Christmas gift for dad

[treegump]

Due to my low cash fund and dad's resistance to working on stuff that ain't broken (no matter how much it clunks) - I'm thinking of fixing his trucks so that when he pulls his 5 ton dump trailer with an electric powered hydraulic dump, that the truck may help keep the trailer battery charged. I'd also like to hook up some back-up lamps and maybe even auxiliary lamps on any/all his trailers for him.

My dad drives a 3/4 ton dodge gasser (v8) 4x4 (and also a f250 w/ v10 gasser 2wd) and pulls a stock trailer rarely, the 5 ton dump trailer, an 18' car hauler, and a 10' utility trailer. We also have a 6x10' box trailer.

1) Due to him only having 1 battery in the engine bay - is it safe to hook up a charging wire or auxiliary wire(s) to the hitch for the trailers?

2) If it would be better to put 2 batteries in the engine compartment, does anyone know of a good place to put the 2nd battery, and can the OEM alternator handle 2 batteries?

3) Anyone know of the size wire that I need to run if there isn't already a wire ran - and are there any diagrams for it. From my other post concerning my truck - its my understanding that I run a 10 or 12 ga wire from the battery with a 30A breaker in an accessible location, and then I can run it straight to the bumper.

4) If the trailer doesn't already have a charging wire going to the battery, can I just wire one on from the positive terminal to the 7 pt trailer hitch? The ground is already attached, so I wouldn't need an additional wire for that, would I?

Any help, ideas, diagrams, or references would be helpful. Thank you!

 

[DieselCash]

Due to my low cash fund and dad's resistance to working on stuff that ain't broken (no matter how much it clunks) - I'm thinking of fixing his trucks so that when he pulls his 5 ton dump trailer with an electric powered hydraulic dump, that the truck may help keep the trailer battery charged. I'd also like to hook up some back-up lamps and maybe even auxiliary lamps on any/all his trailers for him.

My dad drives a 3/4 ton dodge gasser (v8) 4x4 (and also a f250 w/ v10 gasser 2wd) and pulls a stock trailer rarely, the 5 ton dump trailer, an 18' car hauler, and a 10' utility trailer. We also have a 6x10' box trailer.

1) Due to him only having 1 battery in the engine bay - is it safe to hook up a charging wire or auxiliary wire(s) to the hitch for the trailers?

2) If it would be better to put 2 batteries in the engine compartment, does anyone know of a good place to put the 2nd battery, and can the OEM alternator handle 2 batteries?

3) Anyone know of the size wire that I need to run if there isn't already a wire ran - and are there any diagrams for it. From my other post concerning my truck - its my understanding that I run a 10 or 12 ga wire from the battery with a 30A breaker in an accessible location, and then I can run it straight to the bumper.

4) If the trailer doesn't already have a charging wire going to the battery, can I just wire one on from the positive terminal to the 7 pt trailer hitch? The ground is already attached, so I wouldn't need an additional wire for that, would I?

Any help, ideas, diagrams, or references would be helpful. Thank you!

Yes, just do not forget the fuse, I prefer a self resetting circuit breaker.

If you have the money and time, yes. It would be cheaper to put one on the trailer.

12ga is recommended, when I do mine I am going to use a 10ga. Just do not forget to protect the wire with some wire loom.

Yes, just wire it in to the proper location. The ground for the trailer is on the trailer. But, there is a wire that goes in between the two. It should be the white wire. Look up on line on how to properly wire up the 7 plug. A lot of information with pictures on how to wire this.

On note what year are the trucks??

The newer trucks are pre-wired for power and brakes. Look into the owners manual to find out. Our do a search online! :thumbsup:

 

[treegump]

the dodge is a 98...i think and the ford is a 01

 

[DieselCash]

the dodge is a 98...i think and the ford is a 01

I could be wrong but, I think both of those are pre-wired.

Just look in the owners manual, before you put too much time and money into the project.

 

[treegump]

yea, i'll do that. auxiliary lights would still be nice for him, i think.

 

[DieselCash]

yea, i'll do that. auxiliary lights would still be nice for him, i think.

Oh sorry, I forgot all about those.

Just FYI!

When I wire up my fog/reverse lights I plan on using the trailer power supply and a relay. The switch for the relay will be the power from the reverse lights. That way it will keep the strain off the reverse light wires. This also will make the reverse lights on every time I put it in reverse and not have to play with a switch.

Do not know if this helps, wish you luck! :thumbsup:

 

[treegump]

Oh sorry, I forgot all about those.

Just FYI!

When I wire up my fog/reverse lights I plan on using the trailer power supply and a relay. The switch for the relay will be the power from the reverse lights. That way it will keep the strain off the reverse light wires. This also will make the reverse lights on every time I put it in reverse and not have to play with a switch.

Do not know if this helps, wish you luck! :thumbsup:

yea, i thought of doing something like that, but on my truck i have a 6 pt and a 7 pt hookup, so I thought what I would is see how many lights he'd like on each trailer, and maybe just add a 6 pt hookup on switches for aux lights, backup lights (for the trailers that don't have it), and optional power. That way I'm not stealing from the 7 pt harness. I'll have to check that out though. Thanks!