Community Forums

Barmats · 05-22-2016, 11:32 AM

I just had the wiring harness installed on my F150. Just like on my previous Jeep Wrangler, the brake and turn signals do not function separately while being towed. On the Jeep, I thought it was because there was only one light assembly on each side, rather than separate brake and turn signal lights inside the case. Upon further inspection, I see that the F150's tail lights are indeed the same.

The shop that installed the wiring harness said that there's only one wire going to the tail light assembly on each side. Because a CAN bus multiplex system is used, there's no way to physically separate the brake and turn signal light function without some way to decode the multiplexed signal for each function. They checked with Demco, who said that this is something they're working on. In the meantime, if a turn signal is on and the brakes are pressed, the brake light bypasses the flashing turn signal so the tail light is on solid. It's not a huge deal as the rear coach lights and turn signals are fairly high and very visible, but it's not ideal. I will generally have a full-size HD touring bike in the bed of the truck so the CHMSL will not be visible.

Has anyone run into this before, and if so, are you aware of any workaround?

BFlinn181 · 05-22-2016, 03:13 PM

To simplify things, why not stick trailer tail lights on sticks to fit in the stake pockets on the end of the truck bed? By-pass the truck lights completely. A set of trailer brake lights can be had for $20 or so at Walmart or Harbor Freight that could be wired right into the socket on the front of the pick up.

Barmats · 05-23-2016, 01:20 PM

Sometimes simple is better... but I chose the other route because I wanted a more permanent, set-it-and-forget-it solution. If I had to do it again, I would consider a magnetic or pop-in light set. Another member here went with a "line of fire" type of stick-on LED bar that mounts between the tailgate and bumper but I don't think that would be visible as I'll always be towing with my tailgate down.

walt2137 · 05-24-2016, 08:30 PM

I went another way with a 60 inch strip light and installed it on the bottom edge of my F150 tail gate.

60" LED Strip Tailgate Bar Reverse Brake Turn Signal Tail Light for Truck Pickup | eBay

Barmats · 05-25-2016, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walt2137

I went another way with a 60 inch strip light and installed it on the bottom edge of my F150 tail gate.

60" LED Strip Tailgate Bar Reverse Brake Turn Signal Tail Light for Truck Pickup | eBay

This is a great solution, but my tailgate is down when I tow with a motorcycle in the bed which would obscure the row of LEDs. This is the main reason I went with the wiring harness, but I wish now I had chosen a simpler route. I could have had the installer drill into the tail light assembly and use incandescent bulbs, but a) these units have the BLIS radar (blind spot warning and cross traffic radar) in each assembly and I was worried about potential damage, and b) drilling into an LED unit to install incandescent bulbs seems like a step backwards.

walt2137 · 05-25-2016, 07:44 PM

I made this yrs ago to go in the 2 inch receiver out of 2x2 1/4 angle and a piece of 2 inch squar tubing with 2 led tail signal lights attached to each end. I have used it on different toads .

Slice · 03-15-2017, 09:05 AM

I too had issues with the 16 f150 tail lights and came up with this. took angle iron and put the LED's on them and also added side LED's, mounted to the hitch where it attaches to the frame, wired to the RV along with the LED BAR light under the tailgate, I also haul motorcycle in the bed of the truck so now they can be seen..

walt2137 · 03-15-2017, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slice

I too had issues with the 16 f150 tail lights and came up with this. took angle iron and put the LED's on them and also added side LED's, mounted to the hitch where it attaches to the frame, wired to the RV along with the LED BAR light under the tailgate, I also haul motorcycle in the bed of the truck so now they can be seen..

I like your light setup better than what I did with the 2x2 angle, I also have the M&G system in our F150. Love the Red!

Slice · 03-16-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walt2137

I like your light setup better than what I did with the 2x2 angle, I also have the M&G system in our F150. Love the Red!

thanks, I could not use my receiver hitch as i use it for the Bike rack... or I would have did what you had done.... makes it easier in and out...

walt2137 · 03-19-2017, 06:48 AM

Slice I use a tailgate support when I load our golf cart in the truck , I don't know if there is much added weight on your tail gate with the motorcycle if it is this might be something you would want. And yes I use the led lights on the Tbar when we haul the golf cart.

https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/p...50-5-5-8-beds/

evofxdwg · 04-03-2017, 04:13 PM

TOAD: 2016 F150 FX4 Supercrew

No additional lights but i wired up the 2016 F150 OEM tail light STOP/TURN filaments to be controlled by the motorhome thru relays. Relays enable motorhome control of these filaments when braking system switch is ON. This required cutting two wires and adding a waterproof box with two relays under the truck bed. The TOAD high center brake light also operates normally when the brakes are applied by the braking system.

When i tow, i simply turn the TOAD light switch to "PARK" to provide front/rear/side running and license lights.

To prevent TOAD battery depletion, i added Aux+12V wire to motorhome 7 way trailer connector and charge TOAD battery while towing. Aux +12V is only hot when motorhome is running and is protected with 30A circuit breakers near both motorhome and TOAD batteries. I have done one 300 mile trip with this configuration and there is not an issue with the TOAD battery management system.