Can Fog Lamps Used as Reverse Lights We Wired to 7-way Trailer Connector of 2020 Ram 1500

Question:

Quick question: I am looking to add two LED fog lights to the back of my 2020 Ram 1500 that would only come on when the truck is in reverse. If I purchase a Bargman 7-Pole Round Connector w/ Hardware - Trailer End, can I simply tie in the red, black, and ground wires of the LED lights to the associated wires in the harness red to your yellow reverse light wire, black to your black battery wire and ground to your white ground wire?

asked by: David H

Expert Reply:

If you were wanting to power the fog/reverse lamps using a plug like # H20042, you'd simply attach the ground wire from the lamp to the plug's white wire and the lamp power wire to the yellow wire on the plug. The lamp would power up with the reverse lamps, and none of the other connections on the plug would be needed.

If you wanted a cleaner-looking solution that would leave the 7-way at the bumper free and not have the plug powering your fog lamps visible, I'd go with a T-Connector like the # 20140. You'd simply reach behind your existing 7-way connector and unplug the harness that plugs into the rear of the 7-way. You'd plug the # 20140 inline with that connection, use the yellow wire for the fog lamp's power feed and the white wire for ground. The remaining wires wouldn't be needed. Granted, this is a more expensive solution, but it would look much cleaner.

Another possibility would be to tap the power feed wire for the lamps directly into the reverse lamp circuit on the trucks taillight harness, but I'd personally be a little reluctant to start cutting and splicing into the wiring of a brand new vehicle.

I've linked to a product description video for the harness I recommended.

expert reply by: Mike L