Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Ed &Jo on July 14, 2016, 05:40:15 pm

Title: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Ed &Jo on July 14, 2016, 05:40:15 pm
Recently purchased, and enjoying, a 97 U295 after owning an sob for 13 years. Now having to familiarize myself with the new systems. I have read a number of posts related to toad wiring from forum searches looking for the location of the converter which converts the turn signal outputs to a brake output. I get good left & right turn signal outputs on the motorhome/side plug but no joint output when the brake is applied. I assume the converter or related circuit has failed but cannot find it at the rear of the coach near the 6 pin receptacle, in the engine compartment or under the dash. Anyone know where it might be. Also recently removed and cleaned the front air leveling manifold using the great source of info here on the forum. Had an open travel solenoid coil which was replaced and now works great. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post their advice and experiences.

Ed
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Pamela & Mike on July 14, 2016, 09:32:07 pm
Ed,

On our '97 the magic box is ty wrapped to the rear frame rail right at the air dryer. Or said another way all the way to the left side of the rear frame rail.  There will be a wad of wires that (some are spare and go to the front of the coach) it is hid under.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Ed &Jo on July 15, 2016, 07:54:04 am
Thank you Pamela & Mike. Going to be back under it (with blocked suspension) this morning to take another look......Ed
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Pamela & Mike on July 15, 2016, 08:53:18 am
You should be able to see it with the rear engine door open.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Pamela & Mike on July 15, 2016, 09:02:37 am
Here is where ours is located and what was OEM in '97  yours should be close to this location.
P & M

Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: Ed &Jo on July 15, 2016, 09:23:11 pm
Pamela & Bill,
  Looks like my engine bay area is configured diffently than yours. My air dryer is on the right and the air filter canister is accessed from a side compartment door on the left. Most of the posts I have searched indicate the same location as yours but mine has none there. I finally assumed there was none installed and bought and installed a converter since I had everthing but brake lights when brake was applied. I might run into it someday as I get to know the coach better but for now at least I have brake lights on the toad. Thanks again for taking the time to post the pictures. That was helpful.

Ed
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: ViewRVs on June 29, 2017, 07:53:00 pm
I am having the same issue with hooking up my toad. I have the six pin socket on the back.  I get running lights and turn signals but no brake lights. It sounds like my brake light converter went bad. Unfortunately, mine is not right inside the engine compartment on the bar.

Anyone have an idea where the brake/tail light converter is on a 1996 U320?
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: red tractor on June 29, 2017, 07:56:44 pm
They did not come standard if I remember correctly, and had to be added if you wanted the 3to2 adapter. Yours may have never had one installed. They are readily easy to see where they are.
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: ViewRVs on June 29, 2017, 08:19:50 pm
They did not come standard if I remember correctly, and had to be added if you wanted the 3to2 adapter. Yours may have never had one installed. They are readily easy to see where they are.

Wow. How would ANY trailer be towable without the proper brake lights?

I followed the wiring harness around until it ran forward past the transmission. I did not see a converter box anywhere.

They come in powered and unpowered. How would I get power for a powered one?
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: red tractor on June 29, 2017, 08:33:05 pm
If the trailer was wired with foreign wiring in other words if the trailer had amber turn signals then it would have worked. Like if the car that was towed had the amber lights then they could have been used so no need for the converter. The converter is usually mounted to the cross bar near where the tow plug is located. You can tap into the harness that goes to toe tow plug and you just cut the wires in install the converter as per the instructions on it.
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: ViewRVs on June 29, 2017, 09:46:29 pm
It is not foreign wiring. I just had the toad (2014 Honda CR-V) wired at the trailer shop. On the toad, the running lights work fine. The blinkers work (although not the amber bulbs). I have tested the pins with a voltmeter and the two right and left blinkers (green and yellow) have power but go dead when the brakes are pressed. 
Title: Re: Trailer/Toad Wiring
Post by: wolfe10 on June 30, 2017, 08:31:55 am
Yup, need a 3 to 2 converter.

Here is a good/common one: Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories (http://roadmasterinc.com/products/accessories/electrical/converter.html)