Toad Lights

1 1/8" holesaw, drill a hole in the tailite fixture, pop in a 1157 socket from Napa, run 3 wire to front, 4 wire plug at the front bumper, Done !

Now if only the brakes were that easy. We can go to the moon and back, but we can't make a decent brake system for a toad.

I found that a mix of diodes and a trailer towing harness- yes a towing harness- I just cut the towing portion out and used it for the factory plugs and wired it to the diodes so if I have a problem- I just take the plugs out and my factory harness is still in place.

On my Silverado, I decided not to cut into the wiring with diodes as I had done on previous trucks. One of the reasons for this....if your vehicle taillights (dual filament brake and turn signal bulb) come on when the towed is turned off and you step on the brakes, you'll have an issue when turning and braking. When you come to a stop, with your turn signal on, the brake light will override the turn signal when using diodes.

On my Silverado, I went to AutoZone and bought the new flat taillight sockets and bulbs. They are smaller and are easier to fit into the lens. I used a dremel to cut the rectangular opening.

This system makes life easy....no cutting into wires, no drain on the towed battery, no magnetic lights to put on and take off (get stolen) and fool proof operation.

Bobbo wrote:
Easiest to use, and to install, install diodes into your vehicle's tail lights. Just as easy to use, and only a little harder to install, drill holes in the tail light fixtures and add a separate bulb socket.

Hardest to use, magnetic lights or lights on a tube that you put in vehicle's trailer hitch.

My experience says you have that backwards. Have used all three methods on different vehicles over the years. I no prefer these ultra light LED magnetic lights. Take about 2 minutes to run the wires from the MH thru the toad to the back. I also carry three bikes on the back of the toad which mostly block the toads lights anyway. The mag lights go on the roof of the SUV.

I use the bulb installed in tail light.Easy and fool prof.Go to blue ox down load, installation base plate instructions for your tow.They include best place to install bulb.

Easiest to use, and to install, install diodes into your vehicle's tail lights. Just as easy to use, and only a little harder to install, drill holes in the tail light fixtures and add a separate bulb socket.

Hardest to use, magnetic lights or lights on a tube that you put in vehicle's trailer hitch.

j-d wrote:
I added a pair of these $15 Maxxima LED Stop/Turn/Tail lamps. They're mounted on home made aluminum brackets from a old sign. There's also a version of the same lamp with a 3M adhesive for no-hole surface mounting. Ran four-wire "boat trailer" cable and flat plug along brake lines to the front

Part number is Maxxima 42206R available on Amazon.

They offer a whole kit at HF. Including the wire and connectors.

I added a pair of these $15 Maxxima LED Stop/Turn/Tail lamps. They're mounted on home made aluminum brackets from a old sign. There's also a version of the same lamp with a 3M adhesive for no-hole surface mounting. Ran four-wire "boat trailer" cable and flat plug along brake lines to the front

Part number is Maxxima 42206R available on Amazon.

sch911 wrote:
This is what I use...
I don't like having to splice in diodes, or new bulb sockets.
And, these baby's are LED's!

I also use magnetic lights at the present time, but they do scratch the paint. I want to change and go with the diode method. I just need to get around to doing it. JMO

This is what I use...
I don't like having to splice in diodes, or new bulb sockets.
And, these baby's are LED's!