Headache rack lighting, will tapping into trailer light plug cause issues?

[kb5zcr]

Howdy all,
I'm welding up a headache rack for my 23 Rubi diesel. I would like to put some aux tail lights in it like the ranch trucks run around here.
I've seen 7-pin "T" adapter harnesses that put a 7-pin trailer connector in the bed of the truck, these are for pulling a 5th wheel trailer.

If I install one of these 7-pin T harnesses on my truck and then tap into that for the headache rack lights, will my bumper 7-pin connector still work when pulling my trailer?

Also, with the headache rack lights wired in this way, will something in the jeep "think" I'm pulling a trailer and change shift points as a towing mode will do.
I guess I could just splice into each tail light wireing and get the headache rack lighting working this way but it would be a lot more work.

I may have to skip the aux taillights in the rack if this turns into to much trouble than I'm willing to put to it.

Any knowledgeable input is appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

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[JeepOfTheseus]

AFAIK the "towing mode" is just the TCU detecting load, not anything through that harness.

Regarding using a t-tap...as long as the combined draw (if you're towing) remains under the factory fuse rating, you'd be fine.

 

[sarguy1941]

I use the T adapter as designed on my Back rack for both stop/signal and parking lights. it will work fine. Thruck wont know the difference.

 

[ChrisNLA]

You could use something like this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...tml?hhyear=2022&hhmake=Jeep&hhmodel=Gladiator

Or even something like this:

https://www.dirtroadcredmedia.com/p...l-jlu-taillight-harness-extension-plug-n-play

Truck won't be changing anything base on a light or two being plugged in. Mine drives normal with my small empty trailer behind it, for example.

 

[kb5zcr]

Great, thank you for yalls knowledge.
I think I'll continue planning for putting lights in it.

Thanks, Tim

 

[D_JT]

Another idea. When I installed my Seequenced 3rd brake light I didn't want to tap into the factory trailer plug harness. So I used this from Diode Dynamic. I used their splitter to tap into. Easy to replace if needed and easy to go back to stock. It also doesn't have a bunch of nonsense hanging off of it and its short. https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...V6LXAvwFh572GPyHG_yXFqRgcw9vuMxls7gRfw6vqjNXR

 

[Mr._Bill]

I used this harness from Curt to connect my additional reverse lights.

https://a.co/d/dagPolv

https://a.co/d/avHN08m

 

[kb5zcr]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I think I'm going to get a T harness and wire it in that way.

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