GEN 1 Random "Trailer Disconnected" Message when towing a specific trailer

[Dane]

When towing my car hauler my truck likes to ding and give me the "Trailer Disconnected" message. During that time (which usually lasts a few seconds until it says "Trailer Connected") the brakes and lights continue to function as normal. My other trailer does NOT do this. My car hauler also does this on a different truck. That all makes me say that this is the trailer, not the truck. It's quite maddening to have the truck continually ding at me every couple minutes on a road trip.

That being said, how does the truck "know" the trailer is disconnected or not? That knowledge will help me trace the issue here. I suspect it's some sort of grounding situation on the trailer.

Thanks!

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Is there any water getting inside the connector? Maybe a bit of dielectric grease could help.

 

[Dane]

Is there any water getting inside the connector? Maybe a bit of dielectric grease could help.

It's been under some very dry conditions (dry tow to Moab last summer), but it's worth a shot.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

it senses signal from the 7 pin plug. most likely it will be a wire connection somewhere on the trailer. check the pins to make sure they arent loose

 

[Dane]

it senses signal from the 7 pin plug. most likely it will be a wire connection somewhere on the trailer. check the pins to make sure they arent loose

I’m seeing conflicting diagrams. Pin 7 provides what?

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

I’m seeing conflicting diagrams. Pin 7 provides what?

pin 7 is reverse. only used if you have reverse lights

 

[Sozzy12]

My car hauler does the same thing... Need to replace my wiring as I have a short somewhere... Keeps blowing a fuse on my F-350 but almost all the lights work normally. My left tail light works intermittently. I've also found the pins inside the plug get bent from time to time. Easy to bend them back into place with a straight slot screw driver or knife in a pinch. Good luck with yours.

 

[divedeep1]

I had the same on my old trailer. It was the trailer end that over time had worn a little at the plug. During hard turns or bumps along the road.... it would wiggle loose.

 

[Nesc204]

I get that when I 1st start the truck up. With no trailer. Been doing it for yrs. I dontvtow anything so I been blowing it off. But now curious how to fix it

 

[moodster]

Clean the pins on the trailer connector and the pins in the truck receptacle.
Then put some di electric grease in there.