Installing Blue Ox tow plates

FC wrote:
For lighting in each of our G-6 we used the Blue Ox lighting kit where there are extra bulbs installed in the gm lenses. No connection to the original gm electrical system.I think the kit was about $90.
Great combo.

I used this kit as well. Not hard to install. Running the cable to the front of the towed was probably the most time consuming part of it. Roadmaster sells a similar kit. I've seen it available at most Camping World locations.

The kit merely consists of two bulb sockets which are easily installed into the existing vehicle tail lights (a hole must be drilled in the back of each tail light) connected to a length of four conductor cable terminated at one end with a typical trailer flat plug which gets ran to the front and will plug into the MH when being towed. While under tow, the additional lights installed in the tail light assemblies become trailer lights for your towed vehicle.

Wrong Lane wrote:
Instead of mounting the magnetic lights outside your vehicle, on your trunk lid, stand the lights up on the upholstered deck between the back seat and the rear window. That way they are safe inside the car.

Use a strip of velcro on the bottom of the lights and this will keep them from tipping over. The velcro will stick to the upholstered deck material.

The lights are perfectly visible from behind and in addition your toads brake lights still work as well. No hacking into your cars electric system, no pesky wires to run that might damage your paint, really no downside at all.

Yes, this is exactly what I did with our Ford Fusion (after learning the hard way about wires on the outside, haha). Works great.

I'm curious about the wireless magnetic tow lights you're talking about? Only thing I've seen like that are the wireless light bars that cost a fortune, and have batteries you'd have to recharge after every trip. Would be cool if they'd make a set that you could just plug or wire into 12V with your vehicle, so you wouldn't have to deal with batteries.

dieharder wrote:
I use the HF cheapies on my HHR with no problem.

Same here....use them on my Liberty

For lighting in each of our G-6 we used the Blue Ox lighting kit where there are extra bulbs installed in the gm lenses. No connection to the original gm electrical system.I think the kit was about $90.
Great combo.

if you have a roof rack, you can use magnetic lights and get 2 velcro straps and wrap around the light base at the neck and loop it back as a safety net. I lossed 2 in SC on the interstate dragging the road at 65 mph, 1 time in about 4 yrs not bad though.

mrlightrail wrote:
Just bought a tow plate assy for my 07 Pontiac G6, looking for someone in OK to install it under 500.00. That's what I'm getting quoted, which seems high.

I had U-Haul install mine and was very impressed witht he installation and the price, under $500.00 for the installation.

There are wireless magnetic tow lights available as well. I have them.

Instead of mounting the magnetic lights outside your vehicle, on your trunk lid, stand the lights up on the upholstered deck between the back seat and the rear window. That way they are safe inside the car.

Use a strip of velcro on the bottom of the lights and this will keep them from tipping over. The velcro will stick to the upholstered deck material.

The lights are perfectly visible from behind and in addition your toads brake lights still work as well. No hacking into your cars electric system, no pesky wires to run that might damage your paint, really no downside at all.

Safe Travels!!

jerseyjim wrote:
Yeah...with my magnetic lights, one of them did fall off (into the bed of the pickup)first or second time using them.
I figured it out. 2 things:
1- make sure the surface where you mount them is FLAT. NO curves or radius.
2- WIPE BOTH surfaces with your hands...ANY kind of dirt will affect the security of the mounting.

After doing this...never had a problem. FWIW.

..One more thing to add to this, concerning magnetic lights:

3- NEVER, EVER run the wires going to the magnetic lights across any painted surface (hood, roof, side, etc) of your toad!! At speed, the wire will vibrate, resulting in bad scratches in the paint (don't ask me how I know this, haha). Run the wires underneath, through inside, under the hood, whatever. Just NOT across any painted surface.

I made this mistake exactly ONCE. After 3 detailing jobs including 'wet sanding' procedures...The scratches are finally gone.

mrlightrail wrote:
I'm disabled, and no longer able to work on the car. Most places quote me 4 hrs labor, which comes to around 500.00. After paying 400 for the tow plate, 300 for the tow bar, I'm pretty much tapped.

I haven't seen anyone mention the additional $800-$1000 for a supplemental brake system for the toad.

Yeah...with my magnetic lights, one of them did fall off (into the bed of the pickup)first or second time using them.
I figured it out. 2 things:
1- make sure the surface where you mount them is FLAT. NO curves or radius.
2- WIPE BOTH surfaces with your hands...ANY kind of dirt will affect the security of the mounting.

After doing this...never had a problem. FWIW.