Tech article discussion: 12 volt trailer power
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Tech article discussion: 12 volt trailer power
I'm starting this thread to end up with information for a Tech Article on the 12 volt to trailer. A user came to me wondering and I did not have an answer for him at that time since I pilot an older truck.
What I have, the vehicle recognizes a trailer and energizes orange wire @ the 7 pin when you start the engine and apply the brakes at least once. If you exit the vehicle, power is shut off. Correct?
Need to know what years are effected or when Ford implemented this.
System function is fine, trade offs. Someone using the 7 pin to power a wheel chair lift in the receiver or unloading an enclosed trailer in the dark, no interior lights work.
What is your experience? Is there a mod jumping a wire by the brake controller under the steering column? Inquiring minds want to know.
What I have, the vehicle recognizes a trailer and energizes orange wire @ the 7 pin when you start the engine and apply the brakes at least once. If you exit the vehicle, power is shut off. Correct?
Need to know what years are effected or when Ford implemented this.
System function is fine, trade offs. Someone using the 7 pin to power a wheel chair lift in the receiver or unloading an enclosed trailer in the dark, no interior lights work.
What is your experience? Is there a mod jumping a wire by the brake controller under the steering column? Inquiring minds want to know.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,695
Likes: 12,821
From: Wyoming
Getting power to the trailer has been often discussed here and in the towing forum. Results are varied. Waving a dead chicken and playing AC/DC "Live Wire" while connecting the trailer may provide better results.
The current you get out of the 7-pin isn't much. More of a maintenance charge, at best. When I installed my new LiFePO4 batteries and 640w of solar, I disconnected that from the charge provided by the 7-pin.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
it is the orange wire at the 7 pin that does the charging. for 2020 my manual still says the same. Have to step on the brake to activate the charging,
Something that does not make sense to too since as soon as you plug it in, the truck recognizes a trailer, therefore it should be charging.
Something that does not make sense to too since as soon as you plug it in, the truck recognizes a trailer, therefore it should be charging.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 248
Likes: 40
From: Texas
Quick and dirty way would be to cut the factory hot wire at the back of the 7 way plug and splice in a wire from #5 or #6 upfitter switch and configure the switches to the always hot option.
then you could turn the power off to the plug with the upfitter when it wasn't needed.
You could also just run a stand alone hot wire to the trailer from an upfitter and place a separate 2 pole plug at the rear bumper and wire a matching circuit on the trailer for the interior lights and leave your 7 way untouched for the actual brake system charging.
then you could turn the power off to the plug with the upfitter when it wasn't needed.
You could also just run a stand alone hot wire to the trailer from an upfitter and place a separate 2 pole plug at the rear bumper and wire a matching circuit on the trailer for the interior lights and leave your 7 way untouched for the actual brake system charging.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Boatdude60
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
13
Dec 24, 2017 12:33 PM
