Hauling your Raptor behind a MotorHome.

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

TrailWhale said:
While not a raptor, this shows what the roadmaster base plates look like on a factory Gen2 front bumper. I’ve flat towed my 2018 several thousand miles without issue. I also used one of those tailgate lights bars for my rear lighting....ran a trailer wiring kit from the front to the rear and it lights up the tailgate bar. Keeps me from having to put additional wiring and diodes on my LED tail lights. Wiring runs to a 7 pin connector in the front bumper.
The 7 pin gives me electric brakes and most importantly a charge line for the battery. You need to keep the towed vehicle battery topped off while being towed.

View attachment 159946

View attachment 159947

Interesting. I didn't know the light bars could provide brakes, turn signals, and backup. How do your "electric brakes" work and what is draining the battery of the tow vehicle such that it needs a charge from the tower?

TrailWhale · Jan 16, 2021

The brake controller on the truck is tied into the MH Trailer brake controller. It is wired into the vehicle for power, which is what drains the battery while being towed. Keeping the battery charged in necessary to keep the transfer case in neutral, Especially if yours has a key.

the light bar I have is one of those multi function using that typically goes between the tailgate and bumper. I just happened to put it directly on the tailgate. It has running, brake, and left and rear turn.

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

TrailWhale said:
The brake controller on the truck is tied into the MH Trailer brake controller. It is wired into the vehicle for power, which is what drains the battery while being towed. Keeping the battery charged in necessary to keep the transfer case in neutral, Especially if yours has a key.

the light bar I have is one of those multi function using that typically goes between the tailgate and bumper. I just happened to put it directly on the tailgate. It has running, brake, and left and rear turn.

Is that light bar legal for toad lighting? And what kind of electronic brake controller is on the truck? Usually a truck brake controller drives the brakes on a trailer. But the truck IS the trailer here?

TrailWhale · Jan 16, 2021

The light bar is completely leagal, it’s actually MORE lights than a typical trailer, more lighting than 5e magnetic lights people use, and more than the OE tail lights as far as brightness and number of lights.
This is the brake controller I use
https://rvibrake.com/products/rvibr...4-11TiCDgEqwJxhaeStfT9K7WRWsDaOxoC8ewQAvD_BwE

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

TrailWhale said:
The light bar is completely leagal, it’s actually MORE lights than a typical trailer, more lighting than 5e magnetic lights people use, and more than the OE tail lights as far as brightness and number of lights.
This is the brake controller I use
https://rvibrake.com/products/rvibr...4-11TiCDgEqwJxhaeStfT9K7WRWsDaOxoC8ewQAvD_BwE

Odd, I was just looking at that very one. Watched all the videos, read the manual, but I do not understand how the unit in the toad knows you pushed the brake pedal in the coach or how hard you pushed it.

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

Mark Hounschell said:
Odd, I was just looking at that very one. Watched all the videos, read the manual, but I do not understand how the unit in the toad knows you pushed the brake pedal in the coach or how hard you pushed it.

I understand how the command center lets you manually do it but how does the command center know you pushed the brake pedal?

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

Mark Hounschell said:
I understand how the command center lets you manually do it but how does the command center know you pushed the brake pedal?

OK I found it, Changes in inertia. Wow. So nothing to be done in the coach.

jzweedyk · Jan 16, 2021

I don't know how that works, but you say change in inertia. Be careful with that as when you use your diesel engine brake will that set it off? If so going down a long mountain grade with your engine brake on will over heat your truck brakes.

TrailWhale · Jan 16, 2021

Correct, it uses inertia. Just like a surge brake system on those uhaul trailers.
Ive towed my truck up and down mountains and have not experienced any issues with engine braking and the truck brakes overheating.

dmarkh · Jan 16, 2021

jzweedyk said:
I don't know how that works, but you say change in inertia. Be careful with that as when you use your diesel engine brake will that set it off? If so going down a long mountain grade with your engine brake on will over heat your truck brakes.

Ya, I think you are correct. However the Control Center, which should be within reach of the driver, can be set to only participate in emergency braking. So on a long down grade it seems pretty easy to put it in that mode (basically off). Obviously you can't be doing that a lot. It would get old. But for a long downgrade it can be basically disabled from the Command Center. I do like the AFO better but this one is very easy to install and could easily be used on multiple vehicles.

Hauling your Raptor behind a MotorHome.

dmarkh

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