Supplemental Toad Lighting

[va22973]

Good Evening All..........My partner and I are relatively new to the Class A - "DP" world and we have a question for our more experienced/seasoned IRV2 site members. The information we've garnered here is incalculable and hopefully we can get help with our latest quandary. As previously noted, we have a 2014 Fleetwood Expedition 39S. We're towing a 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit and currently using the Patriot Braking system for supplemental braking of our toad. We love the current set-up but, wonder what everyone's thoughts are on additional caution (flashing) lights/lighting for the toad. Any help, opinions, thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time and safe travels to all!

[RobbyII]

The toad requires (by law) that tail and brake lights work with the MH. There are many ways, from magnetic lights, wireless battery powered to the actual lights on toad hard wired to MH (via plug on the rear). I believe all are legal. I hardwire and even have marker lights on the front on with tail lights. Under poor road conditions, rain, fog it is sometimes hard to see that the main coach has another vehicle attached. I don't know what your vehicles requires, my Jeep Wrangler was wired to existing vehicle lights, my now Chev Sonic I had to install separate bulbs along side factory ones. I used brighter than stock LED to make sure they are easy to see. None of it is real hard to do.

[va22973]

Thank you for your insight "RobbyII"......

[WDW]

We added a second set of turning / stop lights to the MH so they can be seen just above the toad.

[TonyDi]

We had lights installed in tandem with our regular lights. The diode kit is easy to install and it's permanent. Almost no battery drain.

[Labrat46]

I added brighter LED running and brake lights, two 2" X 12" magnetic reflective stripes on each side and the reflective sign on the rear. As a side note, I always drive with the RV lights on which activates the Toad's running lights so I added a chime to the coach side door to remind me the lights are on as the RV doesn't unless I open the driver's door.

[Loggenrock]

Are you thinking of installing lights that are going to flash all the time? Not just stop/turn/brake lights? If so, not only do I NOT think it is a good idea, but colored flashing warning lights are actually regulated by each state. Flashing red ones are either fire or police, yellow are tow or plow trucks, the list goes on. Stick with the "regular" vehicle lights, in my opinion... ST

[evofxdwg]

No additional lights but i wired up the 2016 F150 OEM tail light STOP/TURN filaments to be controlled by the motorhome thru relays. Relays enable motorhome control of these filaments when braking system switch is ON. This required cutting two wires and adding a waterproof box with two relays under the truck bed. The TOAD high center brake light also operates normally when the brakes are applied by the braking system.

When i tow, i simply turn the TOAD light switch to "PARK" to provide front/rear/side running and license lights.

To prevent TOAD battery depletion, i added Aux+12V wire to motorhome 7 way trailer connector and charge TOAD battery while towing. Aux +12V is only hot when motorhome is running and is protected with 30A circuit breakers near both motorhome and TOAD batteries. I have done one 300 mile trip with this configuration and there is not an issue with the TOAD battery management system.

[va22973]

Many thanks to all for your most insightful input[emoji1474]

[winniman]

We had a wire added under the hood that we just pull out and plug in to the motorhome. It operates the car lights exactly the same as the motorhome. When not in use, it stores under the hood of the car. Had it done at a local garage for around 100 dollars.