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 > 12 volt not getting to trailer

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Carl & Mary

Troy, Michigan, USA

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Posted: 11/06/09 11:16pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I tried to winterize my trailer with a low battery.
I connected the pigtail to the truck and atill had no juice. there is juice from the truck but it doesn't get to the trailer. I'm assuming that when I drive, I'm not charging the battery. where do I look? Works good with charged battery but not from the truck without battery,


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nelson

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Posted: 11/07/09 03:56am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Did you hook up the hitch? Some times they are wired with the ground going through the hitch and not wired. I prefer a wired ground.


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tafische

Memphis

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Posted: 11/07/09 06:08am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Many vehicles do not come with the fuse pre-installed to supply power to the 7 pin trailer plug. Look in your vehicle manual and identify which fuse supplies the power. Many times this fuse box is located under the hood. Many manufacturers also put a "blank" fuse in the spot to keep dirt out - so make sure it is really a fuse.

If the fuse exists, you will want to use a voltmeter to check that you have voltage on the proper pins (google search will give you pinout) and then re-post.

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Posted: 11/07/09 06:19am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Two things:
1. Fuse not in place as previously posted, and
2. Some manufacturers wire the connection so that the truck battery cannot be depleted by the trailer. Try starting the truck and see if you have 12 volt then.

skipnchar

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Posted: 11/07/09 08:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If it USED to work but doesn't NOW you may have either blown a fuse in the truck or have a bad connection at the pig tail.


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Golden_HVAC

Fulltime, CA, USA

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Posted: 11/07/09 03:16pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi,

With a really low battery in the trailer, it is possible that you tripped the 20 amp fuse between the trailer and tow vehicle.

You can solve this two easy ways.

Bring the battery home and recharge it there with a portable battery charger.

Use jumper cable from your car to the trailer battery.

Also make sure than the fuse in your tow vehicle is not tripped. You can buy a automatic re-set circuit breaker that is rated at 20 amps from a NAPA dealer or many auto parts stores.

You can double check that the truck to trailer connection is working by looking at the trailer mounted voltage gauge. If it reads low, 1/3 or 2/3 full, then plugging in the tow vehicle and starting the engine brings it up to 2/3 or full means the connection is working right.

You might have a bad ground wire in the connector, or the +12 volt line is broken someplace, or a bad fuse in the RV or tow vehicle.

If the ground wire is broken, then the trailer running lights and turn signal lights probably will not work right. But if they work OK, then perhaps it is a broken wire in the +12 circuit or a bad fuse.

There should be a fuse or circuit breaker between the RV battery and the 7 wire power cord going to the tow vehicle.

Good Luck,

Fred.

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