Evenbrake taillight setup for Subaru Outback

[murraymcleod]

The 2003 Itasca 27 MH I bought came with a Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain towbar and an Evenbrake unit, but nothing else to go on the toad. So I bought the correct cross-bar and base-plate attachments, and an Evenbrake second-car kit to install the necessary components on my 2012 Subaru Outback (manual transmission). I have a few questions about the Evenbrake installation though:

1. The kit came with some sort of tail-light relay for brake light control, but do I need to use this if I plan to just use magnetic lights on the back of the toad with a connection from the RV itself? (And the toad's brake lights DO come on when the peddle is pushed by foot or by Evenbrake, when key is in the towing position.)

2. And if I don't need this relay to be installed, can the Evenbrake transmitter be wired to a "cigarette-lighter" plug so it can be installed in the toad just when needed, rather than requiring permanent installation as described in the manual? When towing, I'd just attach the transmitter to the toad via Velcro, plug it in to 12v with that plug, and attach the Evenbrake unit and break-away switch cord, and go?

Thanks in advance for any help with these issues.

[enblethen]

According to the installation instructions, only hard wired item would be the brake away switch. It needs to be plugged into the brake unit.
It does not connect to any of the toad wiring, It is a separate wiring harness.

[murraymcleod]

From the link you supplied:
Do I need a Brake-Lite Relay?
You only need a Brake-Lite Relay if you’re installing a supplemental towed
vehicle braking system that pushes or pulls the brake pedal.
Exceptions –
• With the engine off step on your brakes. If the brake lights do not illuminate,
you do not need a Brake-Lite Relay.
• If you’re using magnetic tow lights or a bulb and socket wiring kit, you do not
need a Brake-Lite Relay.
• If your motorhome is wired for separate brake and turn signals and if your
towed vehicle is wired for separate brake and turn signals, you do not need a
Brake-Lite Relay.

It looks like I'm exempt from the relay based on the second bullet. So if I don't need the relay wired in, does the transmitter need to be hard-wired into the toad for any other reason?

[enblethen]

That is why you do not need the relay.
Brake lights from the toad will actuate via the Even brake. Turn signals and brake lights will operate from MH. You will have an additional set of brake lights.

[murraymcleod]

Not sure I understand, as I don't plan on having any brake-light connections between the MH and the toad...I will be using the Harbor Freight magnetic lights connected directly to the MH's light output.

[enblethen]

No, the relay is to prevent the toad brake lights from over riding the turn signal function from MH.
Brake lite relay
The brake unit must be wired to a hot circuit. Most lighters or power outlets are only energized with ignition switch turn to acc or on.