"Check Trailer Wiring" "Trailer Disconnected" Warnings

[TMyers]

While I was bringing my 5th wheel home, I got a couple of warning messages on my EVIC. "Check Trailer Wiring" and "Trailer Disconnected". They happened on flat, smooth road. I carry electrical contact cleaner so I pulled over and cleaned both the truck and the camper 7 Pin connectors. It didn't help.

What I've done so far...

I changed the junction box and the cord on the trailer and using a test light, I went around the camper to all 4 wheels and checked for power. I'm getting power to all 4 brake magnets. I also moved the wires around to find a possible short but everything showed good. I have not taken the wheels and hubs off as they are only 2 years old.

I will crawl around under the truck in the morning to see if I can find a loose wire or connector.

Is there a device that the Ram dealership or a trailer company might have that can check the connection?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[GCroyle]

I’m recommending to focus on the 7 way plug connection itself.

Did you install a flat blade plug or V duck bill shape? I’m not a fan of duck bill versions. Also complete locked insertion of plug is a must.

 

[AH64ID]

Check the trailer grounds.

As @GCroyle mentioned, what style connector?

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuild...eName=Ram_All_Trailer Conn Compat_ All_R1.pdf

 

[Cummins12V98]

Never seems to be the truck.

 

[AH64ID]

Never seems to be the truck.

Same goes for poor braking performance. The OEM controller will find all trailer wiring faults.

 

[Larry Willard]

When I got that warning a few years it was the plug on the trailer not keeping a good connection. I started putting a long Velcro wrap around the plug cover after plugging the trailer in as tight as possible and never had any more problems.

Larry

 

[Wiredawg]

In addition to what's mentioned, not bad to shoot WD40 into both truck receptacle and trailer plug. I also have burnishing tool to shine up the conductors. Although I like dielectric grease, it also hold dirt and crud, so best to periodically clean/adjust the contacts. Amazon sells a trailer plug maintenance kit... it's what I have.

Just some more ideas for you.

 

[TMyers]

I’m recommending to focus on the 7 way plug connection itself.

Did you install a flat blade plug or V duck bill shape? I’m not a fan of duck bill versions. Also complete locked insertion of plug is a must.

To be honest, I didn't know there were two types. I ordered a replacement from Amazon and replaced the junction box and the cord/plug. I've plugged it into my truck and everything is working as it should. I checked the brakes by pulling the breakaway cable and let the camper batteries engage the magnets. I crawled under and checked each wheel with a test light.

The new plug does fit more snug into the truck. This may have it but I won't know until I take another trip.

 

[GCroyle]

Doesn't a modern brake controller send periodic pulses to the brakes looking for current draw to confirm the connection is intact? Or it notices nothing home when you apply brakes during a stop and reports no connection.

So no connection confirmation signals the check connection warning. Anybody confirm or dispute?

The V blade connection is common to several plug and cable brands mine was a Bargman. But the TSB referenced above and my nothing else to do that day bench work https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/7-way-connection-observations.270560/ the flat blade connection wipes across the receptacle spring V contact and bends it slightly to maintain pressure and contact. And on my 2005 the receptacle is hinged at the top and does a good job of holding and pushing the plug in vs. bottom hinged and side hinged.

 

[TMyers]

UPDATE: Pulled my 5th Wheel 250 miles today with the new cord, connector and junction box installed. No Warnings or Disconnection chimes. Brakes are working great. The short was in the cord/connector.

 

[GCroyle]

Good news.

Can't prove this happened to you but I did R&R a cord for a friend due to it being pinched on a ball - coupler rig. The cable was crushed internally but didn't show much damage on the outside.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Never seems to be the truck" Strikes again!!!

 

[Alan Reagan]

WhEn I had that problem, it was in the truck plug (bumper plug). I found that the plug is a two piece part. The outside where the pigtail hooks up and the other side that is part of the truck harness. Those two pieces snap together. Mine was snapped together only on one side. I was able to apply enough pressure by hand to snap the other side and the problem disappeared. It was not obvious at first that the two parts were snapped together completely. Took some feeling and looking with a bright light to find the problem.