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tomthyme's avatar
tomthyme
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016

trailer connection issues

Hello Folks!
On my 2015 F350 there is an on screen display that shows me when the 5'er is connected, or disconnected.

For some reason, the connection recently became intermittent. I have checked the in-bed connector, and wiring harness from the 5'er, etc but haven't found anything frayed or wrong that might be causing the system to read "connected" then "disconnected" (it swaps every couple of minutes). It doesn't seem to be associated with braking cycles, etc.

Additionally, the brakes when applied from the truck appear to not be doing the same job they used to when stopping. As a test, I pulled the emergency pin which locked up the brakes just fine on the rig, so I don't think it is the trailer.

I made a cursory check of the fuses on the truck and will go back to check them again, but any other ideas out there?

Thanks

15 Replies

  • I just had the same issue with my truck and trailer recently. Haven't learned how to pin other threads here but if you look under my posts you can find it.

    It's labeled. "Intermittent brakes".

    Turned out to big a pretty good issue and waiting to see what it's going to cost me when I go to pick up the trailer.
  • Basically, all the positive wiring bits you send to the camper all pass through their loads, then are gathered up and come back to the truck as a common negative. The negative wire thereby carries the most current, and as a result usually faults the most because of heating and cooling.

    You said your brakes seem less effective, and the connection seems to flutter. Somewhere, you have a bad negative return wire. If you get to the point where the connection goes bad, connect a jumper to your truck negative, and connect to the trailer battery negative. If that fixes it, first identify the wire to the trailer plug from the battery. Take the plug apart and tighten the individual wire holding screws. Also check the negative battery terminal on the trailer.

    Still a problem? Keep using the jumper to short out smaller sections of the wiring to see if you can isolate one part, either the truck side or the trailer side.
  • rhagfo wrote:
    Get some electrical contact cleaner and use as directed on both sides of the connection.


    which connection? the one from the 5'er to the truck?

    Thanks
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Get some electrical contact cleaner and use as directed on both sides of the connection.