Rear sensors on/off while towing?

[rick_od]

I thought i read somewhere on here that when a trailer is plugged in, the rear sensors automatically know there is a trailer present and they de-activate. Yesterday i hooked up a trailer and while backing it up the sensors were screaming and the brakes applied. Easy fix by turning the rear sensors off but was i wrong in my understanding that they are automatic once the trailer is plugged in?
And, i dont have the trailer brakes/tow package but after i drove the truck about 50' the dash told me it sees the trailer and has extended the blind spot detection zone. How did this happen if i dont have the tow package?
Thanks

 

[iamtheav8r]

I thought i read somewhere on here that when a trailer is plugged in, the rear sensors automatically know there is a trailer present and they de-activate. Yesterday i hooked up a trailer and while backing it up the sensors were screaming and the brakes applied. Easy fix by turning the rear sensors off but was i wrong in my understanding that they are automatic once the trailer is plugged in?
And, i dont have the trailer brakes/tow package but after i drove the truck about 50' the dash told me it sees the trailer and has extended the blind spot detection zone. How did this happen if i dont have the tow package?
Thanks

Mine has a switch to turn off front or rear (or both) sensors.

 

[rick_od]

Mine has a switch to turn off front or rear (or both) sensors.

Yes, thanks. Im aware of the dash switches. Its why i said, 'easy fix by turning the rear sensors off'. My question was pertaining to the idea that i read it was automatic when a trailer was plugged in.

 

[iamtheav8r]

Yes, thanks. Im aware of the dash switches. Its why i said, 'easy fix by turning the rear sensors off'. My question was pertaining to the idea that i read it was automatic when a trailer was plugged in.

Sorry, I didn't catch that. I've not found anything stating they disable on their own. If you do find something that states that, please cite it here. Thanks

 

[Big BLU]

I read or heard that also. I hooked my trailer up and did the same. First couple of times I thought it turned off automatically. But, since I ran into a wall I've had them off for over a year. Pure useless in my mind!

 

[duke2001]

I thought i read somewhere on here that when a trailer is plugged in, the rear sensors automatically know there is a trailer present and they de-activate. Yesterday i hooked up a trailer and while backing it up the sensors were screaming and the brakes applied. Easy fix by turning the rear sensors off but was i wrong in my understanding that they are automatic once the trailer is plugged in?
And, i dont have the trailer brakes/tow package but after i drove the truck about 50' the dash told me it sees the trailer and has extended the blind spot detection zone. How did this happen if i dont have the tow package?
Thanks

Check out previous threads.... no they do not turn off automatically, you have to do it manually.

 

[tobyw]

Interesting... when I hook up my trailer the rear sensors do turn off automatically? In fact, I have to manually turn them back on when I unplug the trailer... maybe mine is wired backwards

 

[devildodge]

The big question for those who have said both.

Did you use the 7 pin plug both scenarios, or was one with the 4 pin and one with the 7 pin.

On my truck, as soon as the 7 pin is plugged in the rear sensors turn off. No experience yet with the 4 pin.

 

[Big BLU]

The big question for those who have said both.

Did you use the 7 pin plug both scenarios, or was one with the 4 pin and one with the 7 pin.

On my truck, as soon as the 7 pin is plugged in the rear sensors turn off. No experience yet with the 4 pin.

T
Ahhh, that's probably it then! I use my 7 pin but my trailer is 4. So, a solid 7 pin will probably do the trick! That's why I couldn't answer right away. Case solved!

 

[duke2001]

Okay I am officially confused. Next time I hookup my trailer I will pay more attention. If I provided erroneous information, I apologize!

 

[devildodge]

If you use the 4 pin, I do not believe it will turn off the sensors automatically, you would have to manually. If you use the 7 pin, it should turn them off automatically. If it doesn't I would think something is wrong.

Hope that helps and makes sense.

 

[Zeronet]

My truck definitely turns off the rear sensors automatically when I plug in my travel trailer using the 7 pin connector. Also the truck has the OEM trailer brake controller.

 

[rick_od]

For some clarification, my post was based on a 4-pin plug.