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Wanted to bump this thread, I was having problems with the same situation. This thread came up on a search when I was trying to find a solution, so I wanted to update with what I ended up doing.
From what I've read from other sources, the truck senses the trailer by measuring current from the lighting circuits. My lift is a Bruno ASL-250, and apparently the lighting circuits that go to the lift don't draw enough current to signal the truck that it exists. So I hardwired to a battery in the bed of the truck while I waited for my solution to arrive. Here's what I got:
And it works great! Once the truck starts I get a "trailer connected" message, and the lift functions normally with power from the 7-pin. The engine needs to be running to get power, but it works.
This is the lift in question with my daughter's wheelchair:
....AND as I found out on my 2015, in order for the battery charge wire to go hot you must first plug in the trailer, start the truck, and step on the brake to let the truck acknowledge the trailer. A message will pop up in the message center in the dash that a trailer is now connected. Not sure how you will be able to use that plug for what you want since this is the new process. My 2013 did come with the relay that you had to install under the hood to activate the 12v charge wire. the 2015's do NOT use this relay. Hope this helps.
Thank you Tx King Ranch. The process you stated works !!!! The engine HAS to be RUNNING AND the Connector HOOKED-UP before you tap the brakes, then the 12v+ will work........Can't believe Ford would not outline this in their Owner's Manuals.
I have a 2015 and received no fuses or relays. On my 2012 I made a jumper for the replay socket so I could have 12v constant power to the 7 pin connector. I would really like to do this with my 2015, so far I can't find anything to do this. I may ultimately run a line from the battery directly to the pin on the connector.
Steve
If you do this, be sure to install a 30 to 40 amp fuse in line! Never, never install a direct feed from a battery to a source without protecting it.
Ford (and other manufacturers I assume) use the built in brake controller (or aftermarket) to detect a connected trailer, and then activate the additional 12V power source. No reason for that 12V source in the 7 pin connector to be hot if it's not connected to anything. Good safety measure I'd say.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 08-29-2016 at 07:23 AM.
09-13-2015, 12:47 PM
