Diodes vs. Std Lights

Hank MI wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
Any manufacturers say you shouldn't tap into the tail lights with a diode setup?

I hear a lot of speculation on what might happen, maybe, if. Anybody actually had something bad happen?

why would a manufacturer put something like that into their owner's manual, etc.? lots of weird stuff folks could do and they have no reason to clutter up their literature with that kind of stuff.

bumpy

I don't know, why do they tell you what you need to do when recreational flat towing if the car is capable of it? If you do flat tow then obviously you'll need tail lights. Seems to me if they'll tell you to put the key in, turn to this position, put in neutral, pull this fuse, etc. why wouldn't they mention the use of diodes if it presented a potential problem?

-cut-

Because diodes aren't the only tail light solution. It is up to the operator of the tow vehicle to have security cables, breakaway, supplemental brakes, tail lights on the towed vehicle - as required by law. It's not the manufacturer's responsibility to tell you how to satisfy the towing laws in your state, or any state. If they did the towing section of the owners manual would be huge.

Simply put, because they are not required to provide any more than the bare minimum towing instructions (if required at all) - they don't.