Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Trailer and shell wiring Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 09:59 PM
  #1  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Trailer and shell wiring Problem

I have an 02 Super Crew, When I bought it it did not have a tow hitch or wiring. I had that put on shortly there after to pull my trailer. I just discovered that there is no battery voltage to charge my trailer batteries. Should there be a constant 12 volts on the in the plug along with the battery charge circuite?
Also I just had a shell put on my truck and I am looking where to hook into the brake lights to run the third light above the shell door. Also I need to tap into a constant 12v to run the interior light. Any suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 02:40 PM
  #2  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I guess I must have stumped everyone.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 04:00 PM
  #3  
jbabbler's Avatar
jbabbler
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: DIXIE
Did you install the 6 pin round style plug for the trailer or just the 4 pin pigtail? The 4 pin pigtail has no 12vdc constant. As for the cap, you can just run their wiring to the brake light socket on the back of the cab. That will trigger the cab light when you turn on the bed light or you can run it to a constant 12 v in the overhead light. I would use a plug though so that its easy to remove.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 04:20 PM
  #4  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I used the 7 pin and 4pin combo. I ran a fused wire to my battery direct for the light and will tap into the brake light tonight. Thanks for the response.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 06:18 PM
  #5  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
the 7 pin harness stops on the left frame rail across from the spare tire. from there, you get nothing or a 4 pin connecter to the liscence plate area, unless you order the "towing package" which they then install the bigger harness with the "red" wire that is hot. they also remove the relay up front under hood that puts big amps to the back end for charging batteries. when you get the factory "big" harness you also get the relay. if aftermarket installed, they probably left off the red wire, and / or the front relay.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 07:47 PM
  #6  
jbabbler's Avatar
jbabbler
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: DIXIE
DOH! sorry, meant 7 pin.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2006 | 08:56 PM
  #7  
AzPete's Avatar
AzPete
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Panama City, Fl
On my '01 F150, I did not have the factory tow package.It had the small 4 pin plug. I installed the 7 pin unit. I did find the hot wire stopped near the spare on the right side and there was another wire that ended there also. They both ended at a plug. I could not find pins to make the connection so I just jumpered around the plug and soldered it with shrink tubing. Also, got the relays and plugged them in. On a side note for the trailer battery charging, my car hauler uses the tail light wiring to charge the battery. The company said that the small battery on the trailer may not always like the constant charge. So far, mine has worked great. I also have some work lights wired to the trailer battery.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 08:39 AM
  #8  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I bought the relay for under the hood so I now have the 12V to charge the batteries. It is nice to know I have been pulling my trailer around for two years without charging the batteries. I have yet to find the red power wire, I will look again at the plug by the spar tire. Do you know which wire to hook to the brake light on the shell? I thought I had it until I turned on the right signal and the light flashed. I felt like the little this little dude. Is there a brake power only in the plug by the spare to hook the brake light on so it won't flash with signals?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 09:18 AM
  #9  
AzPete's Avatar
AzPete
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Panama City, Fl
All brake wires at the rear of the truck should flash with the turn signals. The one "brake only" wire is the one going to the third brake light on the cab. This is where you get the power for the shell brake light. I believe this is all accessed from under the headliner or thru removing the third brake light from the cab. Not sure where the wire runs inside the cab.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2006 | 09:35 AM
  #10  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
That makes sense to me that they probably all flash, I was just hoping they wouldn't. Anybody know where that wire runs that powers the Cab brake light?
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2006 | 03:06 PM
  #11  
basecamp's Avatar
basecamp
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Well folks, just an update. I finally ran a fused wire from the battery to power the interior lights on the shell. To get the third brake light to work I finally took all the wires out of the loom and found a single wire that just dead ended in the wire loom with shrink tube on it. I probe it with my test light and found it worked with brake pedal, So I attached the third brake light to it and viola, fixed.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:37 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE