Hello again. We picked up our new 21 foot interstate trailer on saturday but have one question. How do you make the two interior lights turn on? They don't come on even when hooked up to our truck. The brake/cargo lights work but not interior lights. The trailer has a battery for the emergency brakes but that's it. Do we need to buy a battery for the trailer too??

p.s. The Stroker laughs at the trailer...can't even tell it's there.

 

I don't know about the Fords, but a Chevy has an aux power through through the trailer hookup that requires a fuse. In the GM truck, it's a 40 amp fuse labeled Aux Trailer. The fuse comes with the truck, but is not installed in the holder. I'd just take a look at your book - look under aux trailer lights.

Jaybee

 

Some of the newer fords with the prewired plugs ... the truck must be running to power the interior lights.

 

The truck was running when I tried the interior lights. Neither of the lights are burned out. I will try to look for a fuse tomorrow morning. Any other ideas? How would I connect a batter to this trailer if I didn't want to be connected to my truck for lights?

 

If you look at the seven pin connector on your truck, the pin in the 1 0'clock position is set up for 12v power to the trailer. If the truck is hooked up for this, you should be able to read 12v between this pin and ground - doesn't matter if the truck is running or if it's off. If you don't get 12v here than either there is a fuse blown or missing or your truck was never wired for the 12v aux power. Either find the fuse and install or run a hot line from the battery, through an in-line fuse back to this pin on the connector. If you do have to run a new wire, it needs to be a heavier guage - 12 ga or 10 ga should work. In addition to getting interior lights on your trailer, this should also charge up the small breakaway battery for the electric brakes.

My '96 GMC did not have this wire, even though it did have a 7-pin connector. My '02 did have the wire, but needed the fuse plugged in to work.

Jaybee

 

It will matter if it's running or not. The Ford trucks are not wired constant hot with the key off. The key has to be on for a Ford to have power to the plug. GM and Dodge stay hot with or without key on.

All the SuperDuty trucks since they came out in 1999 have been like this.

I would like to know the exact year of the truck. He said it was a Stroker so it's obvious it's a Ford. If he could give a little more info and can tell him what to look for.

Buck

 

The truck is a 1997 F-250 heavy duty powerstroke. I checked the 7 pin connector, and it is wired. I also checked in my fuse box and all the fuses are used and not blown. There is not a seperate trailer aux place. This truck was used for construction so I know that the plug on the truck is wired for everything possible. I'm really confused about this one... It would really be nice to have inside trailer lights. Any other suggestions??

 

If you are getting 12v at that 1 0'clock pin then it's not your truck. Could be that the trailer is not wired for aux up to the connector, an additional fuse on the trailer or a broken wire or poor connection causing a bad curcuit. Since the trailer is new, why don't you check back with the dealer to see if they can help you troubleshoot.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I will check the 1 o'clock pin as soon as I get a chance. As far as talking to the dealer...well he is a retard, that's how we got the trailer for $2,000 off! He is not very bright.....

 

Hey guys, kind of an old topic but I'm just getting the time to fix this problem once and for all. I hooked my friends 97 dodge up to my trailer and the interior lights worked! However my friends 2001 chevy and my 97 ford still don't power up the lights. Does anyone have an owners manual for a 97 Heavy Duty? I want to know if this is a simple fuse issue before I run an intire power line.

If it comes down to this, how do I run a power line? I'm thinking of taking the truck to a local trailer shop and having them look at it. Thanks in advance