Is the 12 Volt Circuit on Tow Packages Typically Hot or Live?

Published 04/01/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded

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$37.35

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.61

Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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$5.35

Question:

Is the tow plug hot wire typically constant battery or ignition triggered.

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

That's a great question! It all comes down to the manufacturer some models will have a constantly active 12 Volt pin in the 7 way and some will only come on when the ignition is keyed on. Sometimes a vehicle will have the constant power option but doesn't have a fuse in place to send it through so the first step is to check the owners manual and make sure that fuse is in place and in good shape. If it is and still no power the next steps tell you how to fix this.

If you have a vehicle where it only comes on with the key on you can simply use the Pollak Circuit Breaker part # PK54540 and the required length of 10 gauge wire part # 10-1-1 sold by the foot to make your connection. You will use about a foot or so of the 10 gauge from the battery to the battery side of the breaker then run the 10 gauge wire to the rear of the vehicle and connect it to your existing trailer connector in the 11:00 position if you are looking in to the cover of the plug. See attached picture.

This will give you 12 Volts constantly and it will be protected by the breaker should you have any issues.

If for some reason you're trying to stop constant power getting to the connected item and draining your battery you can simply unplug the item or you can put in a battery isolator like the Battery Isolation Solenoid part # PK5231201 and only have power when the ignition is on.

expert reply by: Randy B