Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter
(153 reviews)
Price: $33.36
In Stock
Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter
Item # 118158
Retail:$58.78
Our Price: $33.36
You Save: 43%
In Stock
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- All Info
- Reviews (153)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Tow Ready Accessories and Parts - 118158
- Trailer Wiring
- Mounting Hardware
- Brackets
- 7 Round
- 7 Round
- Tow Ready
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:
- Used when a motorhome is towing another vehicle by way of a tow bar
- If the towing vehicle has a 2-wire system and the vehicle being towed is on a 3-wire system (the vehicle has amber turn signals, separate from the brake signals), the vehicle to vehicle tail light converter will need to be used
- This item cannot be installed backwards (the input going to the output side) to convert a tow vehicle down
- Will not work with vehicles that have LED tail lights
- Limited 1-year warranty
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.
118158 Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter
Replaces 31820
Installation Details
California residents: click here
Customer Satisfaction Score:
89% were satisfied with this product
11% of customers were not satisfied
- Wrong item was ordered
- Product did not meet expectations
- etrailer mistake
Customer Reviews
Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter - 118158
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (153 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.by: Gabriel05/02/2023
The tail light converter worked better than expected. Successfully added a third brake light to a unique trailer. Took the guesswork out of project with the instructions provide.
by: Doug02/10/2024
Product does its job, the 5 star review is because of etrailer. They provide lots of get information upfront and have wonderful tech support. They have earned my business.
by: Peter10/01/2020
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.
by: Pete P11/26/2013
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.
Sam
5/6/2015
Does the 3rd brake light flash when using the hazard lights?
Anonymous
5/24/2015
Yes, emergency flashers will flash the third light also.
by: Carl10/29/2022
I wanted to covert a rear, high, center, red light from a running light to a 3rd brake light. This was the answer. It took less than 1/2 hour to plan and install this converter and it works perfectly. I now have a 3rd brake light on my Off Grid Trailers Pando 2.0.
by: Rob C.06/20/2018
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.
by: Paul L.09/04/2017
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.
by: Jeff G.06/22/2017
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
by: Mike09/11/2018
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.
by: Neil C.06/03/2020
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.
by: RR05/15/2023
Installed correct. However, can tell the lights are now dimmer than before installing the converter. Not to happy with dim brake lights.
The converter works as said otherwise.
Jenny N.
5/19/2023
I wanted to ask you if your vehicle has LED lights? I know that this converter will work correctly if the trailer has LED lights, however will not if the tow vehicle has them.
by: John L08/26/2013
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.
by: Robert 03/05/2023
The VtoV converter works great and solved a problem I have been dealing wiht for almost 6 months.
My one suggestion to anyone adding a trailer harness to a vehicle that was also wired for flat towing by an rv, that you realize and understand the difference between two wire and three wire systems. This description can be found in ETrailers videos. I found after much frustration I needed this unit because the two wire system coming from my RV conflicted with the plug and play trailer harness. It separated the incoming signal into a 3 wire system allowing my Jeep to operate as designed, and the trailer harness to also work.
As good and helpful everyone at ET have been I only wish we could have identified the conflict sooner.
But overall, I will recommend and use ETrailer again.
by: Casey06/08/2018
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..
by: K.J.02/02/2022
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.
K.j.
2/2/2023
Still working perfectly!
by: Gerald 03/25/2024
It work great 1st try
by: Alex H.11/29/2019
Shipping was fast. Installation was easy. Works as designed. Couldnt ask for a better result. Now my tow car is all wired correctly.
by: Wyman02/11/2024
Great company very helpful
by: Jeff04/04/2018
Easy painless installation!
I used this product to install a third brake light on my TC Teardrop camper.
by: Jim R.04/05/2020
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!
Jim R.
4/6/2021
The tail light converter is still working fine. I have no regrets.
by: John D.02/25/2014
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.
3/5/2015
What great customer service! You guys and your products are fantastic. The items I bought are working 100
by: Martin S07/17/2013
The perfect solution to hook european trailers with separate blinker and brake lights to U.S. vehicles that combine the two. Piece of cake to install, works great. Many props to E-Trailer for supporting the troops by providing shipment to APO/FPO. Note, The trailer ground passes over this devise to the ground coming from your vehicle. Not clarified in the instructions but easy enough to figure out.
Martin S.
1/16/2015
Still loving it.Thanks, Marty
by: Christian G02/26/2020
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.
Christian G.
3/1/2021
Still working flawlessly, even with lots of snow, ice and sludge
by: Aaron03/27/2018
I used this to change the wiring and harness on a European trailer to work with my standard US 4-pin trailer outlet.
Pretty simple and straight forward with the diagrams and write-ups that I found on this site.
Aaron
3/27/2019
The parts are still on my European trailer and working well! The trailer is a German brand and started its life there in Germany being pulled by my American-spec Jeep Wrangler. The trailer’s wiring and the Jeep’s connections needed to be massaged in order to work. The parts I ordered from etrailer and the writeups for the project on your site made it all possible. Now the trailer is titled and registered in Virginia and enjoying its life on this side of the Pacific!
by: Tyler05/25/2018
I received the trailer wiring adapter in just a couple days. It contained very easy instructions and the wiring leads were a very generous length.
It only took me a few minutes to install and it works perfectly.
Thank you !
Tyler
5/25/2019
Fantastic !! Works perfectly, no problems whatsoever
25
153
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See what our Experts say about this Tow Ready Accessories and Parts
- How to Install a Camper Shell Third Brake Light The Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter will eliminate the problem that you're experiencing. Since your vehicle's wiring combines the brake light and turn signals, you will want to install part # 118158. Start by grounding the white wire on the input side of the converter. Splice the green wire into your right turn circuit and the yellow input wire on the left. You can cap off the yellow and green wires on the output side for this application because they're not needed....
view full answer... - Troubleshooting Third Brake Light on Truck Camper Shell Not Working It sounds like you have tested the brake light circuit on the truck that you are connecting to for the third brake light. You also tested the light itself separately so you know it isn't simply a case of a bad bulb. If the circuit is good and the light is good but it isn't working only when the two are connected, it might be that the light is drawing too much power for the brake light circuit to handle. I recommend checking to see how much power the third brake light draws to ensure this...
view full answer... - Can the Taillight Converter part # 118158 Be Used with LED TaillightsThe LED restriction for the # 118158 is for if the converter was being used on a vehicle with LED lights. Basically, it will work if the trailer has LED taillights, but not if the tow vehicle has them. The input side of the box can't use signals from a vehicle with LED taillights, but the output side can. If only the trailer side of the wiring uses LEDs this would work just fine.
view full answer... - Taillight Converter For Towing Trailer with Separate Turn Signals and Brake LampsYour truck uses what we refer to as a combined taillight system which uses a single bulb for the turn signal and brake lamp. In order to separate out the turn signals, you'd need a vehicle to vehicle taillight converter like part # 118158. I'd recommend installing the converter inline on the taillight circuits on the trailer. I've linked to a product description video that helps explain how the converter works.
view full answer... - Does Bar Light at Rear of Trailer Typically Carry Running Light or Stop Light CircuitMost likely it's a running light. Typically a center bar is a clearance light that runs to the running light circuit. Wiring in a third brake light to a trailer is somewhat involved as you have to use a signal converter like part # 118158 to separate out the brake circuit from the turn signals. I attached an install video for this converter for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Turn Signal Causes Supplemental Braking System to Apply Brakes on Towed 2004 Honda CRVSounds like you are going to need a Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter like # 118158. This converter is used when a motorhome with a 2-wire system is towing another vehicle with a 3-wire system, by way of a tow bar. If your supplemental braking system is spliced into the right turn signal (for example) then you will take the converter's green wire and splice it into the right turn signal wiring and run the red wire to the supplemental braking system.
view full answer... - Trailer Wiring Converter Recommendation for Adding Third Brake Light to TrailerYou have to use a taillight converter like the part # 118158 wired to your trailer's wiring so that you can seperate out the stop light from the turn signals. Once you do that the red wire of the box will have just the brake signal for you power the third brake light. It will not blink with the turn signals.
view full answer... - Taillight Converter to Separate Combined Taillight CircuitsThe taillight signal converter part # 118158 that you referenced would be the correct product you would need to convert a combined taillight circuit to a separate circuit. The turn signals would only be illuminated when the blinkers are applied on the tow vehicle. They would not stay on all the time. Check out the review video I attached as well.
view full answer... - Can the Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter be Used on a Boat Trailer and Get WetThe Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter, # 118158, is typically used on motor homes that are towing another vehicle by way of tow bar. The converter is not a sealed box so if it were to be submerged in water or exposed to rain, it would be damaged. If you choose to use this part on your boat trailer, you will want to make sure that the converter is mounted in a location that protects it from water.
view full answer... - Wiring Ground and Running Lights When Using Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter 118158When wiring in Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter # 118158 the tow vehicle's combined stop/turn signals and ground do connect at the input side. The ground connection will be split at the input side to also allow it to be run over to the output side as well. The running light wire on the tow vehicle (usually a brown wire) will also bypass the converter since it does not require any processing. The linked image illustrates.
view full answer...
- Adapter Recommendation to Separate Out Vehicle Combined Lighting CircuitsYes, if you needed a converter to separate out a combined trailer lighting circuit the part # 118158 would be the correct adapter to do this.
view full answer... - Kit Needed To Separate Combined Turn Signals Wiring to Separate Wiring Yes, the Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter # 118158 will separate the combined turn signal circuits on your 2006 Volvo XC90 and your trailer. Attached is a product overview video for you to check out as well.
view full answer... - Converter Recommendation to Seperate Out Turn Signals from StoplightsFor a converter designed to seperate out the turn signals from the stoplights what you'd need is the part # 118158 which will give you a turn signal totally separate from the stoplights like you need.
view full answer... - Trailer Left Turn Signal/Brake Signal Circuit Has No Power on a 2001 GMC Yukon ConnectorYou probably just have a blown tow package fuse on your 2001 GMC Yukon. Under the hood in the power distribution box there is a fuse labeled TRL L TRN. This is the fuse for the trailer left turn signal circuit. There are also fuses for the Stop lamp and CHMSL circuits that you can check.
view full answer... - Converter Recommendation for Separating Trailer Turn Signal Circuits from Brake Lights7-way trailer wiring is not designed for giving you a dedicated brake light circuit as standard trailer wiring has the stoplights and turn signals carried on the same circuit like you have found. I attached a picture that shows how a 7-way is typically wires. You could rewire your trailer and vehicle to carry the circuits any way you wish, but typically sticking with the standard diagram is the best and then to convert from separate to combined circuits you'd want to use a converter like...
view full answer...
- Will Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter # 118158 Work to Power a 3rd LED Brake LightYou can use the vehicle to vehicle tail light converter # 118158 to power a third brake light whether it be LED or incandescent. The input green wire will connect to the combined right turn/brake light circuit and the yellow wire will connect to the combined left turn/brake light circuit. White gets grounded to the vehicle or trailer frame. On the output side if you just need the brake circuit it is the red wire. The green and yellow output wires can be capped off and stowed out of the way.
view full answer... - Converter Box Recommendation for Converting Combined Signal to Trailer with Separate LightsYes, the Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter # 118158 would work well to separate the combined turn signal circuits from your 2012 Subaru Outback with combined wiring to the separate wiring of your trailer. This would be the only product you would need. Basically, you would want to mount this product somewhere near the connector on your trailer and then splice the wiring in. The box is labeled to let you know exactly which wire goes where, but you will need to run the right turn/stop...
view full answer... - Installing Side Trailer Lights to Blink with Corresponding Turn SignalIf you are wanting to install side marker lights on your motorcycle trailer that blink with the turn signal, it will need to be tapped into the turn signal/brake light wire for that side. However, just doing this will also allow the side light to come on with the brake lights. You do not want to attach it to the running light circuit, as this would back feed and force the lights to come on when they should not. Trailer have combined turn signals and brake lights and the running light...
view full answer...
- How to Wire 3-Function Reverse/Turn/Stop Light in Vehicle with Combined Stop/Turn WiringIn order to install your 3-function lights on your 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 that has combined stop/turn wiring you will need a vehicle-to-vehicle taillight converter, part # 118158 from Tow Ready. This converter separates the combined stop/turn functions into separate signals that run on separate wires. This converter will work only on incandescent lights, but not with LEDs. Your vehicle running/tail light wire will bypass the converter and go directly to the wire on your lights that operates...
view full answer... - Where Do Extra Diodes Go When Wiring A Tow And Towed Vehicle With Separate Brake And Turn SignalsThe other two diodes are needed so you can have separate turn and brake signals. So you will have a diode for each brake light (right and left), a diode for each turn signal (right and left) and a diode for each tail light (right and left). I will send you a link to the wiring diagram of the # RM-154 wiring kit to show where all of the diodes are connected and what color wires go to what function on the tow vehicle. A separate wire for the brake circuit will have to be run on the towed...
view full answer... - Wiring Side Marker Lights on Trailer as Turn SignalsUsing a relay would be the way to go if you wish to use those fog lamps as reverse lights. You would want one input on the relay tapped into the reverse light circuit, and one leg ran to a 12-volt power source. There would be no really simple method of getting a side marker light to serve as a directional signal without having it light when the brakes are applied. How to make your connections will depend on the taillight system of your tow vehicle. If your vehicle has amber colored turn...
view full answer... - Is Turn and Brake Circuits Separate on OEM Wiring for a 2018 Ram 1500The typical wiring scheme for pickups has the turn and brake signals on the same circuit as you can see from the attached diagram. Since this should be the case on your 2018 Ram 1500 you will need a converter like the Tow Ready # 118158 if your trailer has separate turn and brake circuits. You may want to try connecting your trailer to see if everything works properly before installing the converter. Most trailers have the turn and brake circuits combined so the converter may not actually...
view full answer...
- Does Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter Require Diode System to Tow Trailer with Jeep WranglerYou are correct that you will not need a diode kit in conjunction with the Tow Ready Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter, # 118158 in order to tow a trailer with your 2010 Jeep Wrangler. You would only need the diode kit if you were flat towing your Jeep from an RV or motorhome.
view full answer... - Trailer Side Marker/Turn Signal Light Wiring TroubleshootingThe Vehicle to Vehicle Tail Light Converter Item # 118158 is what you need because it sounds like your trailer has separate wiring and your vehicle has combined wiring.
view full answer...
Do you have a question about this Accessories and Part?
Info for this part was:
Expert Research:
Mike L
Expert Research:
Robert G
Expert Research:
Michael H
Expert Research:
Jeff D
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Expert Research:
John H
Expert Research:
Adam R
Expert Research:
Rachael H
Expert Research:
Jeffrey L
Video Edited:
Jacob T
Updated by:
Adele M
Updated by:
Laura H
Updated by:
Wilson B
Updated by:
Alexander C
Updated by:
Isabelle B
Installed by:
Cole B
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Peter
10/11/2021
No problems so far