly impossible to look over your shoulder and change lanes. It did make the truck look mean, but i still ended up getting rid of it. I had reverse lights on my headache rack, and I wired them to the factory reverse lights so that they would come on when I unlocked the truck (GMC). Made for a great work lights at night. The brake lights and turns, were wired through the plug though. Not sure if the ford reverse lights come on when unlocking.
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