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Open Roads Forum  >  Dinghy Towing  >  Vehicles

 > Charging line to F150 toed

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colmbarry

Edgewater, md

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Posted: 08/14/22 11:18am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have just discovered that the 12volt charging line to my 2019 Ford F150 battery is not working. Turn signals, stop lights and portable brake system all work fine but I am not getting 12volts to the battery, the problem is between the connector and the battery.

So my question, is the charging line to this vehicle necessary? If the battery charge on this vehicle gets to low will it cause a problem with the 4 down towing feature?

Thanks in advance.
Colm

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The Western States

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Posted: 08/14/22 12:48pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Fuse? Bad connectord? Ask Ford about towing, but battery drains are increasing with all of the newer gagets.


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Posted: 08/14/22 01:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What are you towing with, knowing that can help us give you some advice.

Did you have power or never had power?


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colmbarry

Edgewater, md

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Posted: 08/14/22 04:39pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I am towing with a Forest River FR3 gas MH. I have 13.4 volts at the MH plug and thru the coiled cable. I just bought this vehicle in April and had it set up for towing in May. Before this vehicle I was towing a Dodge Dakota truck so I am familiar with the process. I have not towed this Ford anywhere yet except for home from the install shop. We are leaving for a trip on Wednesday so I thought I would give the MH and F150 a good look-over and found this problem. No fuse is blown and there is no power to or thru the fuse. I have continuity from the cord connector plug to the ground wire on the battery but no continuity or voltage on the hot wire to the battery. It looks like the installer either smashed a wire or did not make a good connection at the plug which I cannot get to without removing alot of plastic trim. I will be taking it back to the installer but getting it fixed before Wednesday might be a issue.

So, the question is, if the battery drains down far enough that the battery save system kicks in, will that affect my ability to tow 4 wheels down? Does any component, such as the transfer case etc. need power to stay locked out. Thanks

CA Traveler

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Posted: 08/14/22 05:57pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Since you know the wiring another option is to run an extra wire from the MH to Ford for the trip. Use whatever wire routing is easy. Not as convienient but you are on the way...

I did that once for lights due to a bad ground.

theoldwizard1

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Posted: 08/14/22 06:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The important question is what electrical things are running inside the "toad" and how much current are they drawing. If it is less than 500mA (1/2A) your probably okay it you run the truck for 5-10 minutes every time you stop.

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Posted: 08/15/22 07:44am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I've towed my 2015 F150 for about 70k miles with no charge line. Just traveled from Maine to South Dakota without unhooking or running the F150. No issue. Now, if you have a plug in brake system ( e.g. Brake Buddy) you may need to have a charge line, but otherwise, there is no need.


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shum02

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Posted: 08/15/22 10:02am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There is a relay that is not always installed at the factory for battery RV charging. Take a look and see if it's there. Dead easy to install.


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Horsedoc

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Posted: 08/15/22 10:12am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Run a fused line battery to battery, that way you KNOW

Grit dog

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Posted: 08/15/22 11:03am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Well, everything will probably go dead if the vehicle goes into battery saver mode.
Can you not tow it with the toad idling if you need to charge the battery?
(Quick fix to get you out the door, if you can't find where or how the 12V+ lead is wired into the truck.)

However none of us know how it was wired in, and the way newer vehicles do a lot of things "on their own." Like shut off the engine after idling for so long or shut off accessory mode in a similar fashion, the right answer is tough.


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