Trailer lights always on while towing?

[Frenchy]

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...!

Just a random thought here but what's the chance you guys might have a dash mat or something that could be blocking the sun load sensor on the dash? If you're doing that there is a good chance the automatic lights will turn on your marker lights.

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[lukdeg]

Just a random thought here but what's the chance you guys might have a dash mat or something that could be blocking the sun load sensor on the dash? If you're doing that there is a good chance the automatic lights will turn on your marker lights.

I have nothing on the dash, ive talked to the dealer service dept and they told me that license plate lights have to be on just like the drl in Canada, im guessing the power from the brake light converter thing might be hooked on the same relay as the plate light

 

[Big Blue]

I have nothing on the dash, ive talked to the dealer service dept and they told me that license plate lights have to be on just like the drl in Canada, im guessing the power from the brake light converter thing might be hooked on the same relay as the plate light

Luc, I believe if you look that your taillights will also be on, may be hard to see in the daytime. I believe the new rules for Canada require that the taillights/marker lights be on with the DRLs. Since you have a MY 2023 truck yours will be set up that way. The rules were just changed for new vehicles recently.

I personally have mine set up that way and wish the US had a DRL rule like Canada. I see too many people who do not turn their lights on soon enough and are driving with just their DRLs, or nothing, and no lights in back. It all stems from the digital dashes being lit all the time. Use to be when you couldn't read your dash you knew to turn your lights on.

End of rant!

 

[mtbikernate]

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.

I turn my lights to on when towing, also. old habit from old towing training from work.

my 2019 Ranger will turn the lights ON when the wipers are on (there's a bit of a delay) if the selector is set to auto.

I also wired in additional lighting on my squaredrop camper to make it more noticeable that I am braking. the new lights have a pretty faint glow for a tail light, and they brighten up quite a lot for braking, which I really like. I also mounted them near the top edge of the camper. the OEM ones are low enough that a fool tailgating me might not be able to see them at all.

I also made sure that my new lights had a reverse light. the trailer, even though it has a 7 pin connector, did not have a reverse wire sent to the back of the trailer to a white reverse light. So now I have a little more indication that I'm reversing.

 

[lukdeg]

Luc, I believe if you look that your taillights will also be on, may be hard to see in the daytime. I believe the new rules for Canada require that the taillights/marker lights be on with the DRLs. Since you have a MY 2023 truck yours will be set up that way. The rules were just changed for new vehicles recently.

I personally have mine set up that way and wish the US had a DRL rule like Canada. I see too many people who do not turn their lights on soon enough and are driving with just their DRLs, or nothing, and no lights in back. It all stems from the digital dashes being lit all the time. Use to be when you couldn't read your dash you knew to turn your lights on.

End of rant!

Oh I could go hours ranting about people with no lights in dark environment!!!! Ill ask my wife to look at the back of the truck when in drive to see if tails are on. would completely make sense that tails are on when drl are on!

 

[lukdeg]

I turn my lights to on when towing, also. old habit from old towing training from work.

my 2019 Ranger will turn the lights ON when the wipers are on (there's a bit of a delay) if the selector is set to auto.

I also wired in additional lighting on my squaredrop camper to make it more noticeable that I am braking. the new lights have a pretty faint glow for a tail light, and they brighten up quite a lot for braking, which I really like. I also mounted them near the top edge of the camper. the OEM ones are low enough that a fool tailgating me might not be able to see them at all.

I also made sure that my new lights had a reverse light. the trailer, even though it has a 7 pin connector, did not have a reverse wire sent to the back of the trailer to a white reverse light. So now I have a little more indication that I'm reversing.

truck lights should automaticaly turn on when a trailer is hooked up. also when the wipers are on! not sure if it'S a Ranger thing or what but I like that!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

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

The DRL rules had to be upgraded - yes.

The initial rule was “alway on” DRLs up front. Whether in D, N, R, whatever. Tail lights were not part of this rule…at first. For those who remember, if you couldn’t see your instrument cluster, your headlights were not on. It was always a DOH! moment, right?

Then, our instrument clusters became lighted whenever the car was on, day or night, and whether the headlights were on or off. People would see their dash was lit up, could see their DRLs reflecting off the car in front and assume all was fine and along their merry way they would go.

Of course, in the dark, they could not be seen from behind without their tail lights or license plate light on - bloody dangerous.

The new rule (tail lights and side markers on along with DRLs or everything defaulted to auto on/off) addresses these “ghost cars”. It was a long-needed but good change to the rule.

 

[mtbikernate]

truck lights should automaticaly turn on when a trailer is hooked up.

should it? sure, it should but it does not.

 

[lukdeg]

The DRL rules had to be upgraded - yes.

The initial rule was “alway on” DRLs up front. Whether in D, N, R, whatever. Tail lights were not part of this rule…at first. For those who remember, if you couldn’t see your instrument cluster, your headlights were not on. It was always a DOH! moment, right?

Then, our instrument clusters became lighted whenever the car was on, day or night, and whether the headlights were on or off. People would see their dash was lit up, could see their DRLs reflecting off the car in front and assume all was fine and along their merry way they would go.

Of course, in the dark, they could not be seen from behind without their tail lights or license plate light on - bloody dangerous.

The new rule (tail lights and side markers on along with DRLs or everything defaulted to auto on/off) addresses these “ghost cars”. It was a long-needed but good change to the rule.

just googled it for Canda, love that since 2021, all new cars sold in Canada does need auto headlight, tail and marker lights when dark!

"

What are the DRL requirements 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"

 

[Frenchy]

just googled it for Canda, love that since 2021, all new cars sold in Canada does need auto headlight, tail and marker lights when dark!

"

What are the DRL requirements 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"

Just to add on to this, sometimes Manufacturers will get a jump start on things like this. Why you ask? Because they can. Also it helps them figure out the best way to do things the way they want

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