Trailer LED Light Adapter

[Stux]

My trailer uses LED lights. My MY2017 DS doesn't detect the trailer without load resistors.

So, I made a removable adapter from a donor Ford Ranger adapter. I determined that 12 Ohm resistors were sufficient to quickly trigger the trailer detection, and the 10W resistors from Jaycar fit nicely into the the adapter. At the indicators duty cycle, they don't seem to get overly hot.

Normal recommendation is to use 6/8ohm load resistors. This results in a lot more current draw, and thus a lot more heat, and a much larger, more expensive resistor. 12ohm works well, 16ohm was too close to nominal.

The benefit of not wiring into the car, or into the trailer, is the trailer detection works, the trailer works on cars which don't need adapters, the car still works on my other trailers with regular bulbs, and the adapter is re-usable/transferrable. LR really should sell one, just like Ford and VW do.

I suspect its fixed in later models.

Been working well for many months now.

147696147697147698

[jayray377]

My trailer uses LED lights. My MY2017 DS doesn't detect the trailer without load resistors.

So, I made a removable adapter from a donor Ford Ranger adapter. I determined that 12 Ohm resistors were sufficient to quickly trigger the trailer detection, and the 10W resistors from Jaycar fit nicely into the the adapter. At the indicators duty cycle, they don't seem to get overly hot.

Normal recommendation is to use 6/8ohm load resistors. This results in a lot more current draw, and thus a lot more heat, and a much larger, more expensive resistor. 12ohm works well, 16ohm was too close to nominal.

The benefit of not wiring into the car, or into the trailer, is the trailer detection works, the trailer works on cars which don't need adapters, the car still works on my other trailers with regular bulbs, and the adapter is re-usable/transferrable. LR really should sell one, just like Ford and VW do.

I suspect its fixed in later models.

Been working well for many months now.

147696147697147698

Hi all,

So, I am just reading this post and realised I have never seen the green trailer light on for my Disco sport (didn’t know it had one until I read the owner info just now) when towing the camper trailer.

How does one determine if this is needed and, also, is there an aftermarket solution as above?

I am also going to assume that all the towing features (tow assist etc.) are not enabled if this connection is not realised.

Thanks
Joel

[p38arover]

I have one made for LR by Lee Bourgois of Labtronx. I picked it secondhand up from the AULRO Market place. It's a bit bulky with 12N round connectors both ends and then a 12N to 7-pin flat adaptor.

Do you have a link to the circuit diagram of yours, Stux?

[jayray377]

I have one made for LR by Lee Bourgois of Labtronx. I picked it secondhand up from the AULRO Market place. It's a bit bulky with 12N round connectors both ends and then a 12N to 7-pin flat adaptor.

Do you have a link to the circuit diagram of yours, Stux?

Do you know the type/model?

ie Busta 4, busta 4a etc - Busta 4 (http://www.labtronx.com.au/labtronx-products/busta-4)

Thanks
Joel

[p38arover]

I'll have to go out to the trailer to check.

[p38arover]

Do you know the type/model?

ie Busta 4, busta 4a etc - Busta 4 (http://www.labtronx.com.au/labtronx-products/busta-4)

Thanks
Joel

150345

[Stux]

I have one made for LR by Lee Bourgois of Labtronx. I picked it secondhand up from the AULRO Market place. It's a bit bulky with 12N round connectors both ends and then a 12N to 7-pin flat adaptor.

Do you have a link to the circuit diagram of yours, Stux?

Iirc, Resistors need to jump between the left and right indicator lines and ground. Left and right are left and rightmost pins

[Stux]

Hi all,

So, I am just reading this post and realised I have never seen the green trailer light on for my Disco sport (didn’t know it had one until I read the owner info just now) when towing the camper trailer.

How does one determine if this is needed and, also, is there an aftermarket solution as above?

I am also going to assume that all the towing features (tow assist etc.) are not enabled if this connection is not realised.

Thanks
Joel

if you don’t see the trailer light blinking when you use your left or right indicators then you should do this

[jayray377]

Just a question before I get the lights wired up with resistors.

Why can’t I use the Ford adapter below straight up?

Genuine Ford PX Ranger LED Light Trailer Adaptor/Plug/Loom Resistor Focus Towbar Genuine Ford PX Ranger LED Light Trailer Adaptor/Plug/Loom Resistor Focus Towbar | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F151511629652)

[BMKal]

You don’t need an adapter. Everything other than the green trailer light on the dash works perfectly with or without the adapter and the green flashing light.

I have two trailers, both with all LED lights - one has resistors wired into the indicator circuits and the green light on the dash flashes when the indicators are on. The other trailer doesn’t have resistors wired up yet and the green light on the dash doesn’t work. Other than that, there is no difference in towing the two trailers.

[Mamil]

You don’t need an adapter. Everything other than the green trailer light on the dash works perfectly with or without the adapter and the green flashing light.

I have two trailers, both with all LED lights - one has resistors wired into the indicator circuits and the green light on the dash flashes when the indicators are on. The other trailer doesn’t have resistors wired up yet and the green light on the dash doesn’t work. Other than that, there is no difference in towing the two trailers.

Sorry, but that's incorrect - at least for the Discovery Sport which is what this question is all about.

If you don't see the green trailer symbol flashing when you indicate, then the towing program has not been activated on the DS. Yes the trailer will still follow you around, the brakes and lights will work, but none of the special towing features will be on.

If you don't believe me then try this very simple test.

Hook up a trailer with LED lights and no resistors - the green trailer symbol won't light when you indicate, and the rear fog lamps and rear parking warning beeper work as per normal.

Then attach a trailer with incandescent globes, or LED globes and resistors. The green symbol will now flash when you indicate, and your rear fog lights will no longer work, and you rear parking sensors are de-activated. This shows the DS now knows a trailer is attached and has activated it's towing features. The rear fog lamps are de-activated so they don't distract you by lighting up the trailer, and the reversing beeper is turned off so you don't get a constant alarm every time you select reverse because it's detecting the trailer behind you! These are the most obvious signs that the DS has activated its towing program, but other, less obvious things will have changed which are more about safety than just convenience - specifically trailer stability assist.

178650

So, in summary - if the green trailer symbol on your instrument display doesn't flash with your indicators, the DS doesn't know a trailer is attached and won't have activated its advanced towing features. Does this mean you will immediately crash and burn? No! But as you've paid for a car that has all these fancy electronics to make towing more convenient and safer, you might as well use them when all it takes is the installation of a couple of resistors costing about thirty bucks!

178651

[Andrei]

Just a question before I get the lights wired up with resistors.

Why can’t I use the Ford adapter below straight up?

Genuine Ford PX Ranger LED Light Trailer Adaptor/Plug/Loom Resistor Focus Towbar Genuine Ford PX Ranger LED Light Trailer Adaptor/Plug/Loom Resistor Focus Towbar | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F151511629652)



I have the same question as trying to resolve this problem now. The Ford adaptor has resistors inside of the adaptor. Are they different from the resistors required for LR circuits?

[loanrangie]

I have the same question as trying to resolve this problem now. The Ford adaptor has resistors inside of the adaptor. Are they different from the resistors required for LR circuits?

No they will be same, just needs to sense a load on the circuit.

[Andrei]

No they will be same, just needs to sense a load on the circuit.

Excellent! I have ordered an adaptor. In case it does not work I will add 1 Narva resistor to any of the blinkers on that same adaptor.