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Tow Wiring Question

Yahoo Message Number: 105619
I'm a relatively new owner of a 2007 CC Intrigue. I set up both vehicles to two 4 down, deciding which vehicle to take depending on where we are going. In setting up the wiring I used a wire harness clip in kit for my F150 and a separate bulb and socket kit for the Toyota. That way both vehicles have a "B" side Towboard connection. There were a number of wiring/ground issues that I eventually solved. Once I had brake lights and turn signals working I noted that the "running" lights (the dim red lighting on brake lights) didn't work. The lighting kits for the Toads (Hopkins) were 4 wire, with a separate wire (Yellow/Green) for each turn signa l and a common brake wire. The Coach outputs were L/R Turn signal; Brake and a separate output for running lights. In order to get a "runnning light" function working I jumpered from the running light pin to the brake light pin in the coach side of the Toad Umbilical. Thus, when the coach headlights are on the toad brake lights come on at low power, but when the brakes are applied in the coach the toad brake lights flare to a brighter setting.
Questions:
1.) WIll this somehow "hurt" the electrical system of the coach or the toad? The FJ Cruiser system is completely independent of the vehicle system so I'm not really concerned about that, but the F150 system is integrated.
2.) Diodes - I do not have diodes installed, but am rethinking that strategy (and then wiring in more of the clearance lights on the FJ and the F150).

I could theoretically get a 7 wire Umbillical and wire a separate circuit from the coach Running Lights pin to all of the running lights on the toads, but that seems like an awful lot of work.

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105622
Hi Jim,

I used diodes on my Toyota pickup. I purchased them at Radio Shack and installed them after the switches (brake light, running light and turn signal switches). I only needed four.
Bill

2003 Intrigue 11514

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105624
Jim,

Having a hard time understanding what you're saying exactly but I'll noddle thru and see if I can help...

I've only wired up a couple hundred towcars and every once and awhile have weirdness... But starting with the basics you need to have the brake and turn signals combined for the individual sides. In other words left turn & brake / right turn & brake. If your coach has them separated you'll need to either install a relay kit or a tail light converter. That will combine turn's with the brake for each side.

SO leaving the coach you will have 4 wire's, Left turn/brake, Right turn/brake, Marker & Ground.

On the F150 I'm not sure what you've done exactly but sounds like you need a diode kit. You definitely don't want the ability to backfeed!

Look on some of the web sites such as blue ox & roadmaster for wiring schematics.

Hopefully this helps some...

Safe Travels,

Jim Lewis

Infinity Coach

From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 4:59 AM To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Tow Wiring Question

I'm a relatively new owner of a 2007 CC Intrigue. I set up both vehicles to two 4 down, deciding which vehicle to take depending on where we are going. In setting up the wiring I used a wire harness clip in kit for my F150 and a separate bulb and socket kit for the Toyota. That way both vehicles have a "B" side Towboard connection. There were a number of wiring/ground issues that I eventually solved. Once I had brake lights and turn signals working I noted that the "running" lights (the dim red lighting on brake lights) didn't work. The lighting kits for the Toads (Hopkins) were 4 wire, with a separate wire (Yellow/Green) for each turn signa l and a common brake wire. The Coach outputs were L/R Turn signal; Brake and a separate output for running lights. In order to get a "runnning light" function working I jumpered from the running light pin to the brake light pin in the coach side of the Toad Umbilical. Thus, when the coach headlights are on the toad brake lights come on at low power, but when the brakes are applied in the coach the toad brake lights flare to a brighter setting.

Questions: 
1.) WIll this somehow "hurt" the electrical system of the coach or the toad? The FJ Cruiser system is completely independent of the vehicle system so I'm not really concerned about that, but the F150 system is integrated.

2.) Diodes - I do not have diodes installed, but am rethinking that strategy (and then wiring in more of the clearance lights on the FJ and the F150).

I could theoretically get a 7 wire Umbillical and wire a separate circuit from the coach Running Lights pin to all of the running lights on the toads, but that seems like an awful lot of work.

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.

Airforce 1 Brake system

Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105629
Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105634
Jim,

Yes I agree it is weird, but I call it laziness... What trailer other than a specialty one has separate turn and brake? You need to EITHER install a trailer converter OR a relay combiner. You need to have the brake & turn combined for normal wiring operation. Now none of means you can't do it your way, but if you decide to tow anything else it won't be wired normal. It's no different a lot of older vehicles when they first started separating the turn into a separate Yellow lensed, we used to call that European wiring....

No big deal just wire in either of your choice (I prefer relays) and tow away! Or do it your way, just don't want to backfeed into your toad and chance hurting it's electronics!

Jim Lewis

From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 10:59 AM To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Tow Wiring Question

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.

Airforce 1 Brake system

Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105671
I'm going to look into Diodes and wire them in.

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105677
Hi Jim,

Over the years I myself have always had problems with all the tow wiring kits with Diodes and such installed by others of myself. I have found that Diodes are not the most dependable components to deal with even in simple applications as this is. In frustration I just decided to make things simple, and keep tow car lights as an independent extension of you coach lighting circuit. First I identified each wire for the light circuit in the most convenient place near the Coach Lights and an used a T-Tap Crimp connector. On my Ford Pick-up, I removed that using the 4 mounting screws and drilled the appropriate size hole in the back light housing for a universal light socket. available at any parts store. I solder a ground wire on the housing then ran 2 wire, covered Marine grade wire to the front Remco 4 Hole connector. I used outdoor rubberized tape on the crimp connectors.

This makes your tow lights separate part of the coach and has always been trouble free. I have learned from many others that they prefer this method and have also never had a problem. No interfacing of two different electrical systems. It is the way you would do it on a simple trailer connection. No electric brake. Not sure what changes are required with Air Force ONE, other than a new passenger !

Chris

03 Magna 42 #6269

Blue Ox and M&G Braking System

From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com  on behalf of Jim Seifert jim.jona.seifert@... [Country-Coach-Owners] Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 10:58 AM To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Tow Wiring Question

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105679
I also, have a completely separate circuit for the lights on the toad. I removed both tail light assemblies from my 2007 Silverado and added another socket and bulb to the unit. The wiring from the front socket runs directly to the new bulbs. The OEM brake lights will still come on if my RV Brake applies the brake pedal in the truck.

Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836 
www.cojobluegrass.com

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105680
When we bought the new CR-V in 2013 in Bend Oregon. I called OMC and they said Hitch Pro tow was the best. They are on the West side of Eugene. The day of the scheduled appointment someone cancelled and I had 2 techs work on the SUV. One installed the tow plate etc with the aux cut off switch. And the other wired up the electrical harness and tail lights with Diodes. It's been just over 3 1/2 years and I have never had an issue with the SUV or blowing fuses in the coach. I watched as they did the entire procedure, and they are the best. PS. Why did I buy the Honda in Oregon and not in El Paso? The Odessey I traded in had no rust and all it needed was three window motor assemblies. I got $3000.00 more than at home, and a better list price from the Lithia owned dealership. It also seems they gave me full credit for the M&G braking system and a consideration for the Roadmaster tow plate. The Honda dealer in El Paso, didn't have a clue. BEND Honda didn't have the version of the Cr-V I wanted so they brought it in from another dealership in Portland, Oregon. They must have put it on a truck because it only had 12 miles on the odometer when we picked it up. I would rather have had a Pilot or another Odessey, but they couldn't be flat towed. TWI 2004 intrigue. II731

Re: Tow Wiring Question

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105683
Thanks for the advice Chris. I like the independent system too. I looked at M&G because the former owner of the coach had it and the equipment was still installed on the coach, but the installation looked more daunting than the Airforce to install.

Jim and Jona Seifert

jim.jona.seifert@... 2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42' Coach #12150

525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd

Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530