Troubleshooting 2017 Reflection 5th Wheel Trailer Causing Check Wiring Fault When Connected To Truck
Published 07/22/2021
Question:
I JUST PURCHASED A 2017 REFLECTION 5TH WHEEL. I HAVE A 2017 RAM 3500 AND WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE TRAILER I GET CHECK WIRING FAULT ON MY TRUCK . I SOLD MY CROSS ROADS 5TH WHEEL AND THE NEXT DAY PICKED UP THE NEW TRAILER AND HAD PROBLEMS. I DID SOME TROUBLE SHOUTING. REPLACED TRAILER CORD TO TRUCK. CHECKED ALL BRAKES HAD 3.4 OHMS AT EACH BRAKE .CHECKED ALL WIRING FROM FRONT TO BACK.WITH NO LUCK .I STARTED TO ISOLATE EACH CIRCUIT AND FOUND IF I DISCONTINUED THE BLACK AND WHITE WIRES FROM THE 7 PIN HARNESS TO THE CAMPER EVERY THING WORKS FINE THE WHITE AND BLACK WIRES GO TO THE BATTERY ON THE TRAILER. IS THERE A DIODE BLOCK I NEED TO STOP A BACK FEED TO MY TRUCK.ALL OTHER WHITE WIRES I LEFT CONNECTED SO WHEN PLUGED IN ALL LIGHTS WORK AND MY BRAKES WORK.ANY ADVICE WOULD HELPFUL
asked by: Frank
Expert Reply:
I would be happy to help!
Based on the description of the wiring issue it sounds like the black and white wires on your trailer are connected incorrectly causing an issue.
Typically the white wire is the ground wire, and the black wire is the positive wire to the battery of the trailer. It sounds like both wires were connected to the battery. Was the white wire connected to the negative terminal and the black wire connected to the positive terminal?
If so then the white wire was installed incorrectly, as it needs to be grounded to the trailer frame, and not directly to the negative terminal of your battery.
You can confirm that it is the ground wire by seeing where it gets installed in the 7-way connector. The ground wire on the trailer end 7-way connector is the 5 o'clock pin if you are looking at the front of the connector, or the 7 o'clock pin if you are looking at the rear of the connector.
As long as that is where the white wire is going, then grounding the wire to the frame should correct your issue.
I included a link to a helpful article on wiring for you to take a look at.
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