Change side running light to running light/flasher

**kb0zke** · 07-02-2023, 07:17 PM

Our trailer has an amber running light on each side near the bottom of the trailer. I'd like to have it flash with the turn signal. Ought to be a pretty easy mod, right? Any guesses on how much of the trailer I'm going to have to disassemble?

Without opening anything up, my initial thinking is to simply find the turn signal wire at the front of the trailer and add another wire to it in parallel, then run that wire back to the existing running light. The new light has three wires: running light, turn signal, and ground, so I ought to be able to use the two existing wires and add the third one. I'm guessing it won't take more than a few days per side.

What do you think? Anyone actually do this before?

**retired_engineer** · 07-02-2023, 08:37 PM

I'd think you should be able to tap into the turn signals where the 7-pin connects to the trailer wiring. You will need to add a turn signal wire for each side and should be able to use the existing running light wiring. One thing I have run into trying replace my running lights with side view cameras is the wires of the new fixture do not line up with the existing wire hole and I can't reposition it due to the pass-through storage interference. I'm still mulling over the best way to handle it and more importantly how to best fill a 1/2" hole to prevent water damage. With this in mind before you start I would pull one of your running lights to see how things line up so you know how much extra work you might have to do.

**powerscol** · 07-02-2023, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by kb0zke

Our trailer has an amber running light on each side near the bottom of the trailer. I'd like to have it flash with the turn signal. Ought to be a pretty easy mod, right? Any guesses on how much of the trailer I'm going to have to disassemble?

Without opening anything up, my initial thinking is to simply find the turn signal wire at the front of the trailer and add another wire to it in parallel, then run that wire back to the existing running light. The new light has three wires: running light, turn signal, and ground, so I ought to be able to use the two existing wires and add the third one. I'm guessing it won't take more than a few days per side.

What do you think? Anyone actually do this before?

Should be easy but you will need to replace the light with one set up for clearance and turn. Examples https://www.amazon.com/Partsam-Clear...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
https://www.google.com/search?q=RV+c...t=gws-wiz-serp

At each rear corner (outside the frame) of the trailer you should find the turn signal wiring. It will be the same color as found at the pin box or 7 pin connection. You will need to properly tap and run a new wire forward to the clearance light or lights once you change them out.

Hope this helps

**Pap and Mimi** · 07-03-2023, 11:33 AM

I just changed the 110 receptacles on each side of my couch and noticed the tail light wires back in the bases of the "end tables" looking through the hole when I removed the receptacle.. You may also be able to access the wiring to the clearance lights through the "end tables" by removing the floors of each one.

**kb0zke** · 07-03-2023, 02:59 PM

Thanks, all. Yes, I know I'll need new lights. Mostly, I was wondering if there are any hidden gotchas. I replaced those lights on our previous rv and it was a pretty easy job.

**Tckhan** · 07-16-2023, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by kb0zke

Our trailer has an amber running light on each side near the bottom of the trailer. I'd like to have it flash with the turn signal. Ought to be a pretty easy mod, right? Any guesses on how much of the trailer I'm going to have to disassemble?

Without opening anything up, my initial thinking is to simply find the turn signal wire at the front of the trailer and add another wire to it in parallel, then run that wire back to the existing running light. The new light has three wires: running light, turn signal, and ground, so I ought to be able to use the two existing wires and add the third one. I'm guessing it won't take more than a few days per side

Does it matter if these two clearance lights turn-on, along with the brake lights??

**Riverbug** · 07-16-2023, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by retired_engineer

I'm still mulling over the best way to handle it and more importantly how to best fill a 1/2" hole to prevent water damage. With this in mind before you start I would pull one of your running lights to see how things line up so you know how much extra work you might have to do.

I did this on our 22MLE as well. To cover the portion of the hole that was visible I purchased a sheet of black PVC. You can cut it with a razor blade (scoring it several times) and shape it with a file and/or sandpaper. I chose to make it the same shape as the camera/light base but 1/2" larger than the base so that it covered the portion of the hole that was visible, with enough extra that I could fill the hole with sealant and seal under the edges of the PVC piece and around it once installed. It blended in well enough that it looked factory when it was done. If you didn't look at two of them side by side I don't know that someone would know it wasn't factory. Just an idea...
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

**retired_engineer** · 07-16-2023, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

I did this on our 22MLE as well. To cover the portion of the hole that was visible I purchased a sheet of black PVC. You can cut it with a razor blade (scoring it several times) and shape it with a file and/or sandpaper. I chose to make it the same shape as the camera/light base but 1/2" larger than the base so that it covered the portion of the hole that was visible, with enough extra that I could fill the hole with sealant and seal under the edges of the PVC piece and around it once installed. It blended in well enough that it looked factory when it was done. If you didn't look at two of them side by side I don't know that someone would know it wasn't factory. Just an idea...
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Thanks for posting this I like it. I've been kind of busy so haven't spent any time on the side view cameras. I take the trailer in Wednesday for some warranty work this should cut my time to get the cameras mounted once I get the trailer back.

**Biery-Bullock** · 07-19-2023, 02:47 PM

I think this could be a great idea, but you might want to check your state vehicle laws to see if side running lights are required on trailers. If that's the case, you would need to change the fixture to support two independently-wired lights.