Can NOT get trailer lights to work

[tstex]

duct tape, lol...

I might try buffing the pins w a 300 grit sandpaper, compressor blow it clean, then use a brass tightening clip to secure the plug to the receptacle for now. I will still want to replace the receptacle and another other damaged parts to do a clean job. Going to do that way before it gets to hot in S TX.

Yes Dodge, it is a four pin and I have both 7 & 4 pin receptacles. However, it the harness plug is not securely attaching to the receptacle, neither pin configuration will work - thanks again

 

[RandyT]

If you haven't found the solution, check to make sure you are getting a good ground by attaching using a direct wire from the truck to the trailer frame to troubleshoot. My experience is that trailers have been sitting for while or that are rarely used sometimes do not want to ground through the hitch when just sitting on the ball.

Trailers are not supposed to be grounded through the ball. There is a separate wire on both the 4 pin and the 7 pin that is a dedicated ground wire between the trailer frame and the truck. If that wire is not working you can getting intermittent grounding issues when it tries to ground through the ball, but in some cases it will try to ground through another avenue like back feeding a light circuit, which can cause all kinds of havoc.

 

[tstex]

Trailers are not supposed to be grounded through the ball. There is a separate wire on both the 4 pin and the 7 pin that is a dedicated ground wire between the trailer frame and the truck. If that wire is not working you can getting intermittent grounding issues when it tries to ground through the ball, but in some cases it will try to ground through another avenue like back feeding a light circuit, which can cause all kinds of havoc.

On the neck of my trailer, there is a 5/8" bolt that tightens down to the metal frame. this is where the ground wire from the harness is secured. As noted in the post above, I have a very good ground w clean metal and clean/non-oxidized wire, so I am very good here.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I think I found the problem

The wire assembly that comes from the electrical system will not stay engaged to the trailer adapter area. So none of the back receptacles were getting any power. When trying to attached that assembly, should it click in place or something?

Follow the bundle of wires from that receptacle plug back up to where it goes along the frame to the front of the truck. There is probably a plug connection and you can just go buy that short section.
Something like this,

https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-43395-Simple-Vehicle-Trailer/dp/B004BE7WN4/ref=asc_df_B004BE7WN4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312136743070&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14854758136239697945&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026850&hvtargid=pla-436576598783&psc=1

 

[RandyT]

On the neck of my trailer, there is a 5/8" bolt that tightens down to the metal frame. this is where the ground wire from the harness is secured. As noted in the post above, I have a very good ground w clean metal and clean/non-oxidized wire, so I am very good here.

I read your post with the proper ground but was referring to erikjohn talking about the trailer not grounding through the ball after setting for a period of time. And quoted his post about they shouldn't even being grounding through the ball.

 

[dlctcg]

Not sure if your F150 has this type of truck connector on it...




If it does you can order the entire OEM ford kit for a little over $60.... It includes the 7way / 4way connector & the rear wire harness with retainer clip all plug & play with your F150 harness.... This would replace / repair all the damaged / corroded parts & keep it factory.





Double Check but the part numbers should be:

Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-A - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS W/O REVERSE PARK AID


Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-B - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS WITH REVERSE PARK AID

These part numbers should fit a 2014 Ford F-150 FX2, FX4, King Ranch, Lariat, Limited, Platinum, STX, XL, XLT 3.5L V6 - Gas, 3.7L V6 - Flex, 5.0L V8 - Flex, 6.2L V8 - Gas

Links are for Tasca Ford but you can shop around, just used it for reference... (I have nothing to do with Tasca)

 

[JDZ735M]

If it does you can order the entire OEM ford kit for a little over $60.... It includes the 7way / 4way connector & the rear wire harness with retainer clip all plug & play with your F150 harness.... This would replace / repair all the damaged / corroded parts & keep it factory.

Easy Fix!

 

[pmsmechanic]

Follow the bundle of wires from that receptacle plug back up to where it goes along the frame to the front of the truck. There is probably a plug connection and you can just go buy that short section.
Something like this,

https://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-43395-Simple-Vehicle-Trailer/dp/B004BE7WN4/ref=asc_df_B004BE7WN4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312136743070&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14854758136239697945&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026850&hvtargid=pla-436576598783&psc=1

Or if the wiring is all good and you know what you are doing you could buy just the rear female 7 pin plug (any automotive store) and reuse the existing wiring harness.

 

[tstex]

Not sure if your F150 has this type of truck connector on it...

View attachment 731173


If it does you can order the entire OEM ford kit for a little over $60.... It includes the 7way / 4way connector & the rear wire harness with retainer clip all plug & play with your F150 harness.... This would replace / repair all the damaged / corroded parts & keep it factory.

View attachment 731176



Double Check but the part numbers should be:

Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-A - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS W/O REVERSE PARK AID


Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-B - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS WITH REVERSE PARK AID

These part numbers should fit a 2014 Ford F-150 FX2, FX4, King Ranch, Lariat, Limited, Platinum, STX, XL, XLT 3.5L V6 - Gas, 3.7L V6 - Flex, 5.0L V8 - Flex, 6.2L V8 - Gas

Links are for Tasca Ford but you can shop around, just used it for reference... (I have nothing to do with Tasca)

Not sure if your F150 has this type of truck connector on it...

View attachment 731173


If it does you can order the entire OEM ford kit for a little over $60.... It includes the 7way / 4way connector & the rear wire harness with retainer clip all plug & play with your F150 harness.... This would replace / repair all the damaged / corroded parts & keep it factory.

View attachment 731176



Double Check but the part numbers should be:

Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-A - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS W/O REVERSE PARK AID


Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-B - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS WITH REVERSE PARK AID

These part numbers should fit a 2014 Ford F-150 FX2, FX4, King Ranch, Lariat, Limited, Platinum, STX, XL, XLT 3.5L V6 - Gas, 3.7L V6 - Flex, 5.0L V8 - Flex, 6.2L V8 - Gas

Links are for Tasca Ford but you can shop around, just used it for reference... (I have nothing to do with Tasca)

Thank you dlc..that dog will hunt…I’ll find those parts, order, install & post back w install pics / hopefully this can help someone else in the future..you guys are great !

 

[tstex]

And yes, that is the exact type of trailer receptacle for my f150. Thanks again for everyone ones suggestions & help.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Here all tandem trailers require brakes

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Here all tandem trailers require brakes

It varies from state to state, the one thing that doesn't vary (much) is the 3000 pound limit. Anything over 3000 pounds requires at least one axle to have brakes. At some point, all axles have to have brakes, but I am not sure of that number.

 

[Bearsixty7]

It varies from state to state, the one thing that doesn't vary (much) is the 3000 pound limit. Anything over 3000 pounds requires at least one axle to have brakes. At some point, all axles have to have brakes, but I am not sure of that number.

4,500 pounds in Texas

 

[DieselBound]

At the risk of exposing myself (as incompetent in wiring)...

I recently went to sell a dump trailer. The plug wiring had been chewed off by my dog a couple years prior and I'd wired a new one in its place. As I never used this trailer on the road (just on-farm, behind a tractor) I had never tested it. And wouldn't you know it, I went to test it out hooked up to my truck only to find out that I didn't have lights (some, but they were all messed up). Checked all the wiring on the trailer and all checked out. Verified that the plug was wired up correctly (7 pin). Was totally stumped as my utility trailer worked when hooked up to my truck. After more time than I'd like to admit, I finally figured that I'd wired the receptacle (truck) incorrectly (years ago). And if you're following along you'll understand that this means that my utility trailer is ALSO incorrectly wired (still on my TODO list).

Don't assume that plugs and receptacles are wired correctly. From one perspective they can appear to be, but it's easy to get flipped when looking at schematics and then reversing things as you wire into the back side.

 

[RandyT]

4,500 pounds in Texas

3001-5000 requires brakes on one axle and 5001 and over requires brakes on all axles in Illinois. And trailers that are coming out of the factory with those 8K 2" receivers installed on 7K trailers get derated to 5K in Illinois. Mainly due to the fact that most 2" balls are rated for 5-6K but if you shop around can find them up to 10K

 

[tstex]

Here all tandem trailers require brakes

That's bc in Bama, Saban is hauling around all those 300lb+ lineman and always needs to be a to put the brakes on them !!! lol

 

[tstex]

3001-5000 requires brakes on one axle and 5001 and over requires brakes on all axles in Illinois. And trailers that are coming out of the factory with those 8K 2" receivers installed on 7K trailers get derated to 5K in Illinois. Mainly due to the fact that most 2" balls are rated for 5-6K but if you shop around can find them up to 10K

I actually bought the trailer from a probation officer in CO County in 97, so I am sure the laws were different then. The trailers usage is 99.9% on the farm use and a trip on the road every 4-8 yrs...however, I still want it to be legal. thanks too for the story dieselb...

 

[RandyT]

I actually bought the trailer from a probation officer in CO County in 97, so I am sure the laws were different then. The trailers usage is 99.9% on the farm use and a trip on the road every 4-8 yrs...however, I still want it to be legal. thanks too for the story dieselb...

I don't know about your area, but around that time frame we had a bunch of trailer manufacturers down around Sikeston Missouri. They sold a lot of tandem axle 7K trailers without any brakes, and they also normally would install used car tires. IL would only allow those to be registered at 3K and there was a lot of trailers of that style that got registered at 3K but if the trailer weighs 1700-2K that didn't leave a lot of legal weight for cargo. Most people would tow them well over the legal registered weight, but didn't seem to get much attention.

 

[tstex]

Not sure if your F150 has this type of truck connector on it...

View attachment 731173


If it does you can order the entire OEM ford kit for a little over $60.... It includes the 7way / 4way connector & the rear wire harness with retainer clip all plug & play with your F150 harness.... This would replace / repair all the damaged / corroded parts & keep it factory.

View attachment 731176



Double Check but the part numbers should be:

Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-A - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS W/O REVERSE PARK AID


Ford Part # 9L3Z-15A416-B - F-150 2009-2010 TRAILER HITCH HARNESS WITH REVERSE PARK AID

These part numbers should fit a 2014 Ford F-150 FX2, FX4, King Ranch, Lariat, Limited, Platinum, STX, XL, XLT 3.5L V6 - Gas, 3.7L V6 - Flex, 5.0L V8 - Flex, 6.2L V8 - Gas

Links are for Tasca Ford but you can shop around, just used it for reference... (I have nothing to do with Tasca)

dlc & company,

I chatted w a Tasca customer rep and the first link [16-A] is the part. The harness has one end [rd] for trailer receptacle and other end that's rectangular and plugs in somewhere underneath the back. I asked him if he knew the length of the harness and he did not. If anyone knows, that would be great bc it will tell me in [ft/inches] how far to look from the receptacle to see when the rectangular part plugs into existing harness. This is obviously critical so no splicing is involved. Thank you very much! hope to have this ordered by end of day w all info in hand....

 

[dlctcg]

@tstex

The parts guy at Tasca is sort of correct.... I believe the harness has 5 or 6 direct connect plugs on it... (see pic below)... I believe 2 connect on the right rear & 2 on the left rear near the tail connections on the harness... The others 1 or 2 connect to the truck harness on the frame (I believe one is power & the other is for the fuses & brake controller.... but don't hold me to that)

It is not a very long harness all connections should be at the rear of the truck... when you get the new one & lay it out it is pretty straight forward. I installed one on my brothers truck yrs back... so I'm going on memory...