Good people abound!

We were barely 100 miles from home, headed to FL, when a nice man in an SUV pulled up alongside us, and over the sounds of the highway, yelled that our turn and brake lights weren't working on the 5th wheel - whaaaat???!!! Stunned, (because we had checked them only 2 weeks prior after discovering that mice had chewed our 110v power cord and were certain that everything running on 12v had worked properly), we pulled into the first rest area and checked things out. All I could figure was that in pulling the old power cord out of its compartment (which was shared with lots of 12v wiring) - I must have dislodged a wire. Or maybe we blew a fuse; or a relay died... We tried all the obvious things, to no avail.

While I admit the following was stupid - it worked: we continued on the expressway during daylight, with Ed using the (working) marker lights to alert following vehicle that we were slowing. We didn't get flipped off even once.... but I don't recommend this unless truly in a pinch.

We knew we needed those critical lights once we left the freeway; so we stayed at a Camping World RV park next door to a CW Superstore south of Valdosta, GA. (Very nice park and only $19.95/night FHU, by the way!) We checked all the fuses; looked at all the wiring we could see.... and then were first in line for service when Camping World opened in the morning.

This was our first experience using Camping World - and we were impressed! EVERYONE was exceptionally nice - they had us lined up at a service bay within minutes; and then the electrician who would be working on the trailer came out to talk to us. Since the 5er was there being worked on anyway, we added a Fantastic Fan in the bedroom - something we'd wanted since we bought the trailer. Our wonderful service writer, Yolanda, led us and the 2 dogs, to the customer lounge. Other service folks popped in from time to time, to let us know the progress of the repair.

Bottom line - I managed to pull taillight wiring loose up in the frame (where it couldn't be seen) as I yanked out the old power cord. It stung the pocketbook a bit, but at least we are legal plus have the F. Fan we wanted, and it was done without a prior appointment in under 3 hours. THAT kind of amazed me. I have no connection to CW other than being a Happy Camper :-)

Seeking Advice

Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2015
4x4van wrote:
nomad297 wrote:
Caveman Charlie wrote:
I just turn on the emergency flasher and walk behind the trailer to make sure they are working.

To check all of the lights with only one trip to the back of the trailer, turn on your headlights, put the parking brake on, put the transmission in reverse and turn on the flashers. Take a look and you're done.

Bruce

If you just want to verify that the trailer lights are hooked up to the tow vehicle correctly and not burned out then that works, but it won't tell you if all of the CIRCUITS are good on the tow vehicle. The only way to make sure that they are ALL WORKING is to actually check them all individually; right and left turn, brake, hazards, head/running/marker, backup.

It's a good idea to do this once and awhile but, I don't do it each time I hook up to my TT. It's rare for the brake lights to not work if the emergency flashers are working. Not Unheard Of but, rare. Same way with the turn signals. It can happen though and it's good to check, so if you want to go ahead. I just don't do it every time.
4x4van
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2015
nomad297 wrote:
Caveman Charlie wrote:
I just turn on the emergency flasher and walk behind the trailer to make sure they are working.

To check all of the lights with only one trip to the back of the trailer, turn on your headlights, put the parking brake on, put the transmission in reverse and turn on the flashers. Take a look and you're done.

Bruce

If you just want to verify that the trailer lights are hooked up to the tow vehicle correctly and not burned out then that works, but it won't tell you if all of the CIRCUITS are good on the tow vehicle. The only way to make sure that they are ALL WORKING is to actually check them all individually; right and left turn, brake, hazards, head/running/marker, backup.
Lauren
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
I also do that colliehauler. Each time before pulling out.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Dec 31, 2014
In 2003 I bought a new TT. I left on a long trip at 3am. Around Salina a Highway patrol started following me for quite a few miles then turned off. I had to use a rest area around Junction City. When I got out I seen that I had a taillight out on a new TT.

Since then I always check them after hooking up. I do a walk around as well just looking at tires hitch ect.
Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2014
I don't have back up lights on my TT and I don't care of they work on my vehicles or not. I admit they are handy but, I've lived without them. On my first car they were a option that it did not have.
2112
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2014
Good Post. Thanks

I read a lot of CW flaming here but I have had nothing but good experiences with CW in Katy Tx. It makes me wonder where the real problem lies.
BennieH
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
My copilot takes care of checking the lights. First she turns on the headlights and checks everything. Next the four way flashers and then she waits for me to hit the brakes. If anything is not working, I am informed! She has caught a faulty connector and lamps that were bad.
This will happen at every fuel and rest stop.
nomad297
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Deb and Ed M wrote:
davidaf wrote:
nomad297 wrote:

To check all of the lights with only one trip to the back of the trailer, turn on your headlights, put the parking brake on, put the transmission in reverse and turn on the flashers. Take a look and you're done.

Bruce

I've never been in a park with a Ferrari and a Prevost but the day I try this they would be parked right behind me and you know what would happen next. Murphy's Law.

LOL!!!! That thought ran through my head, too!! I can get into enough trouble on my own, without inviting it :-)

See post above.

Bruce
nomad297
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Lauren wrote:
Hate to disagree with nomad297 but leaving a vehicle in gear and leaving it, even with parking brake on, is not real smart. How about just have another person stand behind and let you know.

Your vehicle doesn't need to be running to do this. Just turn the key to the position before start. I don't know if you could do it safely with the vehicles that use a start button though.

Bruce
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 31, 2014
I use an easier method... For the motor towed I use headlights and 4 ways

For the back up lights I use the toad's windshield and the rear view camera.. That way the Prevost and it's towed Lamborghini behind me are in no danger :)/