Trailer Disconnected Message, Help!

Today , for the first time, I hooked up my snowmobile trailer, with electric brakes to my new Tundra. Programmed a new trailer and set my brake gain and slid the brake lever over and everything worked just once. When I tried numerous times afterwards, kept getting “ Trailer Disconnected “ message. Wiggle the trailer plug and nothing, my trailer lights are on and stay on. So I have good connection, just don’t know where to go from here. Anyone else seen this before and can point me in the right direction. Thank you, in advance.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tbc-not-available-and-trailer-disconnected.124767/

 

I do also have TBC not available message, does this mean I could have a fuse blown?

 

I will try today to clean the contacts, on the connector. If anyone else has any other suggestions, please send them my way.

 

I had something similar happen recently. I tow a travel trailer with electric brakes. Last summer I picked up my buddies boat to meet him and some friends at the lake. I created another trailer in the menu, everything looked good. I started driving and tested the manual brake controller (I always do this to set the gain and make sure it's working before getting on the road). Once I hit the brake controller lever on the dash I got an error message saying trailer not connected (or something to that effect). Took me a few minute to figure out that the boat trailer had surge brakes, not electric brakes. Once I switched that off in the trailer settings on the dash everything worked fine.

Then a few months later I hooked up my TT to go out of town. Used the original trailer config on the dash. When I tested the manual brake controller (like above) I noticed I wasn't getting any brakes. I double checked the trailer settings, it was still showing electric brakes on my TT setting. Took me a few minutes (again) to figure this out, turned out somehow the brake controller gain was turned down to zero on the TT setting (I didn't do this so not sure how that happened).

Long story short, makes sure your trailer settings are setup to match what you're towing! Thought this could be helpfull.

 

Dfinck, thank you for the above advice but my trailer selection is for electric brakes. I called the service manager at the dealership that I bought my truck from. He’s convinced that it’s my trailer, even though the trailer lights work. I’m at a loss, trailer connector is cleaned, all fuses and relays are good. I’m still getting TBC (trailer brake controller) not available and trailer disconnected, every time , I slide the brake controller lever. I agreed to try a friend’s trailer, this should eliminate either the trailer or the truck.

 

I connected my car trailer a few days after getting my used 22. Set the trailer up in the menu and tried the brake controller and got the same message. Grabbed my can of deoxit and cleaned the contacts a couple times. Reconnected the plug and checked lights. Lights all worked. Went to check the brakes and no message. Held the brake button and put it in gear and the truck started moving when I let off the brake pedal. I released and pressed it again and bam goes the trailer brakes.

I used my trailer last weekend to take my Nova to my buddies house about 115 miles away. Brakes all worked fine and I checked the operation of the manual brake use while in park and coming out to drive and the same response. Is this normal with the TBC on these trucks? I kinda don't like it.


Mike

 

mrlittlejohn, do you think that maybe my trailer connector just needs cleaned more ?

 

Can't hurt. Also check and clean the ground on the trailer. Even if it "looks" good, check and clean it. Bad grounds can be a real bugger...

 

Absolutely a great thing to do as an annual maintenence. The contacts inside the trailer connector also become weak over time. This is extremely important in RV for electric. Which also leads to the electric brakes.

DeoxIT is available through Amazon. I highly recommend getting a can and do a good cleaning of your connector. Inspect the width of the receptacle contacts. Do they look close to one another to have good contact on the blades on the trucks pins? It may be time to replace the trailer connector if questionable.

I searched and found quickly a pin out for the 7 pin connector to check and use if you deem necessary to replace it.

Mike

 

FWIW...

Early on our Tundra+TT would show "trailer disconnected" somewhat randomly. I re-positioned the connector/cable so that it was more straight-on (and less stress). I did not rewire but just changed how the cable laid across the hitch. No problem since. Seems like my problem was a connection issue.

Good idea about cleaning connectors. I am going to do that.

 

I fixed my trailer disconnected issue with a Velcro strap wrapped around the plug and lid after it’s in the socket. Keeps the plug from moving around. Never had the issue again.

 

it’s assuredly a temporary fix overall. I’m glad you have had good success, but the receptacle jacks on your trailer connector are weak. Plan to replace it in the future. It will eventually give the problem back one way or the other with lights.

My thoughts…