Adding lights to trailer wiring

[sdeeter19555]

If you add an LED bar or are wiring in some auxiliary lights (like small LED clearance lights) to the trailer wiring at the bumper, will that cause the truck to "sense" a trailer is connected? Or does it only sense a trailer with brakes?

I'd like to put some small red LEDs under the tailgate.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

If you add an LED bar or are wiring in some auxiliary lights (like small LED clearance lights) to the trailer wiring at the bumper, will that cause the truck to "sense" a trailer is connected? Or does it only sense a trailer with brakes?

I'd like to put some small red LEDs under the tailgate.

When you connect the new auxiliary lights under the tailgate connect them to the park lamp circuit for the tail lights. That's what I would do.

 

[NCRaineman]

When you connect the new auxiliary lights under the tailgate connect them to the park lamp circuit for the tail lights. That's what I would do.

This is the correct method.

 

[sdeeter19555]

The reason I don't like using the truck's park/turn/brake wiring is that it's not isolated like the trailer wiring harness. If you have a short, it causes all the lights on the truck to go out on that circuit...a short on the trailer wiring only affects the trailer wiring, which towing a trailer is rare for me. And usually the trailer wiring is fused better (better protected), but I haven't looked under the cover of the PDC to confirm. On my Silverado, the trailer harness is not only fused but on relays, I asume the Ram is similar.

I did answer my own question...I plugged a spare 7-way plug into the bumper port and installed some LEDs loose. It does not pop the trailer notification on the dash. So that notification must be when it senses trailer brakes.

The holes are drilled, the LED harness is made (all soldered and wrapped). Now to figure out how that 7-way socket pops out as that would allow easy access to its wiring.

 

[crash68]

@sdeeter19555 it's the electric brake that the truck uses to dect a trailer for the mileage to be tracked.
CURT offers a 5 pin flat plug in adapter that goes behind the bumper to be able to plug in tailgate light bars or even auxiliary reverse lights.

Replacement OE 5-Way Flat Socket (T's into USCAR)

Stress is the last thing you should feel when towing a trailer -- whether you're hauling your RV to that favorite camping destination, your ATVs up to the hunting grounds or your fishing boat to the new hidden hotspot. At CURT, we think your towing equipment should add to the enjoyment of your...

www.curtmfg.com

 

[sdeeter19555]

Thanks for that link, I found it on Amazon for about half that price. That will save cutting the harness and I have other plans for other lights.

 

[crash68]

Thanks for that link, I found it on Amazon for about half that price. That will save cutting the harness and I have other plans for other lights.

Using that harness makes for a cleaner install, you can troubleshoot it easier and can be removed without a trace.
Double check it's the same part number as they also offer a four flat version also.