Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Need help wiring plug for tow car... (Read 836 times) previous topic - next topic

Need help wiring plug for tow car...

The lights on our '09 Honda CRV have not worked properly since we bought the Foretravel. Today I mapped out the plug on the back of the MH. The plug has 6 conductors. One is slightly larger and is the Ground. The one at the top, in line with the indexing groove, is Tail lights. The two closest to the bottom are brake, turn signal and hazard lights. The other two are unused.
It looks like the brakes and the turn signal use the same bulb on the MH, although it is hard to tell looking through the lens and I didn't take the fixture out to make sure.
The Honda has separate bulbs for brake and turn signals.
I could sure use some advice on how to wire this.
Thanks, Dick

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #2 –
Here is a link to an excellent wiring guide for the connectors.  Trailer Wiring Diagrams | etrailer.com

The previous version of the 6-way diagram pointed out that RVs use the center connector for brakes and the blue wire for 12V. However, those pins probably will not be connected unless someone previously installed a brake system like the US Gear Unified Tow Brake and used that harness to activate it.

An alternative you have with the CR-V is to place bulbs in the lower part of the tail light housing (where there is no bulb) that are connected to the motor home for towing.  Blue Ox makes a kit to do this and there is no need to interconnect the Honda lights with the motor home lights.  I use this approach and it is about as simple as can be.

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #3 –
Adapters are sold to convert motorhomes with separate brake & turn to tow cars with combined brake & turn and visa-versa.

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #4 –
1.  Go to Harbor Freight
2.  Buy $9 light set
3.  zip tie wires under car
4.  bring wires into trunk
5.  stick magnetic lights on car and plug other end into motorhome
6.  go somewhere fun

oldMattB

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #5 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
1.  Go to Harbor Freight
2.  Buy $9 light set

But now you have to store the light set.  And if you use a roof pod or have your bikes on the toad roof rack (like we often do), roof lights aren't an option.

-M

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: oldmattb –
1.  Go to Harbor Freight
2.  Buy $9 light set

But now you have to store the light set.  And if you use a roof pod or have your bikes on the toad roof rack (like we often do), roof lights aren't an option.

-M

I meant it mostly to be humorous.  When we towed a CRV, I did the nice wiring, the diodes and all.  When we changed to the Echo, I did the above - we were in a hurry, and I was all for changing half a day of work into half an hour.  When I am not displaying the lights, I stick the lights to each other and stash them in the corner of the trunk.  They have scratched the trunk lid up some, but it is an old car, the front covered with stone chips and some alien bug guts that will never come off.

We towed this poor little car the length of the Apache Trail, miles of dirt roads in California, and about 40,000 highway miles.  One time, I forgot to close the heater vent, before a dirt-road adventure.  When we disconnected the car and started the air conditioner, it blew a cloud of road dust into our faces!  I had to pull over, though I don't remember if it was from impaired vision or laughter.

oldMattB

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #7 –
I installed a plug on the front as part of the base plate.  I installed oval LED, brake/stop/tail, lights on the rear interior shelf of the car.  I ran a cable from the front to the rear and wired it to the two lights.  They light up through the rear window.  They only work when connected to motorhome  Works great -  but I forgot to consider frost or snow on the windshield.  Have not had a real problem with the snow covering them yet, but the warranty is almost up, so I am thinging about tying them into the regular rear car lighting using the diode system.  Oh, the way it is currently hooked up, I have to argue with the safety inspector each year during the state required safety inspection, because they don't "work" as far as he is concerned.  I always tell him that they do work when hooked to the motorhome, just like a trailer lights would work.  He does not seem to like that, but has passed me anyway.

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #8 –
I installed a plug on the front as part of the base plate.  I installed oval LED, brake/stop/tail, lights on the rear interior shelf of the car.  I ran a cable from the front to the rear and wired it to the two lights.  They light up through the rear window.  They only work when connected to motorhome  Works great -  but I forgot to consider frost or snow on the windshield.  Have not had a real problem with the snow covering them yet, but the warranty is almost up, so I am thinging about tying them into the regular rear car lighting using the diode system.  Oh, the way it is currently hooked up, I have to argue with the safety inspector each year during the state required safety inspection, because they don't "work" as far as he is concerned.  I always tell him that they do work when hooked to the motorhome, just like  trailer lights would work.  He does not seem to like that, but has passed me anyway.

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #9 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: oldmattb –
1.  Go to Harbor Freight
2.  Buy $9 light set

But now you have to store the light set.  And if you use a roof pod or have your bikes on the toad roof rack (like we often do), roof lights aren't an option.

I meant it mostly to be humorous. 

Steve will tell you I'm sometimes a bit slow in that department  ;)  Oops!

-M

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #10 –
 :-X
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: oldmattb –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: oldmattb –
1.  Go to Harbor Freight
2.  Buy $9 light set

But now you have to store the light set.  And if you use a roof pod or have your bikes on the toad roof rack (like we often do), roof lights aren't an option.

I meant it mostly to be humorous. 

Steve will tell you I'm sometimes a bit slow in that department  ;)  Oops!

-M
I'm still lost :-X

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #11 –
I should have explained better; the Honda is properly wired for all lights and has separate amber turn signals and red brake lights.
Also, since I started checking into this, DW tells me (she says reminds me) that only the amber lights come on when I step on the MH brake or turn on the turn signals.
I think my problem is that the MH has combined brake and turn signal lights and the Honda has them separate. I was hoping to make it so the red brake light on the Honda would come on with the MH brake and the appropriate amber light on the Honda would come on with the MH turn signals,
The attached drawing is from the Roadmaster site and I guess that is what I'm stuck with. I will just need to change the connector on the Honda to use the red brake lights instead of the amber.
My wiring diagram for the Foretravel looks like the brake and turn signal use the same bulb.


Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Dick S –
I should have explained better; the Honda is properly wired for all lights and has separate amber turn signals and red brake lights.
Also, since I started checking into this, DW tells me (she says reminds me) that only the amber lights come on when I step on the MH brake or turn on the turn signals.
I think my problem is that the MH has combined brake and turn signal lights and the Honda has them separate. I was hoping to make it so the red brake light on the Honda would come on with the MH brake and the appropriate amber light on the Honda would come on with the MH turn signals

If it makes you feel any better, neither tow car we've had has had both the amber directionals and red brake lights operate with the coach.  Ours is set up so the red lights do both directional and brake.  And the CR-V's high-mount center brake light doesn't stay on when the car's other brake lights come on with the coach, it just gives a momentary flash.

Michelle
 

Re: Need help wiring plug for tow car...

Reply #13 –
Thanks Michelle. It does make me feel better and feel I'm on the right track.  :)