I just installed a tailgate light strip on 2019 xlt sport. I plugged the strip into the 4pin connector and everytime I start my truck it tells me that I have a trailer hooked up. My question is, will this hurt my truck?? Can I just ignore it? I know it's my light strip because I unplugged it and everything is fine. I like the light strip and I'm ok with the message. I just wanna know if this damage my truck?

 

It is fine if you can put up with the message. Or wire into the tail lights.

 

All your mileage is accumulating under trailer.

And your BLIS may be disabled.

 

So I did go into the settings under miles under towing and it still shows "0" miles....and when I go to "trailer selected" the truck tells me no trailer selected....hmm weird...

 

You'll find endless threads discussing this. The recommendation is to NOT plug anything but a trailer into the plug. If you want a light strip, hard wire it to the battery with a fuse.

 

How do you tap your tailgate light strip into your tail lights so your vehicle doesn't think there's a trailer hooked up?

 

Remove the tail lights and just strip/twist/solder the right wires together.

You will need to figure out which wire on the light strip is what (right turn, left turn, brake, reverse, etc..).

You will also need to remove both tail lights as you need the correct turn signal of the light strip connected to the corresponding tail light on the truck.

 

I don't think it adds to total trailer miles if you don't setup a trailer, maybe Ford considered the fact that we might use it for other things.

I built a crossbar for the hitch that has lights in it. I setup the trailer 'Kayak Hitch", and select it anytime I use the adaptor. Lights were not yet installed in this image:

 

As you have discovered, the ONLY wires you can connect to from the trailer harness are 12v+, GROUND, and REVERSE. The TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS have to be, let me say that again, HAVE TO BE, wired into the tail lights of the truck inside the back fenders. Otherwise you will get the trailer connected message and BLIS and CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT will be disabled.

 

I'll try to splice the LED light strip into my taillights this weekend......thx....TBC!