How can I connect a simple LED tailgate light strip on my 2015 F150 Lariat without getting the "trailer towing" status activated? I don't want towing miles added to my truck that aren't real. If I avoid the trailer plug and wire directly to taillights / reverse light will I still get the same result? I believe the computer is monitoring and seeing anything downstream as additional electrical load and equates that to a trailer regardless of trailer plug connected or hardwired to tail lights? What is everyone else seeing or doing to avoid this?

 

Wiring directly to the taillight is what is needed. Posted often.

 

I hardwired mine in to the taillights.

 

I have the putco blade and I wired mine to the trailer wires the 4pin there is an extra red wire in that kit that you have to also connect to the trailer harness but before you need to cut about a 5 inch piece off of it then you have to go in the cab and use that wire to run power to the light strip so the truck doesn’t get confused and it operates normally. Their instructions kept saying to wire them to the taillights and then add the wire in the cab but I did this and it worked and it’s much less of a hassle this way.

 

I can't derive from the video clip you sent if they worked as expected? Do you get any trailer towing feedback? Did directly wiring to the tail lights allow them to work for each function as expected without any errant info codes coming at you while driving like I saw when I plugged it directly in the 4 pin trailer connector?

 

They work perfectly as normal. The truck does not think the trailer is connected, and no codes. They are wired into the driver's side taillight except for the right turn signal that is wired into the right tail light of course.

 

Appreciate the info. I'll go after it in that manner then as well. I have an off brand LED Light strip but it shouldn't really matter. I'll tie in back up white wire in drivers side taillight as well. I'll let you know.