cleaning 7-pin receiver connector on truck

Omrod wrote:
I do not want to short out anything by using a metal brush.
So what is the best way to clean the receiver on my truck?

If you disconnect the truck battery and then use your metal brush, then ensure there are no metal brush parts stuck anywhere, you shouldn't be able to short anything out.

Thanks for the replies. What happens is . . . I'm traveling down the road, pulling my camper I and get: ding, ding, ding and a message saying "Trailer Connected". I dismiss the message and a little while later it does it again. It gets annoying after a while. My battery is fine no corrosion there and it doesn't look real corroded inside the plug. I was hoping there was "magic" spray with baking soda or something.

When was the last time you cleaned your battery terminals? Disconnect batteries, brush trailer outlet, blow out any shed bristles, spray with dielectric, clean and re-connect battery.

Is there a lot of crud inside?...might hit it with a power washer. (Shouldn't be an issue but give it a day or so to dry out before towing if you are worried).

Shouldn't be any harm as the spray going down a wet salty road is far worse.

After pressure washing, you should be able to differentiate dirt from corrosion.

Omrod,

I think you should try to find out what "Trailer Connected" really means when the trailer is not connected.

That would tend to indicate that there was some connection where none should be. Yes, it is probably corrosion that is causing it and it would lead me to think it was in the socket on the truck.

Matt

In the old days I used to drill out the female connectors to get rid of corrosion. Also try spraying Corrosion X into the male connectors.

When I get that message I just disconnect and connect the trailer plug a few times and the message goes away.

Fine emery board or if you are near your trailer, plug in and unplug several times.