Are Diodes Required for Tow Bar Wiring on a 2005 Honda CR-V

Question:

I have a 2010 Winnebago Class C Access 31C Ford E450 chassis with a factory 7-Way RV Trailer Connector. I need to wire a 2005 Honda CR-V for towing behind the RV and want to connect to the CR-V lighting system. I am puzzled by online diagrams and instructions that suggest diodes are needed. While the RV has separate brake lights and turn signals albeit combined in dual filament bulbs it appears that RV wiring components upstream from the 7-Way RV Trailer Connector have already taken care of the need for diodes. Testing the 7-Way RV Trailer Connector shows that when both brakes and turn signal are applied in the RV, one of the turn signal/brake contacts is on steady while the other turn signal/brake contact flashes. Can I simply splice these circuits into the corresponding turn signals in the CR-V without diodes? And am I correct that I cannot use the brighter brake light circuit in the CR-V because they are connected and cant be activated separately? Thanks

asked by: Dave R

Expert Reply:

Diodes are used if you are installing a diode tow bar wiring system on your 2005 Honda CR-V but there are other systems, such as the bulb and socket kit, # RM-155.

Diodes are not converting anything and the use or 4 or 6 diodes depends on how the RV is wired and what the toad requires. Diodes act as a traffic cop directing the power coming back to the vehicle lights and preventing back feeding. Connecting wiring directly from the RV to the vehicle would not.

Since your RV already has a trailer connector and the brake lights and turn signals are combined you would only need a 4-diode kit # RM-154 but if you wanted to have the vehicle brake lights and amber turn signals operate separately from each other you would need a 6-diode kit, # 154-792-118158.

If it were me I would go with the bulb and socket kit # RM-155 because it bypasses the vehicle wiring completely. I have linked a video showing an example installation for you.