2013 F-250 shows trailer disconnected

[swankster]

I've been at the Ford Forums without any luck. My F-250 shows the Boatmate trailer is disconnected. I would like to get it connected as I believe the truck will track the trailer miles. Do you have to have electric brakes for the truck to recognize the trailer?

[nukemustang]

Has it ever recognized it?

Is the trucks electric brake controller connected? I think mine is still in a bag with a fuse and possibly a relay that needs to be installed, I have simple surge brakes on the trailer now so haven't installed it.

I have seen people complain of dirty or bent connectors, so the truck "doesn't see" the trailer, bent spades, or excessive dirt/corrosion on the connectors.

[Dandy21]

I am not sure on the Ford factory controller, but all of the aftermarket and factory GM break controls that I have used only show the trailer connection if the trailer is equipped with electric or electric over hydraulic breaks. I believe it looks for a draw. On the 4 and 5 pin connections there is nothing hooked up to the break control lines so I cannot recognize. In reality it is a trailer brake controller so it should require brakes and does not just recognize the trailer.

[Kenv]

Yes....on the Ford factory controller you have to have electric brakes to show trailer connected. My travel trailer shows connected and lets me move the gain up and down.....Boatmate trailer shows "trailer disconnected". Note...they both use the 7 pin round.

[jesutton3]

Yes the trailer has to have electronic brakes for the truck to see it.

My Ramlin is a surge brake setup so it did not show up. In order for the truck to see the trailer and track the mileage I wired in two replacement brake magnets. The magnets are wired into 7 pin connector and mounted inside the trailer tongue. Now the truck sees the trailer and tracks the mileage.

[swankster]

Thanks all.
jesutton3, I'm going to try your solution.

[swankster]

jesutton3, were you able to splice into your pig tail or did you have to buy a new one. Looks like mine only has 5 wires.

[jesutton3]

Yes they come from the factory with only 5 wires. If you look on the side of the 7 round connector there are 3 screws. Two by where the wires enter. The third is very small and on the side of the plug near the end that attaches to the truck.

Loosen all three screws then you can push the wires in and the top of the plug comes out. You can wire the brake magnets directly to the spade connections this way. The wires that come with the magnets are only a few inches long so they need to be extended.

I removed the factory wire loom to run the new wires with the factory, then replaced with the next size up loom. If you do not look in the tongue and see the magnets everything looks completely stock.

[swankster]

Thanks!