2022 Maverick headlights set to "auto"... do trailer running lights come on at dark?

[desmobob]

I have a 2022 2.0 AWD Tow Package and have been towing my Mission utility trailer with my ATV loaded... right around 2K lbs. total. It tows well.

I have always kept my Maveric's headlight switch set to the automatic setting. When towing the trailer, I've noticed that as it gets towards dusk, when I would normally turn non-automatic headlights on, my trailer running lights are not lit (The brake and turn signal lights function properly.) If I turn the Maverick's headlight switch to the normal "on" position, the trailer's running lights are lit, as expected.

Maybe I haven't waited until it was dark enough for them to come on, or maybe they won't? Last night, when I towed the trailer home at around dusk, the trailer running lights weren't on, but when I turned off the truck and then started it again a minute or so later, the running lights did come on.

The obvious thing to do is turn the Maverick's headlight switch to "on" at dusk instead of leaving it in "auto," but I'm so used to leaving it on the automatic setting, I'm afraid I'll forget to turn them off and kill the battery.

Thoughts?

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[First Sergeant]

Not sure on the trailer light operations, but I'm sure someone on here will have that answer. I would not worry about turning headlights off as they shut off automatically after 30 seconds, or 3 minutes if a door is open. I believe that is regardless of what position the switch is in. Now, does being hooked up to trailer lights change that? I don't think so, but the engineers these days do some crazy stuff, that many times makes zero sense.

 

[desmobob]

Not sure on the trailer light operations, but I'm sure someone on here will have that answer. I would not worry about turning headlights off as they shut off automatically after 30 seconds, or 3 minutes if a door is open. I believe that is regardless of what position the switch is in. Now, does being hooked up to trailer lights change that? I don't think so, but the engineers these days do some crazy stuff, that many times makes zero sense.

Thanks for the info on the regular headlight setting. I did notice one quirk related to having a trailer hooked up: my back-up camera will come on as expected, but then sometimes stay on until I shift into park.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

I've noticed that all 3 of the Mavericks I've owned are among the last vehicles to have their headlights come on, the sensor is not sensitive enough to light. You should see the headlights "on" indicator on your dash when they finally do come on, if you want to test the system slide a sheet of paper over the sensor, and see how soon the headlights come on.

HRG

 

[icegradner]

When I hook up my trailer, 4pin connector, the marker lights on the trailer are always on if the truck is on.

 

[matmondro]

I've noticed that all 3 of the Mavericks I've owned are among the last vehicles to have their headlights come on, the sensor is not sensitive enough to light. You should see the headlights "on" indicator on your dash when they finally do come on, if you want to test the system slide a sheet of paper over the sensor, and see how soon the headlights come on.

HRG

This. I've also noticed the auto lights turn on super late, a bit too late for my liking.

OP, your trailer running lights will still come on with the auto lights. When you towed the other evening at dusk, it probably just wasn't quite dim enough outside yet! Whenever I've towed my snowmobile trailer, the running lights always come on with the auto lights.

 

[Cherokee]

What am I missing here ?
Go out side at night, when it’s dark !
Fire that mutha up and do a walk around.
When you shut down and walk away you’ll see all the lights go out normally.

 

[Master Blaster]

Your trailer lights should be on when your running lights are on. They should not change just because your headlights are on.

 

[MaverickMark]

I have a 2022 2.0 AWD Tow Package and have been towing my Mission utility trailer with my ATV loaded... right around 2K lbs. total. It tows well.

I have always kept my Maveric's headlight switch set to the automatic setting. When towing the trailer, I've noticed that as it gets towards dusk, when I would normally turn non-automatic headlights on, my trailer running lights are not lit (The brake and turn signal lights function properly.) If I turn the Maverick's headlight switch to the normal "on" position, the trailer's running lights are lit, as expected.

Maybe I haven't waited until it was dark enough for them to come on, or maybe they won't? Last night, when I towed the trailer home at around dusk, the trailer running lights weren't on, but when I turned off the truck and then started it again a minute or so later, the running lights did come on.

The obvious thing to do is turn the Maverick's headlight switch to "on" at dusk instead of leaving it in "auto," but I'm so used to leaving it on the automatic setting, I'm afraid I'll forget to turn them off and kill the battery.

Thoughts?

When your headlights turn on, your tail lights also turn on. If your trailer is wired correctly, the trailer lights will come on.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Until your headlights come on whether it's dark enough or you manually turn them on daylight running lights do not, I repeat do not turn taillights on.

So in dusk conditions before dark I would highly advise turning your headlights on. If you do not have a trim that automatically turns headlights on when you turn windshield wipers on, then you will have to manually if cloudy, heavy rain etc.. And you want trailer running lights on you will have to manually turn them on in cloudy, heavy rain etc. as well.

 

[The Real Maverick]

This is a confusing hodge podge of a thread.

Basically, IN SHORT:

The trailer should do whatever the truck does.

DRL Daytime Running Lamps are the truck's headlamps ONLY. NOT to be confused with "marker lamps" also known as "parking lamps".

TRAILERS DO NOT HAVE "RUNNING LAMPS"' so this thread title is confusing nonsense.

Trailers have marker lamps which run just as the truck's marker lamps / parking lamps do.

 

[Master Blaster]

This is a confusing hodge podge of a thread.

Basically, IN SHORT:

The trailer should do whatever the truck does.

DRL Daytime Running Lamps are the truck's headlamps ONLY. NOT to be confused with "marker lamps" also known as "parking lamps".

TRAILERS DO NOT HAVE "RUNNING LAMPS"' so this thread title is confusing nonsense.

Trailers have marker lamps which run just as the truck's marker lamps / parking lamps do.

DRLs are not the headlights in Canada, where DRL lighting is required at all times.

 

[The Real Maverick]

DRLs are not the headlights in Canada, where DRL lighting is required at all times.

Are you saying in Canada only, your headlamps on your Maverick run at reduced brightness during the day; then go to full brightness at night?

I am aware some vehicle makes do that.

The Maverick does not. The DRL are the same brightness as night time headlamps. At least on XL and XLT.

 

[desmobob]

TRAILERS DO NOT HAVE "RUNNING LAMPS"' so this thread title is confusing nonsense.

Trailers have marker lamps which run just as the truck's marker lamps / parking lamps do.

So sorry for using a term you find inapropriate. Just plain unthinkable, really, using "running" instead of "marker"!

I posted this question thinking it would be easier to get an answer here than to go out at dusk, hook up my trailer, then wait around as it got darker to be sure my trailer's MARKER lights came on.

Thank you HotRunr, Matmondro, and Hunters Edge for your helpful posts.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Thank you for your helpful posts.

Anytime.

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