Parts Needed to Power Lights on Bike Rack on GMC Sierra While Flat Towing

Question:

I would like to add a connection to the tail lights of my GMC truck that I tow behind my motorhome. I have to disconnect the truck battery when it is being towed, so the power from the trucks taillights comes from the motorhome. I often have a bike rack on the back of the truck that blocks its taillights, so I added additional taillights to the bike rack. Unfortunately, with the battery off, plugging the bike rack taillights into the flat 4-wire connector that was standard on the truck, does not provide any power to the lights on the bike rack. Is there some sort of connector I can buy to plug into the line from the motorhome to the trucks taillights to power the trucks taillights and the lights on the bike rack?

asked by: Douglas D

Expert Reply:

You won't be able to tie the bike rack lights into the tow bar wiring. The additional pull from those lights could overload the wiring and cause damage. What you will need to do is add an additional 4-way to the back of your motorhome using # C56496.

This universal kit comes with a powered converter so you won't have to worry about putting too much strain on the motorhome wiring. Then you can use the Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-154 to the 4-way back to the bike rack and power the lights.

expert reply by: Robin H