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07-11-2014, 08:15 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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Magnetic lights for towed vehicle
I may have to use magnetic lights for our towed vehicle. Yes, I know about diode systems and independent bulb systems. I'd appreciate hearing from folks that have experience, either good or bad with magnetic lights. If you can include the specific brand name that would help. Thanks.
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Joel, Lynette and the pups, Czarina & Natasha
2011 Essex 4556
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07-11-2014, 08:23 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joelyn5
I may have to use magnetic lights for our towed vehicle. Yes, I know about diode systems and independent bulb systems. I'd appreciate hearing from folks that have experience, either good or bad with magnetic lights. If you can include the specific brand name that would help. Thanks.
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You don't need independent bulbs and installing the diodes and wire is cheap and easy and finale.Mag lites can mark paint surfaces ,get moved. pain to have string wire over car every time you tow etc etc plus storeage of package
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07-11-2014, 08:26 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Gosnell, AR
Posts: 483
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I use magnetic lights for towing our 2003 Kia, sorry I do not know the brand name of them. It is a fast, easy setup using a flat-4 connector. I place them on the roof of the van, do a circle around the driver side mirror and plug in. 2 minutes tops and I am ready to go, and all at the cost of only $19.95, courtesy of Amazon.v
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Berniece & Russell with LilBit a Netherland Dwarf rabbit
1987 Southwind, 1995 Ford F150 Supercab 4X4 toad
Life in the fast lane? No thanks! We will stop and smell the flowers at every chance.
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07-11-2014, 08:33 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,500
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The two people , I know who used the , mag lights, had issues with the wiring wearing the toad paint.
One abandoned the system and installed diodes.
The other wrapped the wiring harness in a soft fabric , with magnets every foot to control the wiring movement in the wind.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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07-11-2014, 11:55 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,581
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Both my tow vehicles are hatch back so initially I ran the wire through the passenger compartment out the passenger door and under the hood. No problem but a little inconvenient. Later I installed wiring from the hood area under the cars and up into the rear cargo area. Added plugs so now I plug the lights into a fitting in the cargo area and have a short connector I run from the RV to the hood of the tow car. I did have a problem with the drivers side light blowing off the CRV when being passed by semi trucks in high winds in AZ. I put a small line of clear silicon around the area where the lights go and haven't had a problem since. Yes, there are some small scratches in the area where I put the lights but maybe they'll buff out.
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Bob & Sandi, dogs Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2005 34 foot DolphinLX
If towing: a bright red 2016 Mini Cooper on a tow dolly.
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07-11-2014, 12:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I have used a magnetic light set for many years. No issues. Don't know the brand, think I bought at Camping World. I have a wiring harness waiting to install, but the mag lights work and in find them not a big deal to install/remove, so not a motivation...
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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07-11-2014, 12:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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Great info. Thanks to all that answered.
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Joel, Lynette and the pups, Czarina & Natasha
2011 Essex 4556
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07-11-2014, 12:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,708
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Newmar Ventana 3933 | Miata close behind
1,060 Watts of Solar | 8 T-105 RE Batteries | Outback controls
HR 38 Endeavor
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07-11-2014, 01:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,636
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I'm leaning toward the wireless magnetic lights like what is available thru Tractor Supply. With the use of a 12vDC to 9vDC electronic device I'll not have to replace batteries.
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2012 Journey 40U (Our Incredible Journey)
2008 Dodge Dakota(TOAD) 2005 Honda Shadow in TOAD
AF-1 braking system
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07-11-2014, 01:41 PM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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I used a set years ago. The wire did not damage the paint, but fine dirt stuck under the magnet scratched the paint on the car.
I would do it again vs. modifying the car lights, but this time would use a piece of thin cloth between the light mount and the car.
Wal*Mart sells a set for $22 w/ 20' wire to the trailer plug on the RV. And there are also many available on-line.
Best luck
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07-11-2014, 01:44 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 420
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bought a set of lights that install into the existing light module and wire directly to motorhome. No power from toad and a snap to hook up.
93 Southwind
2001 Saturn SC2 toad
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07-11-2014, 01:44 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,489
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I have a Towmate. It's wireless and works great, just not cheap.
World's only full functioning wireless tail light system
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Mark Anderson - FMCA 351514 - NRVIA Certified Level 2 Inspector
Louisville, KY
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2006 Jeep Commander
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07-11-2014, 02:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,648
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I've used a set of LED magnetic tow lights made by Grote for several years. The magnets are so strong that the lights never move even driving the toad by itself at 80 MPH, with no scratches to the paint.
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2024 KZ Durango Gold
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07-12-2014, 08:20 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 4,671
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$9.95 Harbor Freight. Ran wiring in door, the out door and then under hood. Then to motorhome. Never had scratch although I did not slide the magnets on the finish.
With new auto LED lighting adding bulbs are not an option, IMHO.
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Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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