I recently purchased a 2003 Trails West gooseneck trailer. It has all the standard interior and exterior lights, plus reverse lights and outdoor loading lights with switches. The previous owner said that all of the lights worked for him, however, they do not work with my truck and we can't figure out why. We have a 2000 Ford F350, and the hook up for the trailer lights and brakes is the standard Ford/Chevy/Dodge trailer plug. All of the running lights, turn signals, and brake lights work when it is hooked up to my truck, however the reverse lights, interior lights and loading lights do not work. Has anyone else had this issue? We have checked fuses on the truck, and everything looks good. Is there extra wiring that is needed for my truck to make those lights work on my trailer? If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them!
Posted 2013-01-12 8:55 PM (#149287 - in reply to #149279) Subject: RE: trailer wiring issues
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Canby, OR
Yes, they are reverse lights. The load lights are up above the doors on the back of the trailer, and on the side of the trailer above th tack room door. The reverse lights are immediately above the rear tail lights, and are the same lights, but are clear instead of red.
Posted 2013-01-12 11:01 PM (#149289 - in reply to #149279) Subject: RE: trailer wiring issues
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Depending on the options of your truck, you may find that the truck has to be running to have the aux wire energised. Any circuit supplied by that source, could be wired to the battery protection relay. This prevents the truck battery (ies) from becoming discharged by the trailer.
Posted 2013-01-14 6:55 AM (#149327 - in reply to #149279) Subject: RE: trailer wiring issues
Regular
Posts: 87 Location: Williamsburg VA
Is it possible that the trailer adapter was added to the truck after the truck was purchased? If so the connection for the reverse lights and auxiliary power may not have been wired. Use a test light and check the power in the truck connector. Then you will know if it is a truck or trailer issue. The wiring is explained on this web site except the wire colors may not be the same.
trailer wiring issues
