Trailer plug power for 2006

[paulsmith]

I think I may have messed up. I have a 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004. 5 and just bought a 2006 3500.



All of my older trucks have over 300,000 miles (the 01 has 435,000) and i use them to tow trailers. I own a trailer dealership, and may hook up 10 different trailers a day to one truck. In the past, we blow a fuse, and replace it. (when you hook up as many trailers as we do, odds are you will blow one fuse every few days)



In fact, We have installed circuit breakers in place of the Fuses for the 12 volt power and electric brake controller on all of my trucks (pretty simple, just use spade connectors on the fuse pins and short length of wire to a circuit breaker)



Anyway, I do not have the 12 volt AUX power on the 2006 I just bought. I can not find a blown fuse. I must have this power to charge the winch battery on my 53 foot slant load transport trailers, so I can load and unload the smaller cargo trailers .



All the lights work, and electric brake, but what do I do to get power to my trailer plug?

 

[Kry226]

Cannot remember off the top of my head if this fits the 12v issue, but there are I think three non-replaceable breakers integrated into the fusebox underhood. I had an issue with no roght side turn and brake lights, and I traced it back to one of these breakers. All fuses were good. Instead of buying a $500 fuse box, I fixed the truck with this:



Upgraded Heavy Duty Modulite Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness with Install Kit Tow Ready Wiring 119190KIT



Taps into the tail lights for signal and directly to the battery for juice. Very happy now.

 

[paulsmith]

I sell those in a 10 amp rating for $19. 00. I have about 50 in stock, I may just switch it over. I HATE to cut into the factory wires... . (the salt here will turn every wire green in one year) I may even install 4 relays under hood, just for the trailer power if this computer is "fragile"

 

[paulsmith]

I Dug into the Rear Wire Harness, it had a broken Red wire... looks like someone "Pricked it" with a tester, salt got into it, and the wire rotted out from the inside..... we have soldered it, then shrink tube, then painted it with liquid black tape!

I still may build a "Isolated Trailer plug", I mean I wire trailers and Trailer plugs for trucks for a living!

 

[JFought]

search "tipm saver"

and you will find where a fellow member has the pre built units for sale,
the computer unit is called "totally integrated power module" it cant be factory reset(if it just triped, any light circut or the 12v hot) a couple times, but after that then its big bucks!

 

[HBarlow]

The '06 and newer Rams use a CANBUS electrical system which, if I understand correctly, allows passing computer signals back and forth over normal current carryiing electrical wiring. I have no idea how that works.

The bad news for us consumers is, as JFought stated, if we hook up a trailer with bad wiring or something else miswired or shorted we can blow out the TIPM. It is expensive to buy and has to be purchased and installed by a dealer who must program it.

A shortcut like suggested by KRY in post #2 or your own creation is probably better.

 

[swhalen]

Paul:

x2 for tipm saver. Contact Motorhead on this forum. He makes/sells a plug and play unit. Well thought out with quality components. He has an ad in the 3rd gen classifieds with pics. The TIPM is not particularly forgiving (in my view) and can be reset at the dealer only a couple of times (according to my dealer) before you are into a high dollar replacement.

Regards, Steve Whalen

 

[Road Dog]

The '06 and newer Rams use a CANBUS electrical system which, if I understand correctly, allows passing computer signals back and forth over normal current carryiing electrical wiring. I have no idea how that works.

CANBUS is a 2-wire network and is separate from the power circuits. All the modules connected to it listen for messages and can transmit messages when the network is idle. There's a collision detection system for when two modules start transmitting at the same time.



CAN = Controller Area Network.

BUS = wires used to transmit data from here to there (in computer-speak).

 

[Motorhead]

TIPM Saver

 

[bheiting]

When I got my Four Wheel Camper, the dealer installed what is basically a Marinco 12V trolling motor plug into the box of the truck. It is wired directly to the truck battery and has a battery separator. It's used to charge the camper battery only. Don't know if this is all you need, but it eliminates problems with factory wiring.

 

[paulsmith]

I did fix the 12 volt power problem. BUT I have had the truck a few months, and today I took it to the Dealer... . $no trailer running lights,. It needs a new TIPM, $$1027. 00 installed. I CAN NOT BELIEVE they would make a 3500 Diesel--- MADE TO TOW TRAILERS --- that can not take a trailer wire short. If you think trailer wiring problems are rare, I have some beach front property in South Dakota I need to sell...

I mean... I own a trailer dealership, we tow and re-wire trailers ALL DAY. That is why have have these trucks... to work them. I have 5 Dodge 3500 trucks running, some pushing 500,000 miles, and we just keep a hand full of fuses in the cab. (I by 20 amp fuses, 500 in a box!) I dont modify them, but I also dont by 1500 1/2 tons, as I assume these 3500's are made to work, not take kids to school.

This 2006 had the dual mass clutch shake itself apart at 120,000 miles, Blow all the U Joints at 130. 000 miles and now this at 135,000 miles. (And I got the truck with 110,000 miles)

Really disappointing...

 

[mopar paul]

Are the 2007 models like this too? Been looking at a Megacab but am thinking otherwise.

After having a 1997 & two 2005's with few problems, I'm wishing I would't have sold my trusty 05... .

 

[Prairie Dog]

Are the 2007 models like this too? Been looking at a Megacab but am thinking otherwise.

After having a 1997 & two 2005's with few problems, I'm wishing I would't have sold my trusty 05... .

Yup.

 

[CKelley1]

just get motorhead's isolator, the best and easest way to go. we build our own but his is plug and play

 

[mopar paul]

just get motorhead's isolator, the best and easest way to go. we build our own but his is plug and play

Will do. Any other things I need to consider if looking at a 2007? I've been a member off and on for about 10 years, but been gone for a while-didn't honestly think I'd get rid of my 05 anytime soon but it's been 7 years & really want the extra room.

 

[jdross440]

On the 2007 does a trailer have to be plugged in for the 12V charging pin to have powere? Mine has all the pins working, using a test light, except the 12v charging pin.

 

[HBarlow]

12v power should always be there.

 

[Motorhead]

On the 2007 does a trailer have to be plugged in for the 12V charging pin to have powere? Mine has all the pins working, using a test light, except the 12v charging pin.

Check the fuse in the power distribution box. I believe it is a 30 amp.

 

[jdross440]

I found out the 30 amp fuse was blown. It didn't look bad, but when I checked it with an continuity meter it was open.