Magnetic tow lights

et2 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I wondered about the wireless ones. It sounds like it might be worth looking into. I'm definitely not splicing into the cars wiring. Way too many electronics on this car. Not taking a chance.

You won't regret it. Home Depot even carries them and they are listed on their website!

Thanks for all the replies. I wondered about the wireless ones. It sounds like it might be worth looking into. I'm definitely not splicing into the cars wiring. Way too many electronics on this car. Not taking a chance.

Moved from class A forum

:B...SOME people cant get extension hoses for their air shocks / air bags in the rear either.

Some talk like its an easy thing to wire the toad.....guess they never worked on a Jeep before....:S

Wrong Lane wrote:
...I stand the lights inside the car on the shelf between the rear window and the back seat (you know, where you used to lay down to look out the back window when you were a kid)

A small piece of self adhesive velcro on the bottom of each light keeps them standing and in place. They are out of the weather, secure inside the vehicle and no danger of one falling off on a big bump.

X2 on this, this is what I do, using cheap, wired magnetic lights.

Lights never have to be removed, stay right where they are on that back shelf INSIDE the vehicle (where they can't scratch any paint). I didn't have to touch hardly ANY of the vehicle's taillight wiring, and entire thing can be taken out (and moved to a new vehicle one day) in a matter of minutes. And, costs less than $30.

Never have liked the idea of spending $70+ on a special kit to wire into taillights of a vehicle, only to have to spend that $$ all over again and do that installation all over again every time you trade vehicles.

As to where to run the wires: I ran the 'colorful' 4 wires underneath car along frame, then brought it up inside the trunk. From inside the trunk, wire comes out at top of back seats right where light is, so its barely visible. Works great.

Whatever you decide to go with, do not EVER run wires for magnetic lights across a painted surface (roof, hood, or sides)! Soon as you get up to speed, the wire vibrating, flapping in the wind will scratch your paint up but good. Route it under the hood, through the inside, whatever you have to do to keep it off painted surfaces. 'Twas one lesson I learned the hard, expensive way. After several detailing jobs including a 'wet sanding' procedure, the scratches on our toad are finally gone from that 'lesson'. :)

I agree with moparmaga2!!!

Tried magnetic lights when we first started towing back in 2009. It was the wife's brand new car. We now have two very scratched spots on the back trunk:o! Told the dw that Ford uses cheap paint:R. Folks said to try Saran Wrap between the finish and the magnetics, but didn't help. We no longer use magnetic towing lights:W!

I use the mag lights to help others see my toad, maybe they won't run into it. That's the only reason I use them.

Seems to me that in the time everyone spends rigging up magnetic tow lights so the wires won't scratch the paint, the magnetic tow lights don't blow off in the wind, figuring out a place where to snake ugly colored wiring out of the trunk, back hatch, etc so shutting the trunk/hatch does not cut the wires, etc takes longer and looks uglier than just doing it the "right way."

Either drill out the taillights to put a bulb or splice into the taillight wiring with a diode. Run the wire through the frame. 1 hr and you are done.

Ta da! No ugly wiring showing or scratching paint, no taking on and off magnetic tow lights at every stop, no worrying about if the magnetic tow lights are going to make it through the 50 mph wind you are driving through, no worrying about going into a parking garage with magnetic tow lights on your SUV and wacking them off or a tree branch taking them off when off road, etc.

I have personally done a Honda CRV (not mine), a Jeep Wrangler, and now a Ram 1500. I did diode wiring on them all. The process it all the same on each, just have to figure out how to get the tail lights off on each.


Fix it right the first time, and you won't have any problems. I have enough to worry about. My 2 cents.

dbates wrote:
Even though most states don't require toad lights when pulling on a dolly I use the magnetic lights if I have to drive after dusk. I run the wire under the toad hood, in through the front door and out the rear or back door. I also wired in a license plate light. The 2nd picture is a homemade double connection for the wiring harness.

 

I don't know that this is an accurate statement of the law, but I do think the law isn't well enforced. I did some research on this out of curiosity and although I couldn't find a single law that specifically covers lights on a vehicle on a dolly, I think interpreting the letter of the law would likely require them, probably in every state. Basically equipment laws will state that you need taillights at the "rear" of your vehicle or combination of vehicles. Then states will have laws about how far things can stick over behind the rear of the vehicle. The way I read these laws, the lights that are on a standard tow dolly are not at the "rear" of the vehicle and therefore don't comply with the law. Now I know people are going to jump on and say they've been towing for years with no problem, I'm just saying this is what the actual law says.

X2 on the wireless magnetic lights with a slight modification.

I stand the lights inside the car on the shelf between the rear window and the back seat (you know, where you used to lay down to look out the back window when you were a kid)

A small piece of self adhesive velcro on the bottom of each light keeps them standing and in place. They are out of the weather, secure inside the vehicle and no danger of one falling off on a big bump.

The wireless lights are about the same cost as a diode kit with the advantage that you don't have to hack into your new car wiring.