Dave the Ford Owner

Hi There


this is my first post.
Does anyone out there have some advice or experience with the 2016 F150 Trailer Tow plug ?
I have a lot of experience with this as it is part of my job, but as it has been explained to me by the dealer, this plug/truck has smart technology ?
The trailer needs to have a 12V battery on board.
Which in turn the truck senses, and then turns on the juice to the trailer plug.
Any thoughts out there on this ?

BCMIF150

Many trailers do not have a battery on board so that can't be correct. Even the running lights on a travel trailer do not use power from the on board battery.

The only thing I can see needing a battery to turn on would be the 12 volt charging circuit.

Are you just trying to get running lights to work, or charge a battery?

Dave the Ford Owner

Hi there


Yes what I do need is the 12V + to work because I am charging a battery.

brulaz

Trailers with brakes need a 12V battery on board and a "break-away" switch to engage the brakes if the trailer ever separates from the tow vehicle.

So normally the trailer battery is disconnected from the brake circuit by the "break-away" switch.

I think Ford somehow uses the brake circuit to detect if the trailer is present.
I don't think that it would activate the 12V charge line if the trailer brake circuit was not present. But I could be wrong.

atwowheelguy

Back when I bought my new '13, I had to install a relay and a fuse that came in a plastic bag in the glove box.

Pugga

iTrader: (1)

x2, didn't realize that my first trip and was pissed that my trailer didn't charge for the entire 6 hour ride.

subpay

When I installed my 5th wheel hitch, the kid at the shop hooked u his test box and told me there was no 12V power. It ends up that as you start the truck with the trailer plugged in, your foot must be on the brake before the battery breaker relay sends power to the trailer.

Feathermerchant

I thought that you had to set up the trailer in the truck's memory for the +12V to work.

subpay

I thought it went to "Default Trailer". At any rate I have power to the brake controller now.

cameronskidoo

This is the stupidest thing ever!
I have a 12v jack on my trailer.
Now I have to get out, plug in trailer, go back to truck, step on brake, then go back to trailer and the jack will work.

I hope some one can figure a way around this dumb design.