Real time help needed...trailer plug question

[Texas777]

I went to plug my trailer lights into my '14 Trail, and they are not lighting. Plugged the trailer into a buddies truck, and the trailer lights work. Bought a 7 pon round to 4 pin flat converter to see if that helped, and still no lights. Drove up to hunt during the day and didn't need trailer lights, but am driving home tonight after dark and need them. Any idea why my 4Runner isn't cooperating?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mooney]

I went to plug my trailer lights into my '14 Trail, and they are not lighting. Plugged the trailer into a buddies truck, and the trailer lights work. Bought a 7 pon round to 4 pin flat converter to see if that helped, and still no lights. Drove up to hunt during the day and didn't need trailer lights, but am driving home tonight after dark and need them. Any idea why my 4Runner isn't cooperating?

Thanks in advance!

Grab your multimeter, make sure there's voltage output from truck. If so you most likely have a bad ground.

 

[vanders]

Eliminate the easy one first - Check the fuses under the hood and dash.

 

[Biggcrisp]

Did you turn on your lights?

There is a trailer light fuse, is it ok?

Inside the trailer plug cover is a diagram. Everything else requires hands on with a test light.

 

[nevada]

I vote for the fuse. its either blown, or missing completely.
I have seen that a lot of times, they get shipped without a fuse ever being put in place.

 

[philsey]

... Drove up to hunt during the day and didn't need trailer lights, but am driving home tonight after dark and need them.

So, you left home with broken lights? No brake or turn signals? Interesting.

 

[Antman]

So, you left home with broken lights? No brake or turn signals? Interesting.

...and the light Nazi returns...

 

[sonnybub]

Ground the white wire from the 4 prong to the trailer with a splice of wire. Your trailer is not grounding to your truck.

 

[philsey]

...and the safety Nazi returns...

Fixed.

You're a trailer guy Spidey ... would you have done that?

 

[Antman]

Fixed.

You're a trailer guy Spidey ... would you have done that?

No way, no how! Just bustin' on ya, pal.

FWIW I do a complete walk around EVERY time before I take my boat out. I check all the tie-down straps, safety chains, tire pressure, and check all the lights. I also feel the hubs once stopped to check the bearings for excessive heat.

I tow hundreds of miles per year- for the last 15 years. Every time.

 

[philsey]

No way, no how! Just bustin' on ya, pal.

FWIW I do a complete walk around EVERY time before I take my boat out. I check all the tie-down straps, safety chains, tire pressure, and check all the lights. I also feel the hubs once stopped to check the bearings for excessive heat.

I tow hundreds of miles per year- for the last 15 years. Every time.

Good boy!

Happy Halloween. Boooooo



Sorry OP. :hug:

 

[Texas777]

So, you left home with broken lights? No brake or turn signals? Interesting.

Thanks for your helpful input. Yes, I left home Sunday at 8am with nothing on a flatbed trailer with my 4Runner brake lights and turn signals clearly visible. Not illegal in the great State of Texas. I'm sure it probably is in Illinois based on your comments. Didn't plan to bring the loaded trailer home from the deer lease this trip. Plans changed and necessitated driving at night with a loaded trailer and lights no longer clearly visible.....I needed to resolve the issue in short order. Hope this satisfies your curiosity.

 

[Texas777]

Thank you to all who posted helpful suggestions as to what it might be...and to those who said under hood fuse, you were right! Hit the auto parts store in town (not towing it loaded with inoperable lights Philsey) and had it fixed before dark. Hooked up a while later and got home about midnight, after driving through heavy rain for 3.5 hours. Glad I didn't have any more issues with the lights!

And for the record, I'm fanatical about trailer lights and maintenance on anything I own. I even hose down the top & underside of my lawnmower after each use if thats any indication. I was already 24 hours late leaving for opening weekend of deer season thanks to my wife's damn BMW power steering pump going out as I was packing the truck on Saturday morning. 35K miles on the car.

Since I was legal driving the trailer as-is, I wasn't about to lose another minute jacking with the trailer lights when I realized they were inoperable. They worked fine with my GMC Sierra prior to the 4Runner. Never thought a new 4Runner wold already have a blown fuse.

 

[Saker]

Thank you to all who posted helpful suggestions as to what it might be...and to those who said under hood fuse, you were right! Hit the auto parts store in town (not towing it loaded with inoperable lights Philsey) and had it fixed before dark. Hooked up a while later and got home about midnight, after driving through heavy rain for 3.5 hours. Glad I didn't have any more issues with the lights!

And for the record, I'm fanatical about trailer lights and maintenance on anything I own. I even hose down the top & underside of my lawnmower after each use if thats any indication. I was already 24 hours late leaving for opening weekend of deer season thanks to my wife's damn BMW power steering pump going out as I was packing the truck on Saturday morning. 35K miles on the car.

Since I was legal driving the trailer as-is, I wasn't about to lose another minute jacking with the trailer lights when I realized they were inoperable. They worked fine with my GMC Sierra prior to the 4Runner. Never thought a new 4Runner wold already have a blown fuse.

Glad you found the issue and easily fixed!

 

[philsey]

....
Since I was legal driving the trailer as-is.....

I am NOT being argumentative, OK? You imply it's legal to tow a trailer w/o brake lights or turn signal lights in Tejas. Can that be so?

Perhaps I ass-umed - it sure wouldn't be here.

 

[Texas777]

I am NOT being argumentative, OK? You imply it's legal to tow a trailer w/o brake lights or turn signal lights in Tejas. Can that be so?

Perhaps I ass-umed - it sure wouldn't be here.

OK, understood. Unless I'm misinterpreting this (always possible), I believe it is legal during the day if visibility is 1000 ft. or greater, and as long as the turn signals and brake lights are clearly visible on the tow vehicle.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/CVE-38.pdf