Towing setup questions - Tow Mode and Trailer Light Check

[HotPepperLariat]

Newbie here. Picked up my Lariat 4X2 last month. I hooked up our camping trailer (17' Casita) today for our first camping trip to a local State Park. Question that I cannot find the answer to in the OM: does the driving mode change automatically to Tow when the trailer electrical is plugged in? Second, I found the trailer light check kind of lame. It basically checked the different lights 5 times to give you time to observe them. I did not get a light fault indicator due to one of the running lights being out. If say, a trailer brake light doesn't light, will I get a warning in the MFD or the screen??

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[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Not sure on 4x2 but on my 4x4 Lariat you change it to tow mode with the switch on the center console. Round switch behind the cup holders.

 

[jedadiah]

The mode won't change on its' own. You'll have to select tow mode. On my '21 Ranger, the truck would tell me if a bulb went out, so I'm assuming the newer truck will too. It tells you the location and not just that a bulb is out somewhere.

I purchased a used trailer with a loose connector and every time it lost connection on my way home, a notification would appear. After about the 30th time, I pulled over and disconnected the light.

 

[HotPepperLariat]

Thanks guys. I took the trailer down the street to set the brake gain and indeed one must manually put it in Tow mode (on rotary dial on 4X2). My previous tow vehicle (2013 VW Touareg) would automatically put it in Tow mode when trailer connected. After reading the OM again, I don't think the truck checks the side running lights so it didn't notice one of mine was out. In the OM the trailer light warning list includes brake, reverse,tail and turn signals but no running light error.

 

[stemplar]

The mode won't change on its' own. You'll have to select tow mode. On my '21 Ranger, the truck would tell me if a bulb went out, so I'm assuming the newer truck will too. It tells you the location and not just that a bulb is out somewhere.

I purchased a used trailer with a loose connector and every time it lost connection on my way home, a notification would appear. After about the 30th time, I pulled over and disconnected the light.

I’m surprised that there’s any bulb warning at all; do you have to set something for either incandescent or led lights? I have trailers with both and with my older tow vehicles I need an adapter for the trailers with led lights so it “appears” that my trailer lights are pulling more amps than the led’s actually are.

 

[jedadiah]

I’m surprised that there’s any bulb warning at all; do you have to set something for either incandescent or led lights? I have trailers with both and with my older tow vehicles I need an adapter for the trailers with led lights so it “appears” that my trailer lights are pulling more amps than the led’s actually are.

The system must be okay with LEDs. When I got home with that used trailer, I ripped out all the wiring and replaced all the lights with LEDs. They worked fine from that point on with no more bulb out notifications.

 

[HotPepperLariat]

I’m surprised that there’s any bulb warning at all; do you have to set something for either incandescent or led lights? I have trailers with both and with my older tow vehicles I need an adapter for the trailers with led lights so it “appears” that my trailer lights are pulling more amps than the led’s actually are.

Yes, LEDs are fine with the truck. I too had a tow vehicle that indicated a trailer lamp was out if it was an LED (not enough current draw) therefore I never changed my trailer lights to better, brighter LEDs. I will now.

 

[craigc]

Rented a log splitter last week and it had a faulty left blinker and the truck notified me it was out without running the trailer light check.

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