What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Trailer running lights without truck headlights?

S

scdo

Active Member
Messages
320
Reaction score
215
Points
43
This problem/feature is not specific to Ram… I have a wireless backup camera on the travel trailer which is powered by the trailer’s running lights circuit. The running lights are powered when plugged in to the truck and the truck’s headlights are on…

The (admittedly petty) annoyance with that is that I must turn on my headlights to power the camera. I’m looking for a solution to send power to the camera without rewiring the camera on the trailer.

Is it maybe possible to use JScan or Alfa to send power to the trailer running lights WITHOUT turning the truck headlights on? It would be great if all those LEDs would just power up whenever connected to the truck.

I’m thinking I could likely do this with a jumper in the wiring but I’m wondering if there’s a software solution? @Jimmy07 - I figure if anyone knew, maybe you would!
 
AH64ID said:
You can just turn the parking lights on, and leave the headlights off.
Click to expand...
this^

Or you could (should) wire the backup camera differently (correctly)

there is a constant 12v on the 7 pin and there is also a reverse 12v on the 7 pin

Edit: I’m wrong, it seems it is wired correctly
 
Last edited:
Rockcrawlindude said:
Or you could (should) wire the backup camera differently (correctly)
Click to expand...

It likely is wired correctly. Many of the wireless RV cameras tap into the parking lights for power so that you don't have to run any wires. It's actually pretty slick.

The 7 pin + is always hot unless the battery is disconnected, so you would need to add a switch. With the parking lights the camera is off as soon as you turn off the parking lights or disconnect the 7 pin.
 
Yeah, my last three trucks, and last two trailers...the trailer cameras are spliced into the running lights. Turn on the running lights on the truck, the running lights on the trailer come on, as well as the cameras. I even have the cap to connect to the wiring harness to light up the trailer running lights when camped so I get the cameras while inside the camper.
 
You have DRLs thats why your lights are on the best solution is put a switch with 12V power to the plow light trigger wire under the fuse box so it will kill the headlights when enabled i have mine on my aux switch for my plow lights but in the summer months i use it to kill my headlights when needed
 
Last edited:
H3LZSN1P3R said:
You have DRLs thats why your lights are on the best solution is put a switch with 12V power to the plow light trigger wire under the fuse box so it will kill the headlights when enabled i have mine on my aux switch for my plow lights but in the summer months i use it to kill my headlights when needed
Click to expand...

For US trucks you can disable DRL’s in the uconnect settings.
 
AH64ID said:
For US trucks you can disable DRL’s in the uconnect settings.
Click to expand...
I thought that varied from state to state. If thats the case then thats all he needs to do. If he cant disable the DRL he will need to do that in alfa or Jscan or by the plow light method I mentioned. He has many options.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I thought that varied from state to state. If thats the case then thats all he needs to do. If he cant disable the DRL he will need to do that in alfa or Jscan or by the plow light method I mentioned. He has many options.
Click to expand...

I don’t think it’s required in any state to have DRL’s at the GVWR’s the HD are at.
 
Towing with lights on is a golden rule for us. We often travel in packs and it helps. I also like being seen. Really pisses me off when idiots drive in inclement weather and dawn/dusk, hell even dark with no lights on.

Since I also run a TPMS repeater, it works as a reminder to turn the lights on on the VERY rare occasion I forget. Flakey or no TPMS and I immediately know why. Camera is on the 12-pin so it gets power when plugged in regardless.
 
MarkCO1 said:
Yeah, my last three trucks, and last two trailers...the trailer cameras are spliced into the running lights. Turn on the running lights on the truck, the running lights on the trailer come on, as well as the cameras. I even have the cap to connect to the wiring harness to light up the trailer running lights when camped so I get the cameras while inside the camper.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I had the same thought but couldn’t get the camera to come on without completely switching on the actual headlights. I even toggled the DRLs in Uconect. I will play with this again and report back soon.
 
scdo said:
Hmm, I had the same thought but couldn’t get the camera to come on without completely switching on the actual headlights. I even toggled the DRLs in Uconect. I will play with this again and report back soon.
Click to expand...

Going from parking to headlight has no effect on trailer lights.

Did you give the camera sufficient time to power up and transmit before trying headlights?
 
Brutal_HO said:
Towing with lights on is a golden rule for us. We often travel in packs and it helps. I also like being seen. Really pisses me off when idiots drive in inclement weather and dawn/dusk, hell even dark with no lights on.

Since I also run a TPMS repeater, it works as a reminder to turn the lights on on the VERY rare occasion I forget. Flakey or no TPMS and I immediately know why. Camera is on the 12-pin so it gets power when plugged in regardless.
Click to expand...
No good reason to run without daytime lights ever IMO..even had the work truck Titan’s wired for low beam on with the key.
Worked for a company that would do the same to all it’s trucks and I believe it’s huge in safety benefit.
 
AH64ID said:
Going from parking to headlight has no effect on trailer lights.

Did you give the camera sufficient time to power up and transmit before trying headlights?
Click to expand...
I can confirm after testing again today that the camera does not get power from turning on the running lights alone. In fact, none of the RV running lights get light when the truck running lights are on. It only sends power to that pin (presumably) when the headlights are turned on.

It’s a little annoying as I can’t rely on auto headlights during the day.

Maybe something that can be changed to power to the trailer lights when the truck running lights are on??
 
scdo said:
I can confirm after testing again today that the camera does not get power from turning on the running lights alone. In fact, none of the RV running lights get light when the truck running lights are on. It only sends power to that pin (presumably) when the headlights are turned on.

It’s a little annoying as I can’t rely on auto headlights during the day.

Maybe something that can be changed to power to the trailer lights when the truck running lights are on??
Click to expand...

That’s not how it’s supposed to work. The running lights on the trailer are on the same switch circuit at the parking lights.

I’d be talking the truck to the dealer.
 
AH64ID said:
That’s not how it’s supposed to work. The running lights on the trailer are on the same switch circuit at the parking lights.

I’d be talking the truck to the dealer.
Click to expand...
Actually, I’m reading that ram wired the trailer running lights to the parking lights, not the truck running lights. Will play around with it again tomorrow!
 
Sponge60 said:
Looks like semantics got in the way. I use the term running lights and parking lights for the same function myself. Maybe it's like parking in the driveway, but driving on the parkway? (thank you George Carlin)
Click to expand...
Running lights is really DRL in my books and park lights are all your exterior lights for night driving/ parking (the term is from transports as when parked at truck stops and pull ins they keep them on while parked for visibility
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top