Community Forums

Arch Hoagland · 01-06-2005, 07:58 PM

I just started pulling a new 2004 Suzuki XL7. I like to drive with my headlights on at all times. This, of course, turns on the parking lights, etc on the toad. Does the coach supply power to the toad lights or are the toad lights getting their power from the toad's battery?
If the toad battery is suppling the power about how long can you drive till the battery gives out?

Arch Hoagland · 01-06-2005, 07:58 PM

I just started pulling a new 2004 Suzuki XL7. I like to drive with my headlights on at all times. This, of course, turns on the parking lights, etc on the toad. Does the coach supply power to the toad lights or are the toad lights getting their power from the toad's battery?
If the toad battery is suppling the power about how long can you drive till the battery gives out?

UPS 34 · 01-07-2005, 02:55 AM

The toad lights are being powered by the Motor Home. The only way the battery on the toad is used if you turn on the lights in the toad.

Cruzer · 01-07-2005, 06:06 AM

That's right, the lights are powered by the coach.

However, I see you have a US Gear tow brake. On my Suncruiser the US Gear setup required two wires, which I wired into the 6 wire umbilical cord. One wire triggers the brake solenoid and the other connects the toad battery with the RV battery. That's because the US Gear brake solenoid runs off the toad battery and they needed a way to keep it charged.

Therefore, even if the lights did run off the toad's battery, you'd still be covered because the RV charges the toad battery while you drive.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-07-2005, 05:37 PM

It depends to some extent on who wired the toad's lighting and brakes. I've seen and heard of some really strange - or poor quality - set-ups. But yours should be wired such that the tail and signal lights are powered from the coach. And in some set-ups (not all) the coach might charge the toad battery.

Oh by the way, if your coach is equipped with Daytime Running Lights, the tail light circuts are not activated while the head lamps are in Daytime mode.

For the benefit of others who may read this, if your toad brake system is the type that pushes the toad brake pedal (Brake Buddy, Tow-V-Aire, etc), then your toad brake lights are being operated via the toad's own brake system and using toad battery power to do it. Other systems may or may not, depending on their design.

Arch Hoagland · 01-07-2005, 07:06 PM

Thank you all for the quick reply. The entire system was installed by Southwest Driveline in Yuma,AZ. They are excellent to deal with and did a very nice professional install. I ran with the headlights on all day today and had no problems...other than 60 mph winds in central Calif. That was a little spooky to say the least!