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Toad connection theroy

Yahoo Message Number: 70989
I have purchased a new Jeep.

My old wrangler tow arrangement was installed by Beaudry in 2008. Blue Ox and USGear brake. I was told that the MH was hooked up to charge the battery in the Jeep.
I have now discovered that an extra hole was drilled into the back of the tail light fixture and new independent bulbs were install and connected to the Coach wiring system.
My jeep always had a dead battery when I quit for the day and I believe someone here suggested disconnecting a fuse which killed the parasitic amp draw from what was on with the key in the accessory position. That works but the battery is constantly in need of cleaning (corrosion around the terminals) I have been told that is from over charging.
The Jeep dealership is struggling with the wiring arrangement and I don't have the answers.
The manual now says to disconnect the negative battery terminal when towing but that wouldn't that disable the brake mechanism.
Should we leave the charging circuit disconnected and just pull the fuse?

Do the taillights have to be separate bulbs?
Do I really need a brake or could the breakaway feature just be wired up?

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

John

PS For as many Jeeps as I see being pulled on the road the dealers seem to be woefully short on how to do it.

2007 Inspire 52028

Re: Toad connection theroy

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70993
Hi John,

We took our Chevy HHR toad to the local Uhaul store to have the wiring hooked up. They had a large variety of vehicles in there and knew exactly what to do. Might want to give a UHaul store in your area a call.

07 Allure 31501

Re: Toad connection theroy

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71009
I've just finished my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Blue Ox system and AirForce One; The extra bulbs wired into the taillights run off the Coach so power doesn't come from the Jeep for running lights, turn signals and brake lights. I can't speak for the US Gear, since Air Force One is progressive air braking linked to the coach, but the power draw should be very small for the US Gear application. You can check to see if you have a power hookup to the battery by tracing the wires in the plug. However in a standard 7 pin there is no power to charge a battery, like when towing a trailer. If you don't have a separate wire from the plug to the battery, you probably aren't getting power to the Jeep battery to charge. The tail lights don't have to be extra bulbs, but much better if setup that way to run the lights off the coach and coach power. As for the break-away, it is linked to the braking system being used and I don't know of a break away that works without a towed vehicle auxiliary braking system. Brake systems aren't required in every state, but it varies and for me, was a huge safety issue. Depending on your Jeep model, I can help you only with the Grand Cherokee; if so, let me know

Roger Harper

2006 Intrigue #11990

Re: Toad connection theroy

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71013
On my Air Force One system, one advantage of separate bulbs in the tail lights is you have two sources for brake lites. When the brake pedel is engaged (via AF1) and when the extra bulbs come on when the MH brake pedal is depressed via coach power to those extra bulbs. If one brake light system fails, the other should work. At least the guy behind you would know when you pressed the MH brake pedal. Not sure about US gear.

Larry, 03 Allure 30856

Re: Toad connection theroy

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71018
Hi John,I pull a `07 Jeep Cherokee.using the Blue Ox/Remco system. The Jeep Cherokee needs the bx8869 wiring kit which requires the addition of a separate bulb in the tail light. The additional bulb is powered by the coachs`power system. No need to leave the key on, so no dead battery. The entire installation is relatively straight forward and tech support is available. My information only goes to 2010,the2011 may be different, the Remco web site could answer any questions regarding new installations.

Jim`02 intrigue#11436

Re: Toad connection theroy

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71116
They ended up using a separate bulb. The battery charge wire is on a separate 2 wire plug, One is charge and the other is the brake manual control from the dash.

Thanks for the replies.

On my way to Moab to break in the new jeep. :)

John
 

toad connection

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71014
When we picked up our coach in Texas they told us to pull a fuse. We have a 2000 Silverado. We have never lost battery power.
Tom

2005 Inspire 51177