Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue Ox
tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights for
the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake light
circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when the
SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the brake
lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.

Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
completely forgot to check this when I was there.

Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add any
comments to what my observations.


Thanks
Gardner
78FC33

Gardner,
You bring up a good point. I wondered about that too. I get around the
potential issue by using a light bar. I made up a tail light bar that is
inserted into the towed vehicle hitch receiver, and ran separate wiring
from the coach to that light bar. With the SMI unit I'll have stacked
brake lights at the rear of the toad...starting to look like Volvo tail
lights on the later Birds...

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue Ox
> tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
> the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights for
> the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake light
> circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when the
> SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the brake
> lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
>
> Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> completely forgot to check this when I was there.
>
> Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add any
> comments to what my observations.
>
> Thanks
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
>

Curt,
That is one issue I was contemplating. If I have a light bar, and the
toad brake lights are not in synch with the light bar, then it might get
confusing for someone behind me. If I use diodes then the toad lights would
be in synch with the RV and the confusion would be eliminated. However, I
still need to deal with the turn signals. So it looks like a combination of
separate turn signal lights and diode operated toad lights will be required.

Gardner
78FC33

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Curt Sprenger
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 10:42 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad wiring

Gardner,
You bring up a good point. I wondered about that too. I get around the
potential issue by using a light bar. I made up a tail light bar that is
inserted into the towed vehicle hitch receiver, and ran separate wiring
from the coach to that light bar. With the SMI unit I'll have stacked
brake lights at the rear of the toad...starting to look like Volvo tail
lights on the later Birds...

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue Ox
> tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
> the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights for
> the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake light
> circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when the
> SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the brake
> lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
>
> Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> completely forgot to check this when I was there.
>
> Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add any
> comments to what my observations.
>
> Thanks
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If you see light(s) ahead of you that go steady bright(er) red, that
means a slowing or braking vehicle. As long as the light bar lights are
at the legal height it should not be a problem...my thinking...and less
work for me.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.


Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> Curt,
> That is one issue I was contemplating. If I have a light bar, and the
> toad brake lights are not in synch with the light bar, then it might get
> confusing for someone behind me. If I use diodes then the toad lights
> would
> be in synch with the RV and the confusion would be eliminated. However, I
> still need to deal with the turn signals. So it looks like a
> combination of
> separate turn signal lights and diode operated toad lights will be
> required.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
>
>
>

The legal height for the light bar is? I am using magnetic mounted lights
on top of the Honda CRV presently for the same reason stated by Curt, less
work.



Steve Quandt

1993-PT40

Iron Mountain, MI



_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Curt Sprenger
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 10:23 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad wiring



If you see light(s) ahead of you that go steady bright(er) red, that
means a slowing or braking vehicle. As long as the light bar lights are
at the legal height it should not be a problem...my thinking...and less
work for me.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Gardner Yeaw wrote:

> Curt,
> That is one issue I was contemplating. If I have a light bar, and the
> toad brake lights are not in synch with the light bar, then it might get
> confusing for someone behind me. If I use diodes then the toad lights
> would
> be in synch with the RV and the confusion would be eliminated. However, I
> still need to deal with the turn signals. So it looks like a
> combination of
> separate turn signal lights and diode operated toad lights will be
> required.
>
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>
>
>
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Gardner, Curt,

We have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
Found the Cherokee tail light/stop light wires and
spliced in two DPDT switches, This method uses the existing Jeep
lights and sockets. Switches are UP for Bird towing, DOWN for Jeep
Driving. The Jeep tail lights are used for turn signals, hazards,
and stop lights. No need for diodes, But I must remember to throw
the manual switches. Easy to install.
I do not know if this works with the SMI.

Bill 88 FC Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue
Ox
> tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
> the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights
for
> the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake
light
> circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when
the
> SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the
brake
> lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
>
> Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> completely forgot to check this when I was there.
>
> Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add
any
> comments to what my observations.
>
>
> Thanks
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>

I judge the minimum height for my light bar tail lights by where the
California trailer manufactures are placing tail lights. As long as I
meet that minimum I should be fine.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.


smquandt wrote:

> The legal height for the light bar is? I am using magnetic mounted lights
> on top of the Honda CRV presently for the same reason stated by Curt, less
> work.
>
> Steve Quandt
>
> 1993-PT40
>
> Iron Mountain, MI
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> ] On Behalf Of Curt Sprenger
> Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2006 10:23 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad wiring
>
> If you see light(s) ahead of you that go steady bright(er) red, that
> means a slowing or braking vehicle. As long as the light bar lights are
> at the legal height it should not be a problem...my thinking...and less
> work for me.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
> Gardner Yeaw wrote:
>
> > Curt,
> > That is one issue I was contemplating. If I have a light bar, and the
> > toad brake lights are not in synch with the light bar, then it might get
> > confusing for someone behind me. If I use diodes then the toad lights
> > would
> > be in synch with the RV and the confusion would be eliminated.
> However, I
> > still need to deal with the turn signals. So it looks like a
> > combination of
> > separate turn signal lights and diode operated toad lights will be
> > required.
> >
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

Bill,
I like what you have done. Should work with any dual wiring.

Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.



pattypape wrote:

>
>
> Gardner, Curt,
>
> We have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
> Found the Cherokee tail light/stop light wires and
> spliced in two DPDT switches, This method uses the existing Jeep
> lights and sockets. Switches are UP for Bird towing, DOWN for Jeep
> Driving. The Jeep tail lights are used for turn signals, hazards,
> and stop lights. No need for diodes, But I must remember to throw
> the manual switches. Easy to install.
> I do not know if this works with the SMI.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> , "Gardner Yeaw"
> wrote:
> >
> > I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue
> Ox
> > tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
> > the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights
> for
> > the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake
> light
> > circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when
> the
> > SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the
> brake
> > lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> > lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
> >
> > Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> > brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> > completely forgot to check this when I was there.
> >
> > Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add
> any
> > comments to what my observations.
> >
> >
> > Thanks
> > Gardner
> > 78FC33
> >
>
>

Curt,

Yes, this works for us, simple, No light bar, no diodes.
Others have made holes into the tail light housings and installed an
additional double filement 1157 bulb and socket.
But there must be room in the housing.


Bill 88 FC Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
wrote:
>
> Bill,
> I like what you have done. Should work with any dual wiring.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
>
> pattypape wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Gardner, Curt,
> >
> > We have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
> > Found the Cherokee tail light/stop light wires and
> > spliced in two DPDT switches, This method uses the existing Jeep
> > lights and sockets. Switches are UP for Bird towing, DOWN for
Jeep
> > Driving. The Jeep tail lights are used for turn signals, hazards,
> > and stop lights. No need for diodes, But I must remember to throw
> > the manual switches. Easy to install.
> > I do not know if this works with the SMI.
> >
> > Bill 88 FC Michigan
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > , "Gardner Yeaw"

> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my
Blue
> > Ox
> > > tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the
wiring of
> > > the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate
lights
> > for
> > > the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake
> > light
> > > circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when
> > the
> > > SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the
> > brake
> > > lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> > > lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
> > >
> > > Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> > > brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> > > completely forgot to check this when I was there.
> > >
> > > Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add
> > any
> > > comments to what my observations.
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Gardner
> > > 78FC33
> > >
> >
> >
>

Bill,
I’m thinking that I could use relays instead of switches. That way when a
signal from the coach arrived, it would activate the relay and route the 12
volts to the tail light/brake light. The coach signal would be connected to
the relay coil and the normally open point of the relay. The toad light
would be connected to the common point, and the toad signal to the normally
closed point. So when the coach signal arrived it would energize the relay
and light the bulb. When no coach signal was present, the toad signal would
be connected by default.

Gardner
78FC33

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of pattypape
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 9:45 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Toad wiring



Gardner, Curt,

We have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
Found the Cherokee tail light/stop light wires and
spliced in two DPDT switches, This method uses the existing Jeep
lights and sockets. Switches are UP for Bird towing, DOWN for Jeep
Driving. The Jeep tail lights are used for turn signals, hazards,
and stop lights. No need for diodes, But I must remember to throw
the manual switches. Easy to install.
I do not know if this works with the SMI.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
, "Gardner Yeaw"
wrote:
>
> I have my SMI brake system installed, by Blue ox tow bar, my Blue
Ox
> tow bar base for my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Now to the wiring of
> the lights. It seems I have no choice but to use separate lights
for
> the turn signals since the SMI will activate the normal brake
light
> circuit in the toad, so I will not be able indicate a turn when
the
> SMI is active. I believe I will also need to use diodes at the
brake
> lights so the lights work with both the RV and the toad brake
> lighting without feeding back into either vehicle.
>
> Also, dumb question: Does the 78FC use the same lights for the
> brakes and turn signals? Mine is at the storage facility and I
> completely forgot to check this when I was there.
>
> Has anyone out there had experience with this and can you add
any
> comments to what my observations.
>
>
> Thanks
> Gardner
> 78FC33
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]