I have a 5th wheel and have installed a hitch for double towing behind the 5th wheel. In order to get the lights on the utility trailer behind the RV, I ran the wires past the RV to the 4 terminal flat service plug on the back of my F-350. That works but it seems to be interfering with my trailer brakes on the RV. Indications are the brakes are working but not very well. Is there a wiring concern with both the RV and the utility trailer being plugged in? BTW, the total weight of the small trailer is 1100 lbs.

Malcolm:I tow this behind my 36CKTS. I switched all lights to led to reduce electrical draw. I tapped into the tail and directional light wiring on the back of the 5er. Everything works the way it's suppose to. C.B.

C.B. wrote:Malcolm:..... I switched all lights to led to reduce electrical draw. I tapped into the tail and directional light wiring on the back of the 5er. Everything works the way it's suppose to. ...That is also how mine came, wired by the factory.

The brakes are not connected into the 4-pin plug, so that should not be an issue. I don't double tow, but I have y-cable off the truck 7-pin going to my truck camper and to my enclosed trailer, which has brakes. No problems running it this way for almost three years.

Do your brakes work better without the second trailer plugged in?

I'm thinking the extra weight of the second trailer is affecting brake performance. I cannot see how the light connections would make a difference.

Double towing - Special wiring? | Good Sam Community

Mondegreen
Explorer
Dec 02, 2014
Wonderful feedback. Thanks. I think I have some checking to do. Out of all that experience, I will find the culprit. It might be that the added weight has caused considerable more brake level input than I expected. But having the assurance that my hookup is not in itself, a problem, helps. I'll check and report.
carringb
Explorer
Dec 02, 2014
I would be suspicious of the ground being overloaded, since that would be the only common circuit with the brakes the and lights of the 2nd trailer. A short to ground anywhere in the 2nd trailer can also cause braking problems.

Also, are you sure you just aren't feeling the push of the extra trailer weight?
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 02, 2014
I'm thinking the extra weight of the second trailer is affecting brake performance. I cannot see how the light connections would make a difference.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 02, 2014
Do your brakes work better without the second trailer plugged in?
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 02, 2014
The brakes are not connected into the 4-pin plug, so that should not be an issue. I don't double tow, but I have y-cable off the truck 7-pin going to my truck camper and to my enclosed trailer, which has brakes. No problems running it this way for almost three years.
n7bsn
Explorer
Dec 02, 2014
C.B. wrote:
Malcolm:
..... I switched all lights to led to reduce electrical draw. I tapped into the tail and directional light wiring on the back of the 5er. Everything works the way it's suppose to.
...

That is also how mine came, wired by the factory.
C_B_
Explorer
Dec 02, 2014
Malcolm:

I tow this behind my 36CKTS. I switched all lights to led to reduce electrical draw. I tapped into the tail and directional light wiring on the back of the 5er. Everything works the way it's suppose to.

C.B.

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Double towing - Special wiring?

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