"Trailer Not Connected" message when trailer IS connected

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seadonkey79

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'22 2500 6.7 Cummins. 1st time towing and dash says "trailer not connected." Lights and signals work AND the trailer brakes do work when the service brakes are applied. However, when I manually apply the trailer brakes by squeezing the toggle, they don't work - we don't slow down with the truck idling in Drive, though I do feel a "release" when I let go of the manual brake toggle. Anyone else? Problem with the module? All online advice says check grounds and connections. 7-pin connections look clean with plenty of dielectric grease. Thinking of dropping in on the dealer before we leave for a road trip. Thanks in advance.
 

chopperman1

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Have you ever used the trailer on another truck or is it new too? Most trailer places have a "trailer simulator" which plugs in to the truck to test it. Not the same as a light tester.
 

BossHogg

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This may come across as a stupid question but you didn't tell us much about the trailer. Does the trailer have electric brakes or electric over hydraulic braking? Could be the trailer uses surge brakes.

Also, be careful with dielectric grease, it does not conduct. Too much could hinder a solid electrical connection.
 
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seadonkey79

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No worries, I haven't added any grease, but looking in the connection, the factory applied grease is present. Trailer is a 2015 Airstream with electric brakes.
 
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seadonkey79

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This may come across as a stupid question but you didn't tell us much about the trailer. Does the trailer have electric brakes or electric over hydraulic braking? Could be the trailer uses surge brakes.

Also, be careful with dielectric grease, it does not conduct. Too much could hinder a solid electrical connection.
No worries, I haven't added any grease, but looking in the connection, the factory applied grease is present. Trailer is a 2015 Airstream with electric brakes.
 
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seadonkey79

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Have you ever used the trailer on another truck or is it new too? Most trailer places have a "trailer simulator" which plugs in to the truck to test it. Not the same as a light tester.

Trailer has been used on other vehicles with no trailer braking issues or error messages.
 

BossHogg

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The trailer brake controller senses the presence of a connected trailer by detecting the inductive load of an electric trailer brake. The trailer brake controller will not provide any braking signal if a trailer is not detected. If you have access to another trailer with electric brakes, that would be a test to see if your trailer brake controller is functioning as well as the 7 pin connector and associated wiring.

Another test you can do to prove out the trailer's brakes really function is to pull the safety brake cable on the trailer and see if the brakes are applied. Be sure the house battery is charged and don't leave the safety brake switch engaged too long since it will build heat in the brakes.

When I got my 2015, I had issues with my trailer brake controller. Taking it to a dealer was absolutely fruitless, they simply did not have the resources or the knowledge to troubleshoot. In my case, the issues were eventually fixed through a software update of the controller and ABS module.

I have a tester, it is well made and works well to identify issues. It is a little pricy simply because it can only be used to test the 7 pin but can also be worth its weight in gold. It may be your best option.

 

maxx442

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I kept getting the same message when I had my old toy hauler hooked up to the truck. None of my other trailers did. I found the wire to the electric magnet on one of the trailer brake hubs was broken. I rebuilt the trailer brakes and the issue was resolved.
 

tjfdesmo

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Ram's setup is hyper-sensitive to trailer brake/wiring issues. Also, unless they have seen the light, at low speeds their programming does not ramp up to full voltage, so the trolley brake may seem ineffective, as compared to what you are used to. There was a super long thread on another forum on that.
 

turkeybird56

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The trailer brake controller senses the presence of a connected trailer by detecting the inductive load of an electric trailer brake. The trailer brake controller will not provide any braking signal if a trailer is not detected. If you have access to another trailer with electric brakes, that would be a test to see if your trailer brake controller is functioning as well as the 7 pin connector and associated wiring.

Another test you can do to prove out the trailer's brakes really function is to pull the safety brake cable on the trailer and see if the brakes are applied. Be sure the house battery is charged and don't leave the safety brake switch engaged too long since it will build heat in the brakes.

When I got my 2015, I had issues with my trailer brake controller. Taking it to a dealer was absolutely fruitless, they simply did not have the resources or the knowledge to troubleshoot. In my case, the issues were eventually fixed through a software update of the controller and ABS module.

I have a tester, it is well made and works well to identify issues. It is a little pricy simply because it can only be used to test the 7 pin but can also be worth its weight in gold. It may be your best option.

NICE test toy, boy are they proud of it.
 

turkeybird56

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'22 2500 6.7 Cummins. 1st time towing and dash says "trailer not connected." Lights and signals work AND the trailer brakes do work when the service brakes are applied. However, when I manually apply the trailer brakes by squeezing the toggle, they don't work - we don't slow down with the truck idling in Drive, though I do feel a "release" when I let go of the manual brake toggle. Anyone else? Problem with the module? All online advice says check grounds and connections. 7-pin connections look clean with plenty of dielectric grease. Thinking of dropping in on the dealer before we leave for a road trip. Thanks in advance.
Just a thought: If truck recognizes trailer, lights, brakes work just not toggle, I would think a software issue, only because all the other functions work. Just IMHO.

(I had a problem with MY 19 when I got it with trailer connections. I had my original 6/7 pin connector that was used both on My wife's F150 and MY 16 ED. I just went and bought a new connector, old one was wearing out). But if all the other functions work, I digress more towards software than a connector, but U can always buy a new connector and keep as a spare. Also, all connectors are not the same, some not work well with RAM, (ask me how I know, LOL.) Just a BOIRD brain thought. All IMHO.
 
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seadonkey79

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The trailer brake controller senses the presence of a connected trailer by detecting the inductive load of an electric trailer brake. The trailer brake controller will not provide any braking signal if a trailer is not detected. If you have access to another trailer with electric brakes, that would be a test to see if your trailer brake controller is functioning as well as the 7 pin connector and associated wiring.

Another test you can do to prove out the trailer's brakes really function is to pull the safety brake cable on the trailer and see if the brakes are applied. Be sure the house battery is charged and don't leave the safety brake switch engaged too long since it will build heat in the brakes.

When I got my 2015, I had issues with my trailer brake controller. Taking it to a dealer was absolutely fruitless, they simply did not have the resources or the knowledge to troubleshoot. In my case, the issues were eventually fixed through a software update of the controller and ABS module.

I have a tester, it is well made and works well to identify issues. It is a little pricy simply because it can only be used to test the 7 pin but can also be worth its weight in gold. It may be your best option.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far. We plugged a basic 7-pin tester (looks like a 7-pin connector with lights on it to verify power to all circuits) into the truck and it shows that everything is working properly in the truck, or atleast that power is getting TO the trailer plug when it's supposed to. I'll be troubleshooting tomorrow with a friend/neighbor and his trailer; possibly his truck also. We'll start by plugging his trailer into my truck to see if my truck recognizes his trailer. If so, I can conclude that the problem is likely in our trailer. If not, then it seems the problem is in the truck. We can confirm our findings by hooking his truck to my trailer and verifying results. Should give me some answers so I know where to go Monday morning; Ram dealership or Airstream dealership.
 
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seadonkey79

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Just a thought: If truck recognizes trailer, lights, brakes work just not toggle, I would think a software issue, only because all the other functions work. Just IMHO.

(I had a problem with MY 19 when I got it with trailer connections. I had my original 6/7 pin connector that was used both on My wife's F150 and MY 16 ED. I just went and bought a new connector, old one was wearing out). But if all the other functions work, I digress more towards software that a connector, but U can always buy a new connector and keep as a spare. Also, all connectors are not the same, some not work well with RAM, (ask me how I know, LOL.)Just a BOIRD brain thought. All IMHO.
My initial thoughts as well. I'm not leaning either way at this point, but hoping it's the borrowed trailer and not our brand new truck. Hoping it's a quick fix, regardless.
 

turkeybird56

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My initial thoughts as well. I'm not leaning either way at this point, but hoping it's the borrowed trailer and not our brand new truck. Hoping it's a quick fix, regardless.
Borrowed trailer, hmmmmmmm? have U gone and "borrowed" another trailer and hooked up and see wat happens? May be the "borrowed" item. I find on MY 19, friggin wiring finicky. I never hook up connector when truck on< door open, any circuits energized. But prob just "my" truck, and it's finicky stuff. It will sometimes blow 20 amp cartridge fuse ref lights if I plug in while "hot". Prob a bad ground on trailer, just too lazy to troubleshoot.
 

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Just a thought: If truck recognizes trailer, lights, brakes work just not toggle, I would think a software issue, only because all the other functions work. Just IMHO.
Unlikely since the same brake controller is used in all the RAMs, HDs included. I've not seen any other trailer brake controller issues. I have a 2022 1500 with the factory trailer brake controller. Works perfect.
 

turkeybird56

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W/O being there, Internet guessnosis at it's best. I think try another trailer 1st and see: if same thing happens than after that, hmmmmmm. Depends upon outcome of "another" trailer, unless say he splurges for that fancy tester posted above in another post.
 
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seadonkey79

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W/O being there, Internet guessnosis at it's best. I think try another trailer 1st and see: if same thing happens than after that, hmmmmmm. Depends upon outcome of "another" trailer, unless say he splurges for that fancy tester posted above in another post.
That's the plan. Will report back once another trailer is tested. I won't be splurging for the tester, I'll let the dealership(s) figure it out once I determine the most likely culprit; truck or trailer.
 

chri5k

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The trailer brake controller senses the presence of a connected trailer by detecting the inductive load of an electric trailer brake. The trailer brake controller will not provide any braking signal if a trailer is not detected. If you have access to another trailer with electric brakes, that would be a test to see if your trailer brake controller is functioning as well as the 7 pin connector and associated wiring.

Another test you can do to prove out the trailer's brakes really function is to pull the safety brake cable on the trailer and see if the brakes are applied. Be sure the house battery is charged and don't leave the safety brake switch engaged too long since it will build heat in the brakes.

When I got my 2015, I had issues with my trailer brake controller. Taking it to a dealer was absolutely fruitless, they simply did not have the resources or the knowledge to troubleshoot. In my case, the issues were eventually fixed through a software update of the controller and ABS module.

I have a tester, it is well made and works well to identify issues. It is a little pricy simply because it can only be used to test the 7 pin but can also be worth its weight in gold. It may be your best option.

You are the tool god. I feel inadequate to test trailer connectors with my light style tester. Curse you, now I’ll have to get one of those.
 

turkeybird56

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You are the tool god. I feel inadequate to test trailer connectors with my light style tester. Curse you, now I’ll have to get one of those.
Funny, reminds me of Elmer Fudd and dat pesky Rabbit, lol.
 
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seadonkey79

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UPDATE: Problem Solved. Trailer is equipped an after-market brake controller that's tucked up under the trailer tongue/propane tanks and the trailer plug is plugged into this unit. Coming out of this unit is another plug, the one we've been attempting to use, that plugs into the tow vehicle. We were simply able to bypass the remote unit by unplugging from that unit and plugging the original trailer plug directly into our truck, which allowed the truck to recognize the trailer/trailer brakes. The remote unit was not allowing the truck to recognize the trailer's braking system.
 
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