Used when a motorhome with a 2-wire system is towing another vehicle with a 3-wire system, by way of a tow bar.
Features:
Note: You will need to install a tail light isolating diode system (38955) and 2 additional diodes (RM-792) with this tail light converter to prevent electrical feedback when flat towing a vehicle. Vehicles with separate turn signals and brake lights will need a total of 6 diodes.
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (130 Customer Reviews)
Used when a motorhome with a 2-wire system is towing another vehicle with a 3-wire system, by way of a tow bar.This product works well with some thought and acknowledgement that it has limitations.
I have just bought my second one. The previous one failed after five years.
This new one etrailer recommend the use of diodes to prevent feedback to the towing vehicle.
This is not a bad idea but was not previously available.
The circuit diagram that comes with this unit was misleading to me.
Eventually I figured it out and will passon what I learned.
My trailer has separate orange indicators.
It is wired as all my trailers are with a seven way plug.
You will see each diode having three connections.
Two from the towing vehicle and one to the indicator bulbs.
I just used one of the diode input tags connected to the appropriate wire from the seven way.
The output I fed to the indicator bulbs.
I have three indicators on each side of the trailer and they can all run off of the same tab.
I am enclosing a few pictures.
The first one is the old unit which was housed in a separate box screwed to the chassis.
Then I had a second box which held all the connections.
The second picture shows the new unit contained in its own box with the five diodes used.
The box is just a plastic project box from Radio Shack.
The last picture is of the finished unit all sealed and ready to go.
Now for those limitations.
Do not expect this to work as though it were an extension of a four wire vehicle.
The indicators will work and the brake lights work BUT the indicators go off when the brake is applied.
The unit cannot run the separate indicator and the brake at the same time.
I gave up trying to find a wire to tap for a third brake light on a 2013 GMC Sierra, so I ordered a 2 to 3 wire adapter ( #118158) as recommended by you expert Michael H. He stated that only one of the inputs was needed, but both Left and Right turn were required to make mine work at all. That aside, the product was received quickly and installation was simple using the enclosed diagrams. I have never seen anything mentioned anywhere about waterproofing undervehicle connections. I do and they last for years.
This converter worked great for what I intended it for. I was wanting to add a third brake light to back of my fifth wheel trailer. I purchased STL179RB Glolight Thinline LED also. I tried to wire this direct. It won't work, it flashes when you turn the turn signal on. A friend of mine recommended this after doing a search on the etrailer website. Etrailer support recommendation was installing two lights. Duh! that's why I wanted a third brake light, I already have two lights that function as stop/tail/turn. The installation in these pictures is not complete. I was trying to avoid drilling holes in the back of my trailer, I still may have to. I am going to enclose the wires going up the trailer to the light in some white wire loom. The light at present is secured with only white RTV, not sure that will hold. I'm still trying to avoid drilling new holes, may have to though. I hooked up all the wires on the input side, white to ground, green to right stop/turn, yellow to left stop/turn. I hooked only the red wire to red wire of the light on the output side. I hooked the ground (white wire) of light to input side of converter. Yes, it works and no it does not blink when either blinker is turned on. The additional two wires on the output side of converter are not being used nor is the additional wire of the light. Sorry for the long review, don't usually write reviews at all. Anyway, if this will help even one person it will be worth it.
I use Optronics oval LED lighting exclusively and I don't think this was made to work with them because of the rapid response of the LEDs. I use this so that on a 4 wire system I can have turn signals on the side of the trailer. When you first hit the brakes, there is a fast blip of light from the side marker/turn signals. With an incandescent bulb it would be too fast to light the bulb. This is something I can live with. I think this works great with no problems so far.
First off the customer service at etrailer is by far the best that I have dealt with. If I had a question, they sent me an email response very quickly. Secondly, the shipping is extremely fast. I placed the order and it came to an APO AE address (military stationed in Germany) via USPS Priority Mail and it arrived in like 5-7 days, I was shocked when it arrived, because I was expecting at least another 3 or 4 days.
So, as far as the product. Works great and was just what was needed.
Project was to make an adapter that I could plug into my 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee U.S. spec and use a German trailer. My friend did all of the wiring and made the adapter, so I do not take any credit for any of it. Just sharing this, to those trying to figure out if it can be done.
Moving on, the adapter is a 7 pin/blade normal American plug that goes into the back of the JGC and the other end of the adapter is the 13 pin German (European) socket. We tried it without this product and all worked except when you hit the brakes the brake lights were faded and the blinker lights were lit up as if they were the brake lights. So, had to get this product and separate the brake/blinker light on the American side and have separate brake and turn wires on the German side.
Put this product between the two in the middle of the adapter, wired it up and all works great!
I used 2 zip ties around the product and a bunch of electrical tape to hold it to the adapter, at least to give it a better look.
Now I only have to plug in the adapter whenever I use a German trailer and all works correct. When done towing, remove the adapter and everything is back to the American system. Did not have to cut/splice or do anything to the wires on the JGC or the trailer, all was done at the adapter.
Thanks again to etrailer for providing awesome customer support and shipping!
Jeff
The "Vehicle To Vehicle Tail Light Converter", Item #118158 is serving my needs well. I refitted my trailer completely using all LED lights. I mounted the converter inside the "C" channel underneath my tongue mounted toolbox for a little added protection. I also soldered all connections throughout the re-wire and used heat shrink &/or liquid rubber over all connections. I feel that proper planning prevents poor performance. I ordered numerous lights from etrailer also, and all are working fine. When I chose to call them with a question about one of their products, it was answered quickly and appropriately. I am a business person, and that's customer service!
I was looking for a way to add a third tail light to a vintage trailer and this proved to be just the ticket. Easy to install and worked great right out of the box.
Plenty of communications from etrailer staff along the way. Just wish they would provide tracking info so you could plan for expected receipt date.
Since my trailer is 100% LEDs, I would not have chosen this for the two to three wire conversion since the description specifically states "not for LEDs". But after a discussion with the tech guys, I installed it and it has worked flawlessly.
Used to add little LED marker turn lights on the corners to vintage two circuit airstream trailer. The led corner lights now are red running at night, red stopping by day and switch to yellow, when turning, day or night.
Interested in adding a third light up higher on your trailer for additional visibility? This product will separate the turn signal and brake signal on a four pin connector so you can add a running and brake light up higher to be visible. Simulates the third light that most cars and trucks have these days in the center of the back window. Positive for the semi-trucks visibility. You do not really think they can see the normal trailer lights 12" off the ground when following close behind or coming over a hill do you?
Included a picture with just the running lights illuminated.
Thank you etrailer for having the right products in stock! Most other dealers did not know what I was talking about and one even told me it was against the law. Called state highway patrol and they encouraged the additional third light! I also added the higher side running lights when semi's are merging behind you at night.
Shipping was fast. Installation was easy. Works as designed. Couldnt ask for a better result. Now my tow car is all wired correctly.
I am always able to find exactly what i need here at etrailer.com. I put a camper shell on my tow vehicle and I had to wire up the high center brake light. I called Sal to find out if there was a device to kill the blinker signal to the light, and he knew exactly what i needed. It was an easy and pleasant experience. I highly recommend Sal, he is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. Thank you for the great service!
This is the second time I have purchased tow brackets and wiring kits from etrailer. Wouldn't buy from anyone else. They know their stuff.
Great service on a part I wasn't aware was available. Was going to use a 7 pin adapter to power seperate lights on a little camp trailer. This will simplify my needs.
Thanks..
Perfect for connecting the tail lights from my RV to my car on the car dolly.
This product was used to separate the brake light signal from the turn light signal on a Ford F-350 cab/chassis with a flatbed to facilitate using amber turn signals without them illuminating when the brakes are applied (truck only, no trailer). So far they are "functioning as designed" and I'm very happy with the product.
I installed a European 13pin receiver on a 2018 Ford Explorer and stowed the wiring adapter under the vehicle. Worked flawlessly so far with caravans and bike carriers.
Works great hooked it up on my Ford truck to split up the turn signals and the brake lights on my trailer
Fairly easy to install, and worked as e xpected.
Ronald - 02/25/2022I have used etrailer many times and have always been satisfied. If you need parts for campers, towing, etc., this is the place to go.
Still working great!
Install was easy, their online help and install videos make installation a breeze.
Easy painless installation!
I used this product to install a third brake light on my TC Teardrop camper.
Easy install process, reviewed and illustrated in easy to follow wiring diagrams provided in the kit. etrailer on YouTube for the install of this tail light converter was complete and professionally illiustrated
I purchased this tail light converter over a year ago. This eliminated the problem of electrically connecting a European trailer to my U.S. spec Dodge Dakota truck. It was easy to install and works perfectly. I also appreciate etrailer waiting a year before asking me to review this product as most on line vendors ask for a review before the item is received.
My taillight adapter arrived quickly, undamaged, and exactly as advertised. Prior to ordering, I emailed etrailer.com techs with a question. They responded quickly and with excellent advice.
This little converter is simple to install. My trailer has a shared turn signal/brake wire. The adapter allows me to connect a lighted license plate frame that also has a third brake.
John D - 03/05/2015
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