Trailer not connected message

[aterrell]

I just hooked up my trailer to my new Maverick. The message on the screen says that no trailer detected or connected. I can't remember the exact message. The trailer lights do work. does anyone know how to fix this?
I have the Ford factory installed hitch. Its the 4 pin connector.

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[GPSMan]

If all the lights work, that's how it knows the trailer is there, so this is a conundrum.

Wait. Do you have very small LED lamps only on the trailer? If so, maybe the current draw is so low it is below detectible limits.

If you have incandescent bulbs, conundrum.

 

[GPSMan]

Picture of trailer please. If it's tiny, it's not going to matter and you may PREFER it to not be detected. Tell ya why this can be a good thing after your photo pops up, ok?

 

[aterrell]

Picture of trailer please. If it's tiny, it's not going to matter and you may PREFER it to not be detected. Tell ya why this can be a good thing after your photo pops up, ok?

I don't have a picture right now but this is the trailer.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-T...e-Mesh-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Gate/3005264

I did upgrade it with LED lights so maybe that is the problem?

 

[GPSMan]

I don't have a picture right now but this is the trailer.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-T...e-Mesh-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Gate/3005264

I did upgrade it with LED lights so maybe that is the problem?

Ok. Kind of what I was thinking.
I had the same trailer 10 years ago and it came with standard bulbs. The different trailer I have now has standard bulbs and works fine.

I think your truck is fine and the LED's you swapped take too little power for the truck to recognize. Putting standard bulbs should be able to confirm this. (or add MORE LED to the same circuits to increase power draw, but confirm with regular bulbs first before spending money on more LED.)

part B

When a trailer is detected the truck automatically deactivates blind spot warnings and I think also cross traffic alerts when backing. With such a small trailer you may appreciate leaving these features on. Up to you. But not being "detected" has a silver lining.

Good luck.

 

[processwrench]

Have same trailer and also put led lights on it. I had problems before the maverick with them not working consistently (I always check trailer lights when i hook up a trailer the old fashioned way-going out and looking). I found i needed to ground the light assemblies right next to where they bolt up to the trailer. The ground on these trailers is up on the tounge and i didn't have continuity from the tounge to the taillight mounts. you would think you would with it all being metal and welded but it didn't. Haven't had issues with it on the Maverick other than you really have to make sure its plugged fully in, like make sure its seated completely.

 

[GPSMan]

^^^ That's a possible complication and I agree about the ground paths. But OP said the truck didn't recognize the trailer even while lights were working. I believe the way the truck knows it has a trailer is via current draw in the lamp wires. Pressing tow/haul DOES NOT accomplish "trailer detection". So I don't know what other method it would use.

 

[aterrell]

Ok. Kind of what I was thinking.
I had the same trailer 10 years ago and it came with standard bulbs. The different trailer I have now has standard bulbs and works fine.

I think your truck is fine and the LED's you swapped take too little power for the truck to recognize. Putting standard bulbs should be able to confirm this. (or add MORE LED to the same circuits to increase power draw, but confirm with regular bulbs first before spending money on more LED.)

part B

When a trailer is detected the truck automatically deactivates blind spot warnings and I think also cross traffic alerts when backing. With such a small trailer you may appreciate leaving these features on. Up to you. But not being "detected" has a silver lining.

Good luck.

that makes sense. I could always turn them off manually too. I didn't really know what this functionality was for so if this is all that it does than I will not worry about it. If its not broke don't fix it.
I put the LED lights on because I was sick of trying to figure out why the standard bulbs were not working. As soon as I put the LEDs on all the lights started working.

A big thanks to Everyone who responded.

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