Boat questions, electrical

I have a 2010 Lund Explorer SS 1825 that I purchased this summer. I have a couple questions on electrical work that may need to be done.

About 1 out of 3 times I tow the boat I get a message on my 2018 F150 saying that “Right Turn Lamp Malfunction”, and my right turn signal won’t work. All other lights work, just not that one. The other 2 times all lights and signals work. I have cleaned the connections and put dielectric grease on the components.

The other question is about the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter plug in). I went to plug in a usb charger adapter and noticed that there was rubber or plastic inside the whole and the adapter wouldn’t stay or connect. I guessing at some point there was an issue with an accessory.

Any insight or ideas on either?

acarroline wrote:

About 1 out of 3 times I tow the boat I get a message on my 2018 F150 saying that “Right Turn Lamp Malfunction”, and my right turn signal won’t work. All other lights work, just not that one. The other 2 times all lights and signals work. I have cleaned the connections and put dielectric grease on the components.

Likely an intermittent short somewhere in that circuit on the trailer. You can try to find it or just replace all the wiring. Replacing the wiring is typically easier and quicker. May as well upgrade to LED if it isn’t already while you’re at it.

acarroline wrote:

The other question is about the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter plug in). I went to plug in a usb charger adapter and noticed that there was rubber or plastic inside the whole and the adapter wouldn’t stay or connect. I guessing at some point there was an issue with an accessory.

Many 12v plugs have an end that unscrews, they like to come undone or break and stay inside the outlet. Turn the power off/disconnect the battery and take dental pick type tool and try to pull it out.

The turn signal is either the plug not connecting properly (try bending the tabs), a bad ground somewhere, or a short in that specific wire.

If you checked all the connections you may have some corrosion or an exposed wire on the right signal wire. Maybe it got pinched or has worn through the sheath somewhere. You could run a jumper from the plug to the light. If that works for a few trips just replace that wire.

Can’t help on the outlet.

Is it just the trailer or truck turn signal ?

I have the same truck and the same exact issue with both of my trailers. And it is always the right faulty turn lamp. I read on one Ford forum that it may be a ford plug issue, that they went cheap on the connections. I cleaned mine and put dielectric grease on the terminals as well. Kind of frustrating.

It can not be a “short” with out blowing the fuse. Are you blowing a fuse along with the error message?
It could be an internal break in the wire anywhere along it’s length. Or as has been suggested a bad connection at the truck plug in.

I’d use a tester and check the plug first, then work your way back to the trailer light.

Have you tried hitching the trailer to a different vehicle? It will help you isolate the problem to the truck or the trailer.

Had a the same problem with my trailer. Found that 2018 chev silverado and the turn signal have separate fuses for left and right signals.