trailer wiring ?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
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trailer wiring ?
well i have a 2000 x with the full tow package, tow brakes etc. the + on the 7 pin connector for the trailer is only operational when the trucks key are turned. what i want to do is make it so it is hot all the time so i can use the lights inside of my enclosed trailer whenever without having to turn the truck on. can anyone help me out with a wiring schematic or something so i can swap the wire.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
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From: SE PA
Maybe I am wrong (have been before) but I think the + line is for the trailer parking lights. At least in both the trucks I have towed with, and my 1995 Haulmark...the interior trailer lights were energized with the truck's parking light circuit.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Peoria, IL
What you need to do is find the trailer tow battery charge relay and bridge the two contact so there is alway a closed connection. You can take the relay apart and solder the contacts closed, or just use a wire, maybe you can even find a replacement relay that is closed all the time.
On the Super duty trucks the trailer tow battery relay is in a seperate relay box under the hood right next to the main rely/fuse box. I'm not sure where it is in an Ex. Actually I just looked in the owners guide for an Ex and it doesn't even list one?
As Western Star mentioned though you are taking a pretty good chance of draining your battery by doing this.
On the Super duty trucks the trailer tow battery relay is in a seperate relay box under the hood right next to the main rely/fuse box. I'm not sure where it is in an Ex. Actually I just looked in the owners guide for an Ex and it doesn't even list one?
As Western Star mentioned though you are taking a pretty good chance of draining your battery by doing this.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
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jayyslow,
I had the same issue on my X, where I wanted power at that + the whole time, and I decided against it, and recommend that you do the same IMHO, because I've killed the battery at least once and getting jumped is a real PITA, especially at night, when you would be using the lights. lol
If you aren't completely set on making the wire hot all the time, I can suggest 2 options.
The cheapest but less bright thing would be to just buy a few LED tap-lights and mount them wherever.
However, If thats not bright enough, I would do like Western Star said (and I ended up doing) and putting a marine battery into the trailer wiring. I put in the biggest battery I could find, fused it and put it in a battery box for under $100 bucks. Not only will that prevent you from killing your starter battery, but it will also allow you to use the trailer lights even when your truck isn't hooked up. Besides, the marine battery is meant for that kind of charge/discharge abuse, unlike a starting battery.
But, if you decide to redo the wiring, I would put a switch in the cab so at least you can turn it off if you want to. Just keep everything big enough to handle the 30A (I think) the stock wire is rated for.
Just my $.02
Good Luck!
Isaac
I had the same issue on my X, where I wanted power at that + the whole time, and I decided against it, and recommend that you do the same IMHO, because I've killed the battery at least once and getting jumped is a real PITA, especially at night, when you would be using the lights. lol
If you aren't completely set on making the wire hot all the time, I can suggest 2 options.
The cheapest but less bright thing would be to just buy a few LED tap-lights and mount them wherever.
However, If thats not bright enough, I would do like Western Star said (and I ended up doing) and putting a marine battery into the trailer wiring. I put in the biggest battery I could find, fused it and put it in a battery box for under $100 bucks. Not only will that prevent you from killing your starter battery, but it will also allow you to use the trailer lights even when your truck isn't hooked up. Besides, the marine battery is meant for that kind of charge/discharge abuse, unlike a starting battery.
But, if you decide to redo the wiring, I would put a switch in the cab so at least you can turn it off if you want to. Just keep everything big enough to handle the 30A (I think) the stock wire is rated for.
Just my $.02
Good Luck!
Isaac
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
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aight thanks guys, i thought about the whole dead battery issue. the lights willl be on most of the night considering at the track my trailer is like party central. my old trailer had generator hook ups for the lights. that trailer had problems so i bought a new 2007 24ft haulmark. i think ill bite the bullet and spend the extra money on a seperate battery setup, thanks alot guys
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Freshman User
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another ?, since im gonna to the seperate battery, can i hook the +12v hookup from the truck to that battery so when im driving it will charge it
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From: Elk Point; Alberta
You can buy a handy dandy little doodad (everything in italics is scientifically based Canadian technical jargon 
) from most travel trailer shops which will cheaply ($40 - $50ish I think) monitor and protect you from overcharging but as long as you go with a forementioned marine battery (which are designed for repeated charge cycles) you won't have any worries. As for the battery running low just set a party rule -- when the lights begin to dim everybody go to bed ( two to a bed works well and requires no lights!!!)
) from most travel trailer shops which will cheaply ($40 - $50ish I think) monitor and protect you from overcharging but as long as you go with a forementioned marine battery (which are designed for repeated charge cycles) you won't have any worries. As for the battery running low just set a party rule -- when the lights begin to dim everybody go to bed ( two to a bed works well and requires no lights!!!)
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Sounds like this thread has resolved the wiring questions...but I thought I'd post a pin out picture of the 7 pin truck and trailer side for future reference if anyone is interested...
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2231673190099735294uOZzjq
joe.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2231673190099735294uOZzjq
joe.
Last edited by X_Hemi_Guy; May 9, 2007 at 11:37 AM.
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