Emergency Flasher for Trailer

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by drfife

A flasher relay plugged into the umbilical does the same thing. Available for about $5 at any auto supply store.

I bought one 15 years ago.

TOOGOO(R) Turn Signal Flasher Blinker Relay 12V 2 Pin for Motorcycle LED Indicator Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMO3V0S..._6FlVCb2WB14CN

This is what I did too Doc. But to add to your post, you have to "finesse" or slight bend one of the tabs to fit into the 7 pin socket. Also beware that the terminals will corrode or rust if left in the elements. Coat flasher terminals with grease or the like. I didn't and velcoed the flasher to the inside of the pinbox so that it would be handy when it was needed. Just thought I'd share.

[rarebear.nm]

X2 with Tom on need to protect the contacts. I use a speciality electrical grease called NO-OX-ID on all my exposed connections. It has been used by the telcoms for decades.

[CARLnJANIS]

When I decided to make the emergency flasher for my trailer, it was with the hope I would never need to use it. Well, Murphy strikes again. On my way to park the trailer at a local RV park, the turbocharger on my F-450 blew. There was a loud bank under the hood, a sudden loud exhaust sound under the hood, the turbo gauge dropped to nothing, and the engine lost power. And of course, I was stuck on the side of the road on I-20 in Fort Worth, a very dangerous spot known for people running over each other.

GoodSam Roadside Assistance wasn't much help. They are great for a jump, change a flat, or bring some gas, but a tow, they couldn't find someone who would tow a fiver. They said they could tow it to a local Walmart and then could tow it to the repair shop the next day. The Walmart was in a less than ideal place to leave my trailer. The LEO, who was parked behind the trailer for safety sake, laughed when I told him what Good Sam said. The LEO said I might as well hung a sign stating, "Come and get it."

As for the emergency flasher, worked like a charm. Impressed the LEO and the wrecker drivers. One of the drivers owns a trailer and said he will make himself one.

[JDT]

Carl, sorry to hear that. Sounds like it will not be a cheap fix for the truck. I did not renew my Good Sam roadside assistance because I kept reading stories like yours.

Let us know how it goes.

[CARLnJANIS]

Well it wasn't the turbocharger itself, it was the CAT (compressed air tube) tube. It is a plastic-like fitting on the high pressure side of the turbocharger. The part became brittle and failed. Luckily, there was a "Customer Satisfaction Program" for that part extending the warranty. Took the Ford truck shop an hour to do the paperwork and pull the part from stock, and 15 minutes to remove and replace the part. Didn't cost me a thing. However, I paid a small fortune for towing.

[JDT]

That is great news, except for the tow in, of course.

[CARLnJANIS]

I was misinformed by the service advisor, the part is a CAC (charge air cooler) outlet tube that comes out of the air cool to the intake.