Heavy duty flasher

[boomerzoomer]

If the local rv dealer would answer their phone I wouldn't ask this but... Just bought a Jeep Wrangler to tow with my 2000 minnie winnie. All signal lights are weak ince I made the connection. Any idea if i need a heavy duty flasher (if so, part number anyone) or where else do I look?

[l1v3fr33ord1]

boomerzoomer-

Here's the scoop.

Until the 2004 model year, Ford provided two connectors for the coach and trailer lights on the E-series chassis. The coach and trailer lights share the signals on those two connectors. For the 2004 model year and after, Ford provided a third connector, dedicated to the coach, leaving the original two connectors for the trailer.

Winnebago used the two connectors as Ford intended. There are wiring diagrams for your coach here. The one showing the trailer connector is here.

The wires that carry the signal are too small for both the coach and trailer lights; the voltage drop means very dim lights for the trailer, in particular. You have two options:

1) Replace the coach and toad bulbs with LEDs, and/or
2) install a "black box" for the trailer connector, with its own 12V connection to the coach battery

I did both for our former coach. If you need details, let me know.

<edit>I see the Winnebago diagrams refer to a Chevy chassis in addition to a Ford. In any case, the problem is the same: The coach and trailer lights share the same signals and wires, and they are too small.</edit>

[Santara]

not heavy duty ---variable load is what u want made for adding load

[boomerzoomer]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

boomerzoomer-

Here's the scoop.

Until the 2004 model year, Ford provided two connectors for the coach and trailer lights on the E-series chassis. The coach and trailer lights share the signals on those two connectors. For the 2004 model year and after, Ford provided a third connector, dedicated to the coach, leaving the original two connectors for the trailer.

Winnebago used the two connectors as Ford intended. There are wiring diagrams for your coach here. The one showing the trailer connector is here.

The wires that carry the signal are too small for both the coach and trailer lights; the voltage drop means very dim lights for the trailer, in particular. You have two options:

1) Replace the coach and toad bulbs with LEDs, and/or
2) install a "black box" for the trailer connector, with its own 12V connection to the coach battery

I did both for our former coach. If you need details, let me know.

<edit>I see the Winnebago diagrams refer to a Chevy chassis in addition to a Ford. In any case, the problem is the same: The coach and trailer lights share the same signals and wires, and they are too small.</edit>

Wow! Great answer. LED replacement is in order since I'm leaving today. Huge thanks!

[l1v3fr33ord1]

boomerzoomer-

File this info under "So now you tell me!"

LED turn signals require an LED-compatible flasher. The one in the coach likely is not LED-compatible; the one in the Jeep may be compatible.

If you replace the bulbs with LEDs and get "hyperflashing" (very rapid flashing), then you need to replace the flasher.

Here's a link to an LED-compatible flasher I purchased and installed on our former 1997 coach, built on a Ford E-450 SuperDuty chassis.

I elected to stay with the bulbs on our Honda Fit toad, because the flasher is part of the instrument cluster, and therefore difficult to replace. Therefore, on our former rig the coach and toad bulbs- tied together through the umbilical and wiring- were a mix of LED (coach) and incandescent (toad). This worked fine because the LED-compatible flasher in the coach can handle both types.

You may find that the LED replacements don't result in enough improvement, in which case the "black box" (or relay set) with its own 12V source is the next "fix."

The best way to test the whole thing is, at night, to connect coach and toad, turn on the coach tail lights, hit the hazard flashers, and then back up 100 to 150 feet. If you can't get enough visibility, you need something more than LED replacements.

[boomerzoomer]

Excellent response! Big ol thankya!

[wa8yxm]

"Heavy Duty" or Variable Load v's standard affects not how bright the lights are (Likely a grounding issue by the way) as it does the speed they flash, Wrong flasher they are either very slow or very fast.

HD's they always flash the same speed.