Checking brake lights
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5585
Printed Date: 22 May 2025 at 5:00am
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Topic: Checking brake lights
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Subject: Checking brake lights
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 3:01pm
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I am new to trailering. My wife is sometimes unavailable. When solo I have been told by one person to back my trailer against a light colored wall to check to see if the brakes are working. I have successfully wedged a block of wood against the brake pedal and gotten out and looked at the brake light, early on I tried to rig a mirror that I could see from the driver's seat, less successfully. I need a fool proof (for me) method for checking brake lights. Any suggestions??
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Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 4:04pm
Some may suggest that you can turn on your four way flashers and if they work your brakes lights will work. The problem with this is that some wiring configurations may not support the test and there are other components in the brake light system that can fail and will leave the 4 ways (Hazards) working while the brake lights are failing. E.g., The brake light switch...When solo, the only way to be absolutely certain the break lights are working properly is to step on the brake pedal, so I think a wooden dowel cut to the perfect length could be used to hold the brake pedal in place. Thanks for bringing this subject up. I just added "brake pedal dowel" to my to do checklist. 
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 8:33pm
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You can be 99% certain your brake lights are ok if you do the hazard flasher test mentioned. Personally I use my truck's remote, pressing the unlock button which flashes all of the lights. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 9:08pm
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Using the remote is a great idea, and I think I'm OK with 99%. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: JStrube
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 9:55pm
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I've always used rt turn signal, then left. Same as flashers. ------------- 2012 181G |