Do you get Trailer Disconnected notices alot?

[Bobcatou]

I just came back from a 6000 mile trailering trip. Usually about once a day I would get a message on my info screen that my trailer was disconnected while I was driving. Then it would go away. Tow/Haul mode didn't change and my dash never showed me without a trailer. I'm guessing this is just a bug.

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[Mosey]

I do too, but once in a blue moon. Usually happens when towing in the rain for several hours. I don’t know if it is the trailer or truck.

I may be completely full of it, but I believe the truck senses a “trailer present” using the braking circuit. If that circuit shows a change in voltage or amp draw I suppose the computer may interpret that as a disconnect.

 

[Cobraman428]

Have you taken your truck in and got the trailer brake module software updates? I believe there has a been a couple of them. That helped me last year. I also use dielectric grease on my connector and make sure my connector is seated.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Try applying some dielectric grease to the plug. Remove the plug from behind the bumper, lube all pins. It will seal against water intrusion and prevent corrosion.

 

[Buyer2021]

I may be completely full of it, but I believe the truck senses a “trailer present” using the braking circuit.

Suspect not simply because I get the 'trailer present / not present' warnings with a small utility trailer using the 4-pin connector (no brakes, no trailer battery charging).

Methinks it's more likely one or more of the lights circuits that all trailers should have.

For me it's very rare to see 'not present' when one is plugged-in ..... can't remember last time it happened.

 

[Mosey]

Try applying some dielectric grease to the plug. Remove the plug from behind the bumper, lube all pins. It will seal against water intrusion and prevent corrosion.

Since day one.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Since day one.

yeah, I had that on my list things to do for quite a while. Finally ended up doing it a few weeks ago.

 

[Banyan162]

Yes, with a 33ft TT. Started for me on a trip back from S.Carolina in the rain. Used a DVM to check resistance on 7-pin brake pins. Found the crimp connectors on the brake wires underneath got wet, and changed the ohm readings. I cut them out, soldered & heat shrinked them. Haven't had a problem after that.

 

[cligon3]

Try applying some dielectric grease to the plug. Remove the plug from behind the bumper, lube all pins. It will seal against water intrusion and prevent corrosion.

Yes this works. My 23 F150 Powerboost did the same, intermittently, with or without a trailer connected. It started after towing in the rain for the first time with ~5k miles on the truck. I bought some dielectric grease, removed the trailer connector plug from inside the back bumber, and applied grease all over the pins. There are videos for this out there, if needed. Zero problems since. The connectors are very water / moisture sensitive. $9 fix.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Water in connectors is he first thing to check with multiple warnings. Di-electric grease should be applied to the seals around the plug, not to the actual pins that conduct.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Water in connectors is he first thing to check with multiple warnings. Di-electric grease should be applied to the seals around the plug, not to the actual pins that conduct.

Dielectric grease applied directly to the pins will not harm anything whatsoever.

But, it should be noted that you can apply too much, and the connector may not be able to be fully seated

 

[Mosey]

I pulled my 7-pin connector apart and it was COMPLETELY packed with grease. Interestingly the factory grease is blue-tinted and translucent. My Permatex grease is a cloudy white and more viscous.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I haven’t seen the blue stuff since my .mil days

 

[Steve Feldkamp]

Mine only does it on my utility trailer, not camper with electric brakes or boat with 4 prong surge breaks.
Replaced wiring and complete lights on utility trailer and it still does it. I'm suspecting ground connection, somehow. ???

 

[Steve Feldkamp]

Mine only does it on my utility trailer, not camper with electric brakes or boat with 4 prong surge breaks.
Replaced wiring and complete lights on utility trailer and it still does it. I'm suspecting ground connection, somehow. ???

Oh my, just thought that it may have to do with utility trailer having tilt hinges and no ground between front and rear frame. ???

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