Interior Trailer Lights work around
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 245
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From: Texas
Interior Trailer Lights work around
I have a horse trailer and often have to load it at night after shows. In order to turn on the interior lights in the trailer, the truck must be running. I know that Ford does this to keep you from running down the batteries, but I'm not worried about that because I don't think turning on a couple of trailer lights will kill the batteries. I just don't want to run my truck for 30 minutes while I'm loading.
So is there a work around on this that anyone has tried?
2005 F250 PSD with tow command
So is there a work around on this that anyone has tried?
2005 F250 PSD with tow command
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: SC, USA!
I have to have my truck parking lights on for the horse trailer interior lights to work. Your lights must be wired off of the circuit that is powered only when the truck is on. If there is nothing else "heavy" that runs off of truck power (refrigerators, inverters, etc.), then you could re-wire your trailer plug to the running lights circuit.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: South TX
nemrehs300-
There are several ways you can do this. One, you may only have to turn on the key to get power, not run the engine. May even work in Accessory position. Mine does, but I have the dual battery set up.
OR, You can bypass (jumper) the relay in the battery JB under the hood. That will give you power to your 7 pin all the time, but you could run your battery down.
By far, the best way is to install a battery on the trailer to run your lights (or most any other load). Wired to the 7 pin, this battery will get charged while you're driving.
wheels-
If you're running a 7 pin trailer connector, I'd say you're wired up wrong. If you only have a 4 or 5 pin connector, then I guess you don't have much choice.
There are several ways you can do this. One, you may only have to turn on the key to get power, not run the engine. May even work in Accessory position. Mine does, but I have the dual battery set up.
OR, You can bypass (jumper) the relay in the battery JB under the hood. That will give you power to your 7 pin all the time, but you could run your battery down.
By far, the best way is to install a battery on the trailer to run your lights (or most any other load). Wired to the 7 pin, this battery will get charged while you're driving.
wheels-
If you're running a 7 pin trailer connector, I'd say you're wired up wrong. If you only have a 4 or 5 pin connector, then I guess you don't have much choice.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: SC, USA!
Ultraute--
I have a 6 pin connector. It lacks a backup light circuit from the 7 pin. The trailer interior lights have individual switches, they just don't get power unless the truck lights are on. It suits me o.k.
I have a 6 pin connector. It lacks a backup light circuit from the 7 pin. The trailer interior lights have individual switches, they just don't get power unless the truck lights are on. It suits me o.k.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Making the assumption that you have electric brakes on the trailer, you are supposed to have a breakaway switch that engauges the brakes if the trailer comes separated from the truck. That requires a battery, just get a larger motorcycle battery to run the lights from it as well. Charge it from the truck battery feed.
Just my 2 cents
Just my 2 cents
