Toad lighting...would this work???

[Fla2RI]

Would it be possible to run a 4 strand wire with the appropriate plug from the motorhome's trailer connector, run the wire through the toad and enter the toad's stop/tail/turn wiring at the rear of the toad through the toads own trailer tow plug? When energized, wouldn't the power run the appropriate lights and backfeed only as far as the brake light switch, headlight switch and turn signal switch? What am I missing? No splicing into the toad?

[Pigman1]

Yeah, on the old toads, but with things like a 2012, there's a lighting computer, and I have no clue how it would deal with a back-feed. On our Chevy, I did just what you said, except I ran it through a diode just before the light. No back-feed and either the coach feeds the light, or the vehicle feeds the light.

[Ramblin]

I imagine you would need to use diodes to ensure this backfeeding didn't fry any upstream electronics, but its an interesting concept. I'll stay tuned for more experienced replies.

[Healeyman]

I bought a 4 pack of diodes at Radio Shack for $3 and installed them myself, running a 4-wire trailer lighting harness under the car, front to back, as you suggest.

I have about $18 tied up in all of the lighting wiring.

I have drawn up a schematic of how the diodes go in if you want to try it.

Tim = tim@ntahc.org

[Gma-n-Gpa]

So did you put the diodes in the TOAD side or the MH side? which electronics are you protecting with the diodes? Sounds interesting, I would install another set of diodes to provide a bit more protection - but then I tend to be a bit overboard sometimes....

[wa8yxm]

Short answer; NO, you need a diode kit.

One of the reasons for this: First: Your turn signals WILL NOT WORK with your plan, For example.. If you want to signal a right turn you will get Right Front and All REAR lights flashing. Touch the brakes and all flashing stops.

Some brake systems that sense he presence of voltage on the brake wire.. Will not release.. Your Cruise control thus will not work and ABS may fail.

In short, very bad idea.. Diodes are not expensive. Though kits, generally are.

[Fla2RI]

I kinda figured there was a reason that this was not a popular option. I will stick with my semi-hard wired Custer magnetic LED lights. I wired the toad from grill to trunk with 4 pin flat plugs, so the wire runs through the car. I'd rather not cut into the toad wiring.

[JimColeman]

Instead of diodes, I bought 2 DPDT switches, one for tail lights and one for turn/stop lights. I cut the stock wires and ran the input (hot) wire to one side of the switch and the wire to the light to the center post. I then ran the toad wiring from the motorhome to the other side of the switches. The switches are mounted in the trunk and are put in one position for towing and the other position for towing.
The switches are much cheaper than diodes.

[Old Dude 66]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Short answer; NO, you need a diode kit.

One of the reasons for this: First: Your turn signals WILL NOT WORK with your plan, For example.. If you want to signal a right turn you will get Right Front and All REAR lights flashing. Touch the brakes and all flashing stops.

Some brake systems that sense he presence of voltage on the brake wire.. Will not release.. Your Cruise control thus will not work and ABS may fail.

In short, very bad idea.. Diodes are not expensive. Though kits, generally are.

What wa8yxm said!

[173dave]

I had mine wired at Camping World. It works but they tried to rip me off on the price. Charged me over $600.00 then mailed back $200 after I complained. It was worth about $60 for the work they did.

[Healeyman]

Originally Posted by JimColeman

The switches are much cheaper than diodes.

Jim,

Not so much... Radio Shack has THIS 4 pack of 6A diodes for $2.69.
http://http://www.radioshack.com/pro...rodsPerPage=60

I haven't seen a DPDT switch priced for less than that since the 60's.

Tim

[free-to-roam]

Lowes has a nice, fairly inexpensive trailer wiring kit, includes all you need to do the job right, and have convienient plug-and-go capabilities....

[born2camp]

Here is what I went with and it is simple Tow Daddy