Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Jack That Wont Work When Plugged Into Vehicle Trailer Connector

Question:

My electric trailer jack works fine on a fully charged battery but wont work plugged into the truck when the battery is dead.

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

I'd recommend using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the pin in the 1:00 position on your 7-way trailer connector. This pin provides the 12-volt power to the trailer. If this circuit isn't active, how you'll proceed will depend on the vehicle make and model. If the vehicle has the factory tow package, there's likely a fuse in the panel in the engine compartment that's blown or missing.

Using a trailer mounted battery is the preferred method of power a trailer jack. Because the voltage for the 7-way is being delivered from the far away trailer battery through a 12 or so gauge wire, the jack won't work very quickly. If you've done this in the past, it's possible that the jack could have blown the fuse protecting the 12-volt power circuit.

expert reply by: Mike L

Ben

8/3/2020

Where would I find the fuse that is possibly blown in my 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500?

Chris R.

8/12/2020

I looked up the owner's manual for your Silverado and it looks like the fuse in the # 2 position inside the engine block panel is dedicated to the 7-Way 12V circuit.

Ben

8/12/2020

@ChrisR thank you!