Emergency Flasher for RV Lights

[NDJollyMon]

This information applies to RV travel trailers and fifth wheels with the RV 7-way flat-pin type plug. This is the most common type plug found on trailers but your trailer may have another type connector.

If your travel trailer or fifth wheel is broken down on the side of the road at night and you want to take your truck into town for parts or to get help. Wouldn't it be nice if you could leave the trailer marker lights on? Since flashing lights mean caution or emergency it would be even better if you could make them flash.

(It's happened that drunk drivers have driven into the back of a vehicle parked on the roadside thinking they were following traffic. So, using flares along with flashing lights is a good idea.)

Roadside isn't the only place where having flashing lights may be useful. Suppose you're boondocking out in BLM land and need emergency assistance. Maybe you can call for help on your cell phone but how in the world can you give specific directions to your fifth wheel. Those flashing running lights out in the darkness could be the beacon emergency response people need to find you.

This is so easy that anyone can do it and all it takes is a heavy duty 2-pin flasher available at any auto parts store.



The key is to connect the flasher to your trailer's umbilical plug. See how the plug is oriented with the square bump at the top. Notice the two white arrows pointing to the top two pins of the plug. The pin on the left is #4 and is the battery charging line. The right pin, #3, supplies power to the license, tail and running lights.

When you want the lights on but not flashing... we use our running lights as makeshift Christmas and party lights... you can use a short length of 12 gauge wire as a jumper to light up your rig.



**Reprint from RVBasics

http://rvbasics.com/techtips/emergen...er-lights.html

[aintgotnun]

good stuff!

[OregonCamper]

Great idea! I will add one to my roadside emergency kit.

My possible uses would be:

• For roadside emergency when leaving the trailer on the side of the road.

• To help a camping buddy find us when pulling into the campground.
(I think I would have him call on the cell if possible when arriving before I plug it in)

• Emergency signal identification

[wdcarp]

Used to do the wire when kids were smaller to help them find their way back to the camper if they were out after dark. Gets dark quick in the fall

[Rockinwood]

Thanks for that great info!!!!

[powerboatr]

x2 thanks
it sure seems a bunch less $$ than the commericaly advertised yellow box to hook up and make the flash flash go flash

[KyDan]

What a GREAT idea!!
Thanks!

[John]

Great Idea ..... but just one question:

The picture of the flasher unit shows the caution note that it must be fused.

What's the worst case scenario plugging the flasher in without a fuse?

I guess this also applies to using the jumper wire to simply put the lights ON, although that's an easy fix .... just buy a wire with a fuse receptacle in-line.

Any thoughts?

John

[rockwood06]

I made two jumbers for my camper and they work great, just make sure that you use 12 GUAGE solid copper wire, NOT 14 GUAGE. For those that do not know the smaller the guage number the bigger the wire, that means the more load it can carry with out over heating.

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by John

Great Idea ..... but just one question:

The picture of the flasher unit shows the caution note that it must be fused.

What's the worst case scenario plugging the flasher in without a fuse?

I guess this also applies to using the jumper wire to simply put the lights ON, although that's an easy fix .... just buy a wire with a fuse receptacle in-line.

Any thoughts?

John

I am a camper noobie, and noticed wuite a few campers this weekend with their running / clearance lights on at night. I have 3 small kids and like this idea to help them find their way back to the camper at dark and then turning them off once bedtime hits.

A couple of questions / concerns before I run to the auto parts store tomorrow for the flasher (also a great idea for emergencies)...I will be most interested in keeping the lights ON (not flashing). Is there a NEED for that 12ga jumper wire to be fused or not!? I would almost be inclined to put an inline fuse in the jumper just for piece of mind and not worrying about "frying" my camper electrical system or something silly.

But, that being said, what AMP fure would I need to use in-line!?

Is it ALWAYS the #3 & #4 slots that are jumped on the 7-way plugs? I have a 2010 Salem 30QBSS TT if that makes any difference.

Last question...will this little "trick" harm any other electrical system(s) on the camper!? Just don't want to risk anything...but would like to do it if it's as simple as it seems.

Thanks All!

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

I am a camper noobie, and noticed wuite a few campers this weekend with their running / clearance lights on at night. I have 3 small kids and like this idea to help them find their way back to the camper at dark and then turning them off once bedtime hits.

A couple of questions / concerns before I run to the auto parts store tomorrow for the flasher (also a great idea for emergencies)...I will be most interested in keeping the lights ON (not flashing). Is there a NEED for that 12ga jumper wire to be fused or not!? I would almost be inclined to put an inline fuse in the jumper just for piece of mind and not worrying about "frying" my camper electrical system or something silly.

But, that being said, what AMP fure would I need to use in-line!?

Is it ALWAYS the #3 & #4 slots that are jumped on the 7-way plugs? I have a 2010 Salem 30QBSS TT if that makes any difference.

Last question...will this little "trick" harm any other electrical system(s) on the camper!? Just don't want to risk anything...but would like to do it if it's as simple as it seems.

Thanks All!

I used a fused jumper. Go the parts store, get an inline fuse, and install a flat blade female connector on each end.....you probably will have to mash them slightly to get them to work in the trailer connector. I think I am using a 15 amp fuse, but can't remember right off. You want to use the lowest amp fuse that you can, so that the fuse will blow before the wires burn in case of a problem.

[lonewolf]

Hey guys I tried this and it will not work for me, I have a 1999 Keystone Sprinter. I followed the instructions to a Tee but it just won't work.

[revrnd]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I used a fused jumper. Go the parts store, get an inline fuse, and install a flat blade female connector on each end.....you probably will have to mash them slightly to get them to work in the trailer connector. I think I am using a 15 amp fuse, but can't remember right off. You want to use the lowest amp fuse that you can, so that the fuse will blow before the wires burn in case of a problem.

I was checking the Grote website & they sell a 12 Ga inline fuse holder that comes w/ a 20 Amp fuse (glass type). The PN is 82-2205. NAPA in Canada carries Grote parts.

[08flagvlite]

Great idea, but PLEASE PLEASE don't drive with the four-way flashers on! If I was a cop, I'd ticket every idiot out there that I see driving in the rain with them on. I understand that they want to be seen- but a four way flasher is for emergency use- stopped preferrably pulled over to the side of the road vehicles, and, as a driveryou already encounter low visibility in a storm. When you come across this, you tend to slow way down, and possibly cause a chain reaction crash. A rainstorm is NOT an emergency!!! Randy

[revrnd]

I ended up getting the Grote 82-2166 fuse holder. More robust & uses ATO fuses (large blade type). Fuse holder was less than 4 bucks including tax.

Grote Industries: ATO Style Fuse Holder (Product #82-2166)

[revrnd]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I used a fused jumper. Go the parts store, get an inline fuse, and install a flat blade female connector on each end.....you probably will have to mash them slightly to get them to work in the trailer connector.

I checked the fit of the female connector in the trailer plug. The fit wasn't snug or tight so I left them as they were. Tried the jumper after it got dark tonight & the trailer was lit up . If anyone drove by the yard, they probably wondered what the heck was going on.

[Jas]

Randy,
in some state you have to use the 4 ways if your driving well below the posted speed limit. It is intended to increase your visibility as a potential road hazzard, hence the name "hazzard lights". This applies to your personal vehicle as well as a bigger tow rig. Down here we get some serious down pours and due the the large military presence, everybody drive differently causing some idiots to drive 70 MPH in zero visibility while others are rolling along at 30 MPH. If the 2 meet, the slow driver is ticketed because he was over 20mph off the posted 55MPH speed limit without the flashers on as well as the yahoo going 15MPH over.

[revrnd]

Most truckers will turn the flashers or hazards on when climbing grades @ a slow speed.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

Hey guys I tried this and it will not work for me, I have a 1999 Keystone Sprinter. I followed the instructions to a Tee but it just won't work.

If your marker lights work while plugged up to the tow vehicle, then you may not have 12 volts to the plug. Test that with a multi-function meter, and see if you have power to the plug.

Check out this thread for Bargman connection pin locations: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...html#post51889

[lonewolf]

I have checked my plug and there is power to the plug while not hooked to tow vehicle. Does the wire have to be 12ga for it to work??