| Toad Wiring Options [message #271243] |
Thu, 05 February 2015 18:39  |
larry.whisler
Messages: 356
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 8
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Senior Member |
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We recently purchased a 2001 Chevy Tracker to tow with the
GMC.
I have the Blaine M. trailer hitch on the coach and have ordered
the base plate for the tracker and plan to buy a blue ox towbar.
There are some options as to how to wire the toad up to pull and
was wondering what the GMC community has used.
It seems that the universal kits require drilling a hole in the
inside of the tail light housing and installing a bulb.
Has anyone connected the toad wiring directly to the existing wiring
and used the factory tail lights and stop lights?
I have the 7 prong RV connector on the coach and am planning to
wire the toad to connect to it.
thanks
larry
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toad Wiring Options [message #271266 is a reply to message #271255] |
Thu, 05 February 2015 22:31  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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diodes only drop .5 volts
cannot see the difference
erf
On Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at 6:24 PM, Jerry Wheeler wrote:
> Used the diodes on my 96 Sidekick, but am not satisfied with the light
> intensity after towing to the Oregon coast and back 4 times and to Nova
> Scotia and back 2 years ago. Going to tow it to the Oregon coast this May
> (and back in October); thinking about putting some LED's behind the
> toad's rear taillight lens.
> JR Wheeler 78 Royale NC/OR
>
> On Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at 8:45 PM, gene Fisher wrote:
>
>> read here
>> http://gmcmotorhome.info/toad.html#WIRING
>>
>> and here
>> http://gmcmotorhome.info/toad.html
>> erf
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at 4:39 PM, larry.whisler >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> We recently purchased a 2001 Chevy Tracker to tow with the
>>> GMC.
>>>
>>> I have the Blaine M. trailer hitch on the coach and have ordered
>>> the base plate for the tracker and plan to buy a blue ox towbar.
>>>
>>> There are some options as to how to wire the toad up to pull and
>>> was wondering what the GMC community has used.
>>>
>>> It seems that the universal kits require drilling a hole in the
>>> inside of the tail light housing and installing a bulb.
>>>
>>> Has anyone connected the toad wiring directly to the existing wiring
>>> and used the factory tail lights and stop lights?
>>>
>>> I have the 7 prong RV connector on the coach and am planning to
>>> wire the toad to connect to it.
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> larry
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
>> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
>> -------
>> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
>> Alternator Protection Cable
>> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Toad Wiring Options [message #271281 is a reply to message #271271] |
Fri, 06 February 2015 02:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The problem with any incandescent (OEM type) bulbs is the current they draw and the voltage loss with the current draw. By the time you get to the lights on the rear of a towed you have run through probably 40 feet of wire (one way). Then add to that any additional loss through connections plus .7 volts if you use isolation diodes, and the voltage loss and light brilliance mounts up significantly.
I had similar problems on my 2 axle trailer for years. When I re-decked and repainted it, I changed all of my trailer lighting to LEDs normally used on semi-trailers. The LEDs draw much, much less current (I believe it is around 10%) and therefor have much less voltage drop. They stay bright all the time.
So If you are installing new (additional) bulbs I would seriously look at an LED Solution.
BTW, All LEDs sold for automotive use and not the same. I have tried some that were really poor. So whatever you choose, before installing, try them first before you go through the work of installing them.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Toad Wiring Options [message #271301 is a reply to message #271243] |
Fri, 06 February 2015 11:47 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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The PO of our Tracker used diodes and they seem to work fine. The only issue I have ever had is that one of the spade terminals slipped off and I had to re-connect it (and tighten it up). No big deal. I haven't really noticed any deterioration of the light quality either, the tail lights are still nice and bright.
http://etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wiring/Hopkins/38955.html
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Toad Wiring Options [message #271309 is a reply to message #271306] |
Fri, 06 February 2015 14:51 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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larry.whisler wrote on Fri, 06 February 2015 13:46
Thanks to all on the wiring responses.
And I need some clarification on the wiring.
The 2001 Tracker is set up with Amber turn signals and
Red brake lights on separate circuits.
Is the usual way to wire these to the red brake light
bulbs utilizing the diodes?
thanks again
Larry
Yes, unless you are using a brake buddy, or similar device, that pushes on the brake pedal. If the toad brake pedal is pushed BOTH rear red lights will come on. This overrides the turn signal input from the coach.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Toad Wiring Options [message #271332 is a reply to message #271309] |
Fri, 06 February 2015 22:42 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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You probably already know this.
On your toad both rear brake lights are wired together. If you put power on one, the other one will come on. On your coach the rear brake lights are wired together separately. Each bulb is on a separate wire in order to make the turn signals work. If you extend those two coach turn signal / brake wires to the toad, you will need the diode blocks to isolate the toad brake lights from each other.
This is one reason that I like the idea of inserting a separate LED bulb in the same tail light or in a new tail light.
I do not regularly tow a vehicle. So I just stick a magnetic set of lights on the roof, rear bumper, or sides when I tow one. I have a similar set of magnetic lights that I stick on the back of my motorcycle carrier when I carry a motorcycle on the back of my GMC. This is just another approach.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Toad Wiring Options [message #271339 is a reply to message #271332] |
Sat, 07 February 2015 05:07 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
Just to add to what Ken (and others) have said. The brake lights on your Tracker are wired to each other AND they are wired to the high mounted center stop light. If your Tracker is wired like my (slightly older) Sidekicks, and you "tap in" at the left rear tail light, You'll have the center brake light blinking with the right tail light. Not something I would accept, but the PO's of my 1st Sidekick thought was fine.
You can use diodes behind each tail light and get the brake lights to work correctly... as long as the brakes on the Tracker are not applied. Pretty much rules out towd brakes.
On my Sidekicks I change the yellow blinked tail lights to 1st Gen Tracker (all red) light I then use the blinker bulbs for towing, tapping in under the hood. I do not use diodes as I find the voltage drop makes the lights on the towd to dim. I use a double pole, double throw (DPDT) switch labelled "normal" and "towd."
<https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/switch-basics/poles-and-throws-open-and-closed>
The down side is that I have to remember to flip the switch when connecting or disconnecting.
With all the issues of tapping into the actual wiring of your towd, you can see why so many just add "extra" lights or install extra bulbs in the existing lights.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toad Wiring Options [message #271343 is a reply to message #271309] |
Sat, 07 February 2015 06:26 |
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True. If you have a braking system in the tow with something like a Blue
Ox Patriot or Brake Buddy, the stop lights will come on IF the braking
system engages. Not every stop will activate the system. The Blue Ox
will activate in more of a panic situation rather than a more typical
stop. For that reason something wired with the motorhome's lighting is
better.
We have separate lights wired with the Accord we tow. They work for
braking and turn signal. However, the next time around (trading cars)
I'm thinking of a light bar.
Byron Songer
Kissimmee, FL
On 2015-02-06 15:51, Steve Southworth wrote:
> larry.whisler wrote on Fri, 06 February 2015 13:46
>> Thanks to all on the wiring responses.
>>
>> And I need some clarification on the wiring.
>>
>> The 2001 Tracker is set up with Amber turn signals and
>> Red brake lights on separate circuits.
>>
>> Is the usual way to wire these to the red brake light
>> bulbs utilizing the diodes?
>>
>> thanks again
>> Larry
>
>
> Yes, unless you are using a brake buddy, or similar device, that
> pushes on the brake pedal. If the toad brake pedal is pushed BOTH
> rear red lights
> will come on. This overrides the turn signal input from the coach.
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toad Wiring Options [message #271349 is a reply to message #271346] |
Sat, 07 February 2015 09:35 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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There are a number of ways to put lights on your towed as you have seen in the number of email posted. The first 2 toads that we pulled I used the diodes in the rear using the tail light bulbs.
http://roadmasterinc.com/pdf/newseptowtosepmotor.pdf
First was a GEO Tracker 1992 2 door convertible and the second was a 2002 Tracker 4dr, 4wd. Added secondary braking on the 2002 because of state requirements. The option of putting an extra 1157 in the tail light also works well if you have the space to get the bulb and socket into the housing. The new cars today have lot less room and use small bulbs. Our 2009 Honda FIT, which by the way was a great toad did not have the space to get a bulb assembly into the taillight assembly, at least I couldn’t. I put lights that used magnets to hold them on the roof and that worked well. Replace the FIT with a Honda CR-V and it is a similar situation with light housings, no real space. With the 2 last cars I used auxiliary braking, I have a Tow V Aire system which activates the brake lights when it pushes on the brake pedal. It give you all the lights at one time. This is just what I have done over the years with success and what you do is your choice. Good Luck!
Extra thought here, the cost of using the diodes or the wireless type lights is not that far apart if you buy locally, but cheaper on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/wireless-tail-lights
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roadmaster-Universal-Tail-light-Wiring-Kit-W-4-Diodes-for-towing-dingy-car-RM154-/231463398018?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Par ts_Accessories&hash=item35e44b2a82&vxp=mtr
or
http://tinyurl.com/pvupck7
J.R. Wright
30' Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Location in Tucson
> On Feb 7, 2015, at 6:16 AM, Larry wrote:
>
> IIRC, Steve Ferguson is using a wireless system on his towd. I think he really likes it. I do not know anything about it, but might be worth looking
> into. No wires to run, no line loss...etc., etc.
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
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