Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

trouble with toad lights

November 19, 2012, 08:56:32 am

When I plugged in my lights for my toad and tested, I found I have brake lights, right turn, but no left turn signal.  The turn signal on the back of my 2001 U270 works, but not on the toad.  I also noticed that my front left blinker is not working.  I checked the 6 way plug on the coach and found no power for the left blinker.

My lights on the toad and an extra set of magnetic toad lights both work, so I am sure it is something in the coach.  I have spent hours trying to find something, but now am at a loss as to what to look for.  Is there something simple like a fuse I am missing?  I know enough about electricity to be dangerous, change a wire or switch, etc, but not an expert.  We live in our coach full time so this is driving me nuts ( a very short drive).  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Safe travels for all of you on the road and Happy Thanksgiving to all.  We are very blessed to be able to travel in our Foretravels in this great country.

Ted & Karen
2001 U270  36ft

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #1 – November 19, 2012, 09:38:31 am

Ted, Eliminate the bulbs in the coach lights as the problem.  I have seen bulbs with bad filaments that will act as you describe. Pull the bulb from the left turn signals and replace it with a known good one or check for continuity thru the filament.  At the same time clean and inspect the bulb sockets.
Good luck
Gary B

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #2 – November 19, 2012, 12:05:02 pm

Ted,

Checking bulbs is never a bad idea. If bulbs are OK then buy a 12V test light from HF, Radio S, Home Depot, etc. Put the clip on a good ground and test it to a hot terminal, positive on the battery as an example, to make sure the test light works. Start checking your wiring from plug down by your trailer hitch up toward the turn signal that works until you find the bad wire, etc.

Here is an excellent site with color codes from 4 wire connectors up through 7 wire connector: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

You may have a bad converter box or connection between the hitch and the U270 turn signal wires. The box converter box is usually mounted fairly close to the hitch, possibly just under the bumper in the back. Converter  box site: http://www.torkliftcentral.com/electrical_troubleshooting.php  The boxes are available at most any Autozone, NAPA store along with plug in testers that just plug into the trailer connector down by the hitch. They have lights that indicate the problem or in the fancy models, give a digital readout of the problem.

Converters are used when you have a vehicle with separate stop and turn signal bulbs like European or Asian cars and want to connect to a Detroit made vehicle or Harbor Freight towing lights for an example. They work slick unless they have a bad wire or are installed incorrectly.

Hope this helps.

Pierce

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #3 – November 19, 2012, 08:31:52 pm

Thanks Gary, I checked the bulbs in the toad, but I will check the front turn signal bulb and socket.

Pierce- i used my multimeter to check back to the 6 way round plug on my coach.  Never thought about the converter box being bad- it is original (2001) so I will get the multimeter out and do some tracing again.  Thanks for the websites.

Ted

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #4 – November 20, 2012, 07:16:22 am

The first place to check is usually the screw connections on the back side of the 6 wire connector.  It's a frequent site for corrosion.

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #5 – November 20, 2012, 12:48:36 pm

Sounds to me like the yellow wire has broken off where it connects to the little screw on the back of the plug attached to the motorhome.

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #6 – November 20, 2012, 07:18:17 pm

It sounds like the converter box or a wire.

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #7 – November 20, 2012, 09:06:34 pm

This last summer I had a nightmare with our lights. The coach lights all worked. When I used a tester on the 7 pin plug on the coach everything checked OK. When I hooked up the toad lights the right turn did not work. Through some very trying testing (and cussing) and installing a new (unnecessary) converter box I found the problem to be a weak voltage supply to the 7 pin plug. I ran a new wire from the right turn wire down to the 7 pin and now all lights work great!!

Your tester may tell you everything is OK but if all else fails try a jumper wire from the appropriate light down to your plug.

Quote Selected

Re: trouble with toad lights

Reply #8 – December 20, 2012, 11:17:14 am

After many hours of trying- I finally determined that the converter box is bad.  Bought a new one that is powered, so have to hook up to hot wire, and everything works great! 

That and a new bulb for my front turn signal and we are off again.

Thanks to all for the advice- you guys are great!!

Happy Holidays and safe travels to all.

Cya down the road.

Ted & Karen

Quote Selected