Dodge RAM 2017 Cigar outlet goes cold

[CBTraveler]

We have a new 2017 Ram 1500 and are towing it for the first time. Big surprise on the first day we started towing it- The cigar lighter outlets shut off after about 10 minutes of towing. Result: The supplemental brakes did not work. Calls to the dealer and to Dodge Ram Support stated that there is not a way to keep the cigar lighter socket live while towing.


Has anyone found a way to keep the socket alive?

Fortunately I carried an extra 18 amp hour battery with us to work with my portable ham radio equipment, so I am able to use that until I have a permanent fix.

At this point, unless someone has found a way to solve the problem, i'm going to run a wire from the engine battery to the cabin. Fused of course.

[Skip426]

Body computer , shutting down all draws on battery to stop it from being drawn down to dead . Direct wire, from battery, and charge circuit from the coach, probably the only fix.

[BFlinn181]

You could either re-wire an outlet as Skip suggests, or just install a new outlet directly connected (with an inline fuse) to the battery. Many cars shut the power outlet off with ignition or timed off as you've discovered.