Lighting requirements on toad

[rg neumann]

We are towing a Mini Cooper on a Demco SS dolly. What are the legal requirements to have magnetic or other lights on towed car. Should lights be on the car during the day and are some states more restrictive than others. Plan to go from Ohio to Florida.

[Mr_D]

Depends on the laws of the state you're in at the time. I wired our Ody to tow four down behind the MH, but we also tow in on a KK-460 so all I did was splice into the dolly wiring and put a plug on that matched the Ody

[ahicks]

I think functional lights on the dolly satisfy any lighting requirements?

[Elkhartjim]

We towed using a Demco SS approximately 35000 miles without any axillary lights, just the dolly lights. I would think the laws of your home state would prevail not each state you travel through...I think.

[Steve N Sal]

Does your dolly not have lights???? That would be the only requirement to my knowledge.

[njs42]

The laws of the state you are in prevail for lighting, towing, braking and traffic and are different and not difficult to look up. I have no idea what they would be perhaps having dolly lights is universal, perhaps not so look it up or check with local authorities.

The path of least resistance is to equip with the magnetic lighting and be done with it, that way you most likely comply with any state requirements. The odds of getting stopped if you have dolly lights only are probably minimal; but being properly or even over equiped avoids it altogether. Additional lighting is just an additional safety feature as well. 2cents worth.

[njs42]

A quick check came up with this law in Ohio, it seems to suggest the lights are required to on the "rear" of the vehicle. I think it means the very rear which would be the rear of your toad not the dolly. You can look it up or read this here and determine for yourself. IMHO the lights are required in Ohio. Nice websire on Ohio vehicle laws.



) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with two or more stop lights, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1967, motorcycles, and motor-driven cycles shall be equipped with at least one stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights when actuated shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the stop lights on the rear-most vehicle need be visible from the distance specified.
Such stop lights when actuated shall give a steady warning light to the rear of a vehicle or train of vehicles to indicate the intention of the operator to diminish the speed of or stop a vehicle or train of vehicles.
When stop lights are used as required by this section, they shall be constructed or installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate rules and regulations established under section 4513.19 of the Revised Code.
Historical motor vehicles as defined in section 4503.181 of the Revised Code, not originally manufactured with stop lights, are not subject to this section.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Amended by 128th General Assembly File No. 9, HB 1, § 101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.
Effective Date: 01-01-2004

[njs42]

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42 The laws of the state you are in prevail for lighting, towing, braking and traffic and are different and not difficult to look up. I have no idea what they would be perhaps having dolly lights is universal, perhaps not so look it up or check with local authorities. The path of least resistance is to equip with the magnetic lighting and be done with it, that way you most likely comply with any state requirements. The odds of getting stopped if you have dolly lights only are probably minimal; but being properly or even over equiped avoids it altogether. Additional lighting is just an additional safety feature as well. 2cents worth.

I was vague--the state you are " in" means the one you are traveling through.

I supplied another post with the law in your state; Ohio.

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahicks I think functional lights on the dolly satisfy any lighting requirements?

Multiple answer.. First, I agree with the above, I think the tow dolly, which is a trailer, meets the requirements in most states, HOWEVER.

I would tie in the car's tail lights as well,, Just for safety.. I know lighting laws have changed since the last time I dolly towed.

It is not that hard to add the car's tail lights in, An RV dealer can sell you (And install if needed) a diode kit, Basically this is a box with 3 sets of leads, two short leads match a connector under the dash, you seperate the connector and plug the plug and socket into the matching leads from the box, the long lead goes up to the front of the ride and ends in a flat-4 tow light plug.

You wire the matching socket to the dolly,, That simple.