Trailer lights always on while towing?

[Chris204]

I towed a trailer with my '22 Ranger Lariat for the first time last weekend and noticed my trailer lights were on whenever the vehicle was in drive. When I shifted to park, the trailer lights would turn off. During the daytime, the vehicle lighting was set to "auto."

I can't recall the trailer lights staying on at all times while towing with previous vehicles (2015 & 2018 Escapes). The trailer lights would only turn on when the vehicle determined they needed to be, i.e. at dusk/night, or manually.

Is this a recent Ford feature and can it be turned off so as to not confuse traffic behind me thinking I'm braking constantly? I should note: I'm in Canada and there's a daytime running lights law, which all new vehicles are required to have them. This may explain why the trailer wiring receives signals to light up at all times.

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[airline tech]

If I recall correctly for Canada - daytime running lights also includes taillights- (Correct?)
This would explain why the trailer lights being on - as the taillights (truck) are being commanded on by the DRL’s

 

[Chris204]

If I recall correctly for Canada - daytime running lights also includes taillights- (Correct?)
This would explain why the trailer lights being on - as the taillights (truck) are being commanded on by the DRL’s

The taillights remain off during the day, so it's just the DRLs at the front that are always on. I could understand if the taillights were on, it would make sense for the trailer, but they're not.

 

[airline tech]

This: Google Search is where I got the info from, there have been other posts about this issue
What are the DRL regulations in Canada?

New lighting standard

As of September 2021 the Canadian Vehicle Lighting Regulation will require that all new vehicles sold in Canada have one of the following: tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights. headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark.Dec 12, 2018

 

[airline tech]

One thing to note: Is have you put truck in neurtal with it running (SET PARKING BRAKE) for safety and checked to see if Taillights were off.

Canada has Conventional DRL's
and the DRL's are active when the following conditions are met

1. Ignition is On
2. The Headlamp Switch is In Off, Park Lamps or Auto Position, and Headlamps has not been commanded on by the (autolamps) (Dusk)
3. Transmission not in Park

So, unless you have somebody follow you, you would never see them being on, unless you start truck and put it in neutral (SET PARKING BRAKE) for safety and look at them, they will most likely be on.

Now, you can use Forscan and change DRL Configuration (Easy Way) to Option (A) I think. You will only have (2) options on that specific setting (Option A or Option B) I cannot remember which one is which and you can change it to the other Option. If I recall US Version trucks are set to Option B
BUT this will take it US Version (Configurable-DRL) and you would be Canada Illegal
So just giving you the info and an optional choice to have

See attached for DRL Operation from the Service Manual , it explains both

 

[Chris204]

I didn't check to see if the trailer lights were on when in neutral. Will do that next time!

Thanks for digging up how to change DRL configuration in Forscan. Will likely just leave it considering it appears to be normal.

 

[Frenchy]

Unless the settings in the BCM have the have the tail and side markers.come on with the driving lights I'm going to say I have no idea. As to no surprise Canada has usually had a little bit stricter DOT standard compared to the US

 

[airline tech]

I was mainly pointing out that the DRL’s are active in any gear position except Park.
So for a Operational Check you can do this includes Neutral.

 

[TheDo114]

My ranger behaves the same in regard to trailer light, as soon as I go out of park, all lights turn on.

I quite like it.

 

[Frenchy]

While I'm thinking about it, even though it may not be required (unless some state has weird rules) I usually like to have my lights on when towing anyway. Why you ask? Simply for the fact that others can't use the excuse that they didn't see me if the lights are on, even in broad daylight.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

This: Google Search is where I got the info from, there have been other posts about this issue
What are the DRL regulations in Canada?

New lighting standard

As of September 2021 the Canadian Vehicle Lighting Regulation will require that all new vehicles sold in Canada have one of the following: tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights. headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark.Dec 12, 2018

My 2020 Ranger and my friend's 2022 Ranger both run the second option listed of auto DRL during the day but not tail lights, and full running lights (and head lights) automatic at dark.

This was the factory set up for both, we haven't made changes in forscan (I have since, but only because I installed Morimoto headlights and RTR grille lights, which cause some issues).

It's also how my other friend's 22 F150 operates. I haven't seen any vehicles here with automatic daytime tail lights yet.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

While I'm thinking about it, even though it may not be required (unless some state has weird rules) I usually like to have my lights on when towing anyway. Why you ask? Simply for the fact that others can't use the excuse that they didn't see me if the lights are on, even in broad daylight.

In day time I prefer by tail lights to be off on a trailer, because most trailer lights are somewhere between crap and just okay. The difference between tail lights and brake lights is often not significant, so the transition is sometimes missed. By running the tail lights off, the brake lights coming on are much more noticeable.

This is also why I added a dedicated set of brake lights to my personal trailer, that are not running lights, just LED signal/brake lights.

HIgh visibility brake and signal lights are what is going to make the most difference in protecting me form other driver's inattention, not half-assed running lights during the day.

YMMV

 

[Big Blue]

While I'm thinking about it, even though it may not be required (unless some state has weird rules) I usually like to have my lights on when towing anyway. Why you ask? Simply for the fact that others can't use the excuse that they didn't see me if the lights are on, even in broad daylight.

I have my 2019 Ranger set up to include parking lights with DRLs, it's an option in Forscan, specifically for this reason. And my switch lives in Auto, might as well be glued there. I wish the US would make it like Canada. It annoys me that people will drive late at dusk with just their DRLs or parking lights on and not turn their headlights on. They don't seem to realize that headlights are not just to see with. But also to be seen. For my money the light switch only needs two needs two positions off and auto. And off only works in park and neutral.

End of rant.

By the way I also like that turning the windshield wipers on also turns the headlights on.

 

[Peragrin]

I manually turn my truck lights to ON while towing so that all my rear facing camera operates. haven't tried putting it into neutral and seeing if it comes on. but I don't like to fiddle with it once it is setup and turning the lights on lets me fiddle with everything still in park.

I would love lights that came on with windshield wipers though. to many people don't during day light rains.

 

[lukdeg]

i am not sure if it'S related but I noticed that as soon as DRL are on, the license plate lights are on and also lights on my trailer, I'm wondering if it's all connected.
duh yea it's all connected but you know what I mean... I hope...!

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