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07-06-2022, 07:37 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
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F150 charging battery while towing
I have a 2018 F150 and would like to have 12v+ going to the battery while driving. What do I have to do?
Dealership says plug is working but it doesn't provide any juice.
Check the fuse and it's okay
Going to a different dealership but thought I would ask.
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07-06-2022, 07:45 AM
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#2
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,187
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Pin #4 is 12 vdc for charging, pin #1 is ground. With a multi meter check if you have 12 vdc (or so) on pin #4. If you do then the truck is providing 12 vdc to the camper unless there is a wiring issue from the camper plug to the battery
Also keep in mind charging your batteries with the truck 7 pin connector is not the most efficient. It's better to use your converter or a battery charger.
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Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1689
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07-06-2022, 07:51 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,302
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Some vehicles have a relay in the fuse block as well as the fuse. Also some vehicles only provide 12V on the Bargman connector when the ignition is on. The wire gauge used by the vehicle manufacturer is usually sufficient to keep a charged TT battery charged, but little more due to the resistance and length of the wire. If you need to charge the TT battery, you will most likely need to run a heavier gauge wire for the 12V pin.
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
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2 100W solar panels
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07-06-2022, 08:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
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It also may not supply power it a trailer is not connected, measure the voltage at the trailer battery with and without the truck running. It should be noticeably higher with the truck running.
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2024 Artic Wolf 3018 Suite 5th Wheel
Prior TT Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - sold 4/24
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW Lariat Ultimate
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload - sold 4/24
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07-06-2022, 08:19 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
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Actually I connected the trailer, Started the truck, and put a meter at the battery on the tt and it didn't change. Vs when you do the same with a 250 it jumps to 14v.
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07-06-2022, 08:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,694
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Check the glove box and behind/under the seats to see if you can find a bad with some parts, at least one being a relay.
I am not sure is they still ship these un-installed but they used to
__________________
2024 Artic Wolf 3018 Suite 5th Wheel
Prior TT Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - sold 4/24
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW Lariat Ultimate
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload - sold 4/24
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07-06-2022, 08:29 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,564
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Ford "trailer battery charge" connection is relay protected. Ignition must be On to get power there. (Sorry if I missed this.) There's also a fuze (and that relay) which I believe is under the hood -- at least on my Expeditions which are pretty close to the F150.
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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07-06-2022, 08:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lead dog
Actually I connected the trailer, Started the truck, and put a meter at the battery on the tt and it didn't change. Vs when you do the same with a 250 it jumps to 14v.
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If the charging power is making it to the trailer's battery with a different truck the issue lies with the F-150 from the 7-pin connector to truck's battery where the 12v power originates. No need to chase the issue in the trailer.
Check fuse/fusible links at battery on truck.
As others have said, the power may only be present when a trailer is connected and sensed by the body control module through a relay.
Maybe this simple video will help:
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2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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07-06-2022, 08:38 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,564
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Simple relay to the ignition controls Ford trailer battery charge. No exotic sensing circuitry. But the ignition has to be On. This is there to prevent the trailer from draining the truck battery when parked -- some if not most GM trucks lack the relay and will kill the truck quickly when parked if there are large 12v draws in the trailer -- need I mention 12v refrigerators?
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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07-06-2022, 04:22 PM
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#10
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New here, old elsewhere
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 287
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cboss
Also keep in mind charging your batteries with the truck 7 pin connector is not the most efficient. It's better to use your converter or a battery charger.
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Unless the OP has a generator onboard, it would be hard to use either to charge the battery while driving
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2021 Coachmen Apex Ultra Lite 253RLS
2016 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 / 6spd / 3.73
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07-06-2022, 04:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Tarpon Springs FL
Posts: 3,513
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connect volt meter to battery on trailer should read :
12.6 volts not connected to truck or when truck connected but not running
closer to 14v when truck running.... depending on your alternator you may have to increase revs
if the battery reads the same 12.6
make sure it is not turned off (isolated)
make same measurements at the truck
without trailer connected if the red charging wire not increasing to 13+ volts something wrong in the truck wiring / relay
if it is increasing to 13+v then the problem is in the wiring to the battery on the trailer
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Tarpon Springs FL
2022 Salem 24RLXL
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07-06-2022, 05:19 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 1,098
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Daughter and son-in-law's new trailer with 12 volt only frig would kill the trailer battery between home and campground. They asked the dealer about it and he looked in the fuse block under the hood and there was no trailer charge relay (F150). He installed one and all works now.
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07-06-2022, 05:25 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 191
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OP'er, did you by chance read the owners manual? It will have the answer for you but I suspect you will need a fuse and a relay. Good luck.
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07-06-2022, 05:40 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CO
Posts: 73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llr
Check the glove box and behind/under the seats to see if you can find a bad with some parts, at least one being a relay.
I am not sure is they still ship these un-installed but they used to
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Our 2013 F150 had the needed parts packed away in the glove box. A techie at WanaRV told us to look there
or we would never have found the needed parts. Once installed, the battery charged while we towed the trailer.
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07-06-2022, 06:58 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 18
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My 2019 f150 does not send power to the trailer auxiliary power Unless the truck is in gear. You may consider rechecking the voltage at pin 4 with truck in neutral or if in gear with someone holding the brake.
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07-06-2022, 07:12 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 461
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Our 2019 F-150 appears to be charging the battery. After long drives battery shows full, even with the 12v fridge running. Haven't checked to see if it was only while in gear. Don't remember having to do anything to make it work.
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22 Freedom Express 257BHS
19 F-150 3.5 Max-Tow
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07-06-2022, 08:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,427
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You didn't mention what trim level of F150 you have.
I have a '19 F150 Lariat which has a push button start. To get voltage here are the hoops needed.
Engine running, press brake pedal so the truck recognizes there is a trailer attached, leave the FOB inside the truck, fully close all doors on the truck. You'll see the 13.5V or so on the 12v pin. Skip any of the hoops listed above you'll have ZERO volts.
Hope this helps
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2019 F150 4X4 7050 GVWR 1903 payload
2018 Avenger 21RBS 7700 GVWR
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07-06-2022, 09:24 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 461
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike134
You didn't mention what trim level of F150 you have.
I have a '19 F150 Lariat which has a push button start. To get voltage here are the hoops needed.
Engine running, press brake pedal so the truck recognizes there is a trailer attached, leave the FOB inside the truck, fully close all doors on the truck. You'll see the 13.5V or so on the 12v pin. Skip any of the hoops listed above you'll have ZERO volts.
Hope this helps
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Interesting. Ours is the 2019 XLT without the pushbutton start. The display acknowledges there is a trailer connected the moment you plug it in or if it is already plugged in when the truck is turned on. Now you got me wondering. it seems like our battery has been charging fine on several long trips. i suppose I will recheck the manual as well.
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22 Freedom Express 257BHS
19 F-150 3.5 Max-Tow
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07-07-2022, 09:11 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: PA
Posts: 4
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Dc to DC Charger
You might want to check out a dc to dc charger.
Check this:
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07-11-2022, 08:55 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 11
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I have a 2018 F150. Turn the lights from auto to on.
Forgot need truck running.
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