Toad Lights

[RV_BUDDY_MIKE]

I am still attempting to get everything together mostly in my thinking of all I need for the 2013 Chevrolet pickup toad. What are the best tow lights to use? I am a little lazy and all I'd really like to do is plug 'em in when I get ready to tow. Mike

[RJsfishin]

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.

[travisc]

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.

[DSDP_Don]

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.

[sch911]

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.

[hilldude]

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.

[Bobbo]

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.

[klutchdust]

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.

[j-d]

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.

[BTPO1]

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

[sch911]

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!

[traveylin]

I installed a trailer light package with the rear tail lights drilled through the bumper. The wire harness is tied out in front of the front grill. It was important to me to have a system I understand and can trouble shoot on the spot. Diode systems do work but that was not taught in Elect engr in 1967

[enblethen]

I ran a four conductor under my toad and connected to existing toads light system with the use of diodes. I used cable ties to support it along the toad's brake lines. Use a five foot cord between a connector on front of toad to MH. It is a flat four connector on both ends.
Here is some information.
Wiring info
You would need identify your MH as to whether it has amber turn signals or utilizes red brake and turn signals.
Same for the pickup. Verify whether it has amber turn signals or combined brake and turn signals.

[Hank85713]

I gotthe ones that are installed in the light system from camp world when they did my baseplate install. I imagine you could DIY if you wanted. I only paid $30 for the install and I think the lights were around $100? Anyhow real simple would be to just add the mag mount lights and run a siumple cable, but again you will have to run each and every time or just leave in place IF you have a good solid place to mount them. You could also just by some drill into the bumper and run the plug to the rv, just have to hard hookup out of way.

But easiest way is to have whoever is going to do the work to wire in the light kit when they do the brake and basemount or whatever you plan on. Dont forget to have them wire in a CHARGE LINE for the battery also.