Trailer Hitch Wiring Issue
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Trailer Hitch Wiring Issue
Time for another story?
I had a 7pin electrical trailer connector fitted with a brake controller an a hitch to my f150 ,thought everything was fine, until... I was towing cross country in the freezing weather I decided to sleep in the camper ...NO POWER. ended up battery flat and it came to fruition the shop did not connect the power/charge pin on the connector.I have checked and the relay and the fuse for this is installed .How do I connect it up? and a note for anybody else if your battery aint charged the brakes wont work either if the trailer breaks away!
2006 f150 8ft bed 4.1 diff 5.4l
I had a 7pin electrical trailer connector fitted with a brake controller an a hitch to my f150 ,thought everything was fine, until... I was towing cross country in the freezing weather I decided to sleep in the camper ...NO POWER. ended up battery flat and it came to fruition the shop did not connect the power/charge pin on the connector.I have checked and the relay and the fuse for this is installed .How do I connect it up? and a note for anybody else if your battery aint charged the brakes wont work either if the trailer breaks away!
2006 f150 8ft bed 4.1 diff 5.4l
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From: Michigan
John- from your note it sounds like you don't have the factory tow and go?? I will have to look at mine and see what wire is for the charger tonight. I do know if our ignition key isn't turned on, I have no power to my interior lights 
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John74,
I haven't checked my charging system or my brakes, but I did check the lights this weekend. My turn signals and brakes work, but no running lights. I'll make sure that I check the charging system and brakes this weekend before I run down the lights. Thanks for the info...Doug
I haven't checked my charging system or my brakes, but I did check the lights this weekend. My turn signals and brakes work, but no running lights. I'll make sure that I check the charging system and brakes this weekend before I run down the lights. Thanks for the info...Doug
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When I bought the Truck I got a Tow package with the 4 pin connector.I know having further investigated that in the kick panel on the passenger side the fuses are located for the power/charge option .I actually thought they had blown before I realised the emptyheads at the shop did not contact the wire.Incendently when I explained to the guy in the shop he said he didnt know that wire was required! Then he phoned me back wanting more money and said he had to wire to the battery and buy a fuse! I said I wanted it wired proper through the ford hardware like it was supposed to.I also explained to him the reason I got somebody to wire it was in case it ever failed ,and as far as I am concerned if the trailer was to break away and the emergency brakes failed he would be at fault .If I cant find out how to do it I will take it were I should have went , THE FORD DEALERSHIP.
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From: Michigan
John- you are correct about the fuse panel. The trailer battery charge is a Orange wire at the relay, pin 84 0r 87. At least that's what is listed in wiring manual. It goes to Pin 5 of the 7 pin connector for the trailer harness. Should be at the 3 o'clock position. You will probably have to remove some of the tape on the wiring bundles to find it, but look for the a orange wire. Or you'll have to run a single lead from the fuse box to the connector. I wouldn't wire it to the battery since it will always be hot. If you need more info, I can scan in the schematics if that would help you better.
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From: Chicago Area, Illinois
twinsdad is absolutely right, wiring the hot lead to the trailer plug directly to the battery is a bad idea. when you wire it to the relay and fuse at the fuse panel, it is switched so that there is only power going to the trailer when the key is on or the engine is running. my boss made that mistake on his 1993 E-150, he always left the van and trailer connected and the trailer constantly drained his battery in the van. he went thru 3 batteries untill he decided to check it out!
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Thanks you guys,
Twinsdad I am on second I will get a chance tomorrow to check it out, I might need you to scan the schematics I will see how I get on.I hate stuff not being right especially when you pay somebody else to do it and you have to do it again.Just out of interest what do you tow Twinsdad?
Twinsdad I am on second I will get a chance tomorrow to check it out, I might need you to scan the schematics I will see how I get on.I hate stuff not being right especially when you pay somebody else to do it and you have to do it again.Just out of interest what do you tow Twinsdad?
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From: Michigan
I just have a little 7x14 Legend motorcycle trailer. Bought it more to move out of the house when I got divorced. I had friend who worked for Legend otherwise, I would have gone with a cheaper trailer, but couldn't pass up the deal. The ex also insisted our jd garden tractor stayed at house. So once a week, I hook up the trailer and go get it to cut my yard and take it back. Only about 20 miles, but pia. I have used it to take my harley in for service occassionally.
BTW- I have a picture of my trailer in my gallery. Not a great shot, but you can seed my setup in the back ground.
BTW- I have a picture of my trailer in my gallery. Not a great shot, but you can seed my setup in the back ground.
Last edited by Twinsdad98; Mar 12, 2008 at 07:11 PM. Reason: add info about gallery
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Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Just about everything you need to know is RIGHT HERE AT THIS LINK:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...2-15-08-a.html
Or in the forum you find it in.
These issues and many others are some that the Towing Trailer and Fifth Wheel forum has dug into over the last two years or so.
Your main issue is that an F150 from the factory is not expected to have a sevenway connector, because it implies towing a trailer that might be beyond the rated load of the truck.
Since there are a lot of trailers that an F150 CAN easily pull, these issues come up a lot at RV dealerships.
I no longer work on RV's, but I bagged a ton of info before getting layed off for the last time during yet another slow season in Memphis.
(I work at a transmission shop these days)
~Greywolf
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...2-15-08-a.html
Or in the forum you find it in.
These issues and many others are some that the Towing Trailer and Fifth Wheel forum has dug into over the last two years or so.
Your main issue is that an F150 from the factory is not expected to have a sevenway connector, because it implies towing a trailer that might be beyond the rated load of the truck.
Since there are a lot of trailers that an F150 CAN easily pull, these issues come up a lot at RV dealerships.
I no longer work on RV's, but I bagged a ton of info before getting layed off for the last time during yet another slow season in Memphis.
(I work at a transmission shop these days)
~Greywolf