I have been thinking for a while that my trailer is a pain to back up. This being my first traielr with brakes, it took a bit of time for me to put the two issues together. I have recently learned thrugh other posts that there is a lockout powered by the reverse lights. I have also recently figured out that there is no power going to the reverse light pin on the plug on my truck. I have also recently learned that Ford does not install the fuse that powers the reverse light to the wiring harness, but they so supply it in a bag in the glove box (this also solves the riddle of why I have a relay, a fuse and a funny liiking little harness sealed in a bag in my new truck) for you to install if you need to use a surge brake lock out or a brake controller. What I do not have is instructions on where these fuses go and there is no info in the owners manual. Does anyone know where this fuse and relay go? This is a 2002 F150 with the factory tow package.

When you find it let me know!

There is a post on TBM about it now but I can't get logged on there to ask the guy if he still has his instructions.

The pigtail that Ford supplies is for use with a standard 7-pin connector. They supplied it on trucks that had the trailer-tow package, but no factory installed hitch. That was sort of standard with Ford for years; they assumed you would have the hitch you needed (class 3 or 4) installed by a third party, and their tow package only included the pigtail along with heavy-duty flasher, and tranny oil cooler.

There is a 7-to-5 pin adapter for the brake activation function(I use one) that is available after-market; you need that for surge brakes if you trailer has the 5-pin. The 7-pin is for full electric brakes.

A professional hitch installer like U-Haul will know how to properly wire the 7-pin pigtail for you. There should be a matching unit tucked up under the rear bumper.

Troop, The pigtail that came in the bag plugs in under the dash for an electric brake controll. I have a factory installed hitch and two trailer plugs a flat four and a 7 pin. I am using a 7 to flat 5 adapter that I got aftermarket. The problem I am having is that the blue wire on my trailer is not getting power to lock out my surge brakes. Tracing towards the truck I foung that I am not get power to the center pin(reverse lights) at my 7 pin plug on my truck. In an effort to find a blown fuse I have discovered that that pin is not powered from the factory due to the that fact that most trailers do not have reverse lights. There is a fuse supplied by ford that you must install to power the reverse lights but I do not have the bulletin that came with my truck that tells you where to install it.

Get out your owners manual and look up the fuse diagrams. It should show the fuse panel inside the vehicle and it should also show the "power distribution "panel located under the hood. The small relay plugs in under the hood in this box and it will show as reverse lights circuit for towing. I will go and look at mine and post again.

I have a 2001 and this is where it goes circuit 203 in my owners manual

Brian S, I think you're right. I can't mess with it now, it is pouring rain. I was trying to use the diagrams in the owners manual and I believe that 203 is one of the spots that is open in my block and I have a half relay in the kit in my glove box.

Interesting. My '98 came with a 7-round to 5-flat adapter in the glove box, but otherwise everything was in place, connected and ready to go.

BrainS, That was it!! Thanks for the info


Deepv, I hope this can help you to.