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a64armt's avatar
a64armt
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013

5th wheel / trailer amber side marker turn signals

This evening the family and I were driving down the interstate and as we were passing a 5th wheel, the 5th wheel owner turned his left signal on so he could make a lane change to pass a slower vehicle. I was already beside the RV and with a line of cars behind me, I slowed down to let him get around the slower truck. Before someone jumps to conclusion, he didn't start pulling out prematurely. :)

However, I noticed that the amber side marker lights did not act as turn signals and there were no side turn signals on the 5th wheel that I could see. I know that most trailers use the same signal wire for the rear turn signal and brake lights, our previous boat trailer was this way, and I never gave much thought to a side turn signal.

The little encounter this evening made me think about it.

Do any Travel Trailer, 5th wheel or other trailers have amber side markers that also function as turn signals? Given the limited 4 wire configuration of most private or recreational tow vehicles, including 7 way plugs, it seems to reason that amber turn signals would require a unique controller or converter of sorts to allow the amber lights to function as turn signals, yet not come on during brake lights.



Can anyone confirm that any towed RV’s have amber side turn signals? Is there a way to retrofit an RV for such? I have to admit I never gave it much thought. I have seen amber side marker turn signals on commercial trucks, but can't say for sure if they are on recreational or smaller trailers.

Thoughts?

OJ

22 Replies

  • donn0128 wrote:
    Not from the factory. The clearance lights are single element bulbs. To make them turn signals also you would have to do some serious wiring and change the sockets and bulbs.
    Not so serious wiring really Donn.
    All it would take would be to disconnect the ground from each side marker and connect that wire to the brake/turn signal wire.
    Daytime, the parking lights would act as a ground for the side marker, so it would flash in sync with the turn signals.
    Night-time, the brake/turn signal would act as ground so the side marker would be lit UNTIL the turn signal/brake was in operation at which time the side marker would go out.
    So, the side marker would flash on when the turn signal was off and vice-versa.
    The downside? It WOULD mean the side marker would go out when the brakes were applied.
    If this is NOT OK, then yes, a major refit would be required, probably meaning the installation of new dual filament side marker lamps and two additional feeds from the tow vehicle turn signals (or an electronic converter to operate them from the existing circuits).
  • Not from the factory. The clearance lights are single element bulbs. To make them turn signals also you would have to do some serious wiring and change the sockets and bulbs.