Community Forums

nato · 08-27-2021, 10:37 AM

Iam a noob and have been made aware I need a supplemental brake system to tow. I am looking at the RVi system that looks about as easy as it gets. My question is do you need wiring like a trailer for tail lights since the RVi breaking system will activate the brake lights when it pushes on the brake?

thank you!

jacwjames · 08-27-2021, 10:47 AM

You will still need turn signals and running lights.

We pull a Jeep. I used a Roadmaster 9000 which is basically and air cylinder that depresses the brake pedal as you apply the brakes in the coach. The brake lights do come on.
But I had to run a separate system for the turn signals. I decided to go with system where I installed separate bulbs and wire from back to front and a pig 4 wire pigtail that mates to a plug from the coach. I did not run a separate charge wire to the the Jeep.

One issue though is that if we drive +3 days without starting our Jeep the batteries will go down, normally not a problem as we disconnect almost daily but the last long trip we didn't disconnect for 3 days and had to jump start the Jeep.

hoosierrun · 08-27-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato

Iam a noob and have been made aware I need a supplemental brake system to tow. I am looking at the RVi system that looks about as easy as it gets. My question is do you need wiring like a trailer for tail lights since the RVi breaking system will activate the brake lights when it pushes on the brake?

thank you!

In most cases you should be fine. If the system presses down the brake pedal and turns on the brake lights, you are covered. If you own a motorhome and are towing (a toad) you need a wiring harness for your tail lights, turn signals and brake light from the motorhome.... plus you need a diode kit to prevent voltage from back feeding into the toad.

ArtJoyce · 08-27-2021, 11:00 AM

Yes, I installed stop lights from the MH on the toad. I have a DP motor home. There are two cases that the MH brake lights come on. 1) with the engine brake braking 2) with the air brakes.

If you don't install brake lights they will not come on with the engine brakes. They will come on with the with the supplemental brakes if the engage the toad brakes.

ROUGHRIDER3 · 08-27-2021, 01:25 PM

Lights would help prevent someone from running into to you at night!!!

Isaac-1 · 08-27-2021, 02:04 PM

Yes, you need brake, tail and turn signal lights, this can be done by wiring in a diode kit and connection to the trailer connector on your motorhome, or can by done by connecting a wired or wireless light bar / tail light solution such as https://www.amazon.com/TowMate-RVHW3.../dp/B00T37H9E6 (there are also cheaper models, but they tend to use disposable batteries and burn through batteries quickly) like https://www.amazon.com/Blazer-C6304-...dp/B00BJEICDS/

People that use wired temporary tow lights often complain about the wires rubbing on the paint and damaging it, though they have the advantage of being cheap such as these by Harbor freight https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-ma...kit-64282.html

All things considered converting the TOAD car lights is not that hard, particularly if there is a pre made wiring harness for it like these by Curt https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-electrical/rv-harnesses If there is not a harness then you will need a diode kit where you have to cut wires and splice in isolation diodes such as https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wir...er/RM-154.html See example installation video to get an idea of what is involved

p.s. if you opt for a magnetic mount option, make sure you have a good surface that magnets will stick to for mounting, more and more cars are being made with Aluminum or Fiberglass body panels which magnets will not stick to.

Winemaker2 · 08-27-2021, 02:16 PM

I have done 2 toads and have elected to add independant bulbs for both to avoid any issues / interaction with toad wiring.
Etrailer has kits for either way along with decent how to videos.
On my second toad I added a charge wire to the toad battery to avoid any run down battys. MH keeps toad charged up while driving. I would use a 20A fuse or manually reset breaker close to the toad battery. I have read about toad fires due to auto reset breakers and avoid them.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/INLINE-20...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sent from my SM-T387V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

mrboyer · 08-27-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Yes, you need brake, tail and turn signal lights, this can be done by wiring in a diode kit and connection to the trailer connector on your motorhome, or can by done by connecting a wired or wireless light bar / tail light solution such as https://www.amazon.com/TowMate-RVHW3.../dp/B00T37H9E6 (there are also cheaper models, but they tend to use disposable batteries and burn through batteries quickly) like https://www.amazon.com/Blazer-C6304-...dp/B00BJEICDS/

People that use wired temporary tow lights often complain about the wires rubbing on the paint and damaging it, though they have the advantage of being cheap such as these by Harbor freight https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-ma...kit-64282.html

All things considered converting the TOAD car lights is not that hard, particularly if there is a pre made wiring harness for it like these by Curt https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-electrical/rv-harnesses If there is not a harness then you will need a diode kit where you have to cut wires and splice in isolation diodes such as https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wir...er/RM-154.html See example installation video to get an idea of what is involved

p.s. if you opt for a magnetic mount option, make sure you have a good surface that magnets will stick to for mounting, more and more cars are being made with Aluminum or Fiberglass body panels which magnets will not stick to.

Current auto manufacturers are recommending that diodes not be used due small leakage through the diodes than cause computer failure, very expensive repair. The recommended is the external magnetic lights you stated or a separate circuit of LED lights.

Roadmaster sell a complete installation set of LED lights. Depending on you current rv lights, you may need one if their adapter modules to convert from separate lights to combined.

Isaac-1 · 08-27-2021, 09:18 PM

Sure they do, but that slight chance will not stop me from using a diode system.

emdoc · 08-28-2021, 02:12 AM

Yes, you need lights (turn/stop/running) as others have said.

You also need to look at the towing instructions for your vehicle. Some, like our Silverado 2500 HD, require the battery to be disconnected for 4 down towing. This will determine what type of braking system you can use.

Roamer37 · 08-28-2021, 07:23 AM

Guy next to our coach recently had this wireless setup on his Newmar pulling a Jeep. That’s the way we’re going to go. Simple and no alterations to the wiring.

https://www.amazon.com/Oyviny-Wirele...s%2C738&sr=8-6

Alan_Hepburn · 08-28-2021, 02:12 PM

We used the magnetic mount lights on our Wrangler for the first several months, then I found a wiring kit from Cooltechllc that looked promising, other than the price. I ended up making my own kit for about 1/3 the cost and it works great - their kit puts the operating switch under the passenger seat while mine is on the dash. Put the switch in one position and the Jeep's taillights are fed from the RV; put the switch in the other position and the Jeep's taillights are fed from the Jeep. Absolutely no way to back-feed the Jeep from the RV.