Greetings and question
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11412
Printed Date: 04 Sep 2025 at 7:52am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Greetings and question
Posted By: kaubey
Subject: Greetings and question
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:12am
|
Hi Everyone --
Bout a new R-Pod 178 about a month ago. Took it out a couple of weeks later for 4 nights. Had a great time, but was left with one question: You know the LEDs on the fenders and rear spoiler? How do I turn those on?
Thanks!
|
Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:17am
The LED marker lights on the fenders come on with the tow vehicle (AKA TV) lights. If your TV lights are on, then the marker lights should come on too. I presume you are using a 7-pin umbilical to the TV?
-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
|
Posted By: kaubey
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:29am
|
Yea, I've got a 7 pin umbilical, but don't know how to turn the lights on. Is there supposed to be a switch somewhere? I didn't install the umbilical or the brake controller myself, so may be missing something there. Is the switch on the brake controller or something?
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:31am
Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 178.
-------------
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2025 Ford Transit Camper van
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
|
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:33am
All the trailer( including those) lights should come on when you plug in the 7 pin connector and turn on your vehicle lights.
-------------
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2025 Ford Transit Camper van
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
|
Posted By: kaubey
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 11:38am
|
Ah, ok. Thanks. Come to think of it, it's possible I've not turned my vehicle lights on yet, since I only drove during the day. Thanks for your help!
|
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 1:32pm
I guess I don't think about it much, as the truck turns the lights on & off without my intervention. Likewise, the trailer lights come on with the truck (when they're connected of course).
-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
|
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 2:10pm
It's good to check the lights to make sure the plug is making good connections. That said, I usually go by the continuity LED on my brake controller as a sanity check.
-------------
Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
|
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 2:16pm
Welcome kaubey. It's a good idea to make sure all your lights are working before you take off. We made up a little check list that we always use before moving the trailer. It's got all the hitch stuff, door step, lights, and all the other things you want to make sure are working or secured before you go. In the confusion of starting out a trip, it's easy to forget even obvious things like closing the door. I know, I've forgotten too many things and felt really silly.
-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
|
Posted By: kaubey
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 2:25pm
Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 7:29pm
|
In most vehicles with daytime running lights only the headlights operate. Everything else is controlled by the traditional switch. I personally think this is wrong as I see many folks driving at night using the DRLs, they don’t see well and no one can see them. The more they automate the less people think. Enough rant
-------------
Susan and Norm
2016 Venza, V6 factory tow
2018 RP179
|
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:07pm
We also do the checklist like Fred and Maria. Just before leaving the campsite I have my DW behind the trailer as I apply brake lights, then left turn, right turn blinkers and finally running lights to make sure everything is kosher before we go down the road.
-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
|
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 9:15pm
On our previous vehicle that had DRL, when it was set to automatic, the rest of the lights came on and the headlights went to full power when it got dark or when the windshield wipers were on. Our Frontier does not have DRL. I would prefer to have them but according to the owner's manual, they were a Canada only option for the 2010 model year. I don't know about other model years.
-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
|
Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 7:05am
|
Stephen, your are right, DRL have been mandatory in Canada since the eighties. The addition of automatic headlamps is a definite plus especially those that come on early and/or with wipers. I try to remember to turn on my full headlights whenever I tow anything just to make me more visible from all directions.
-------------
Susan and Norm
2016 Venza, V6 factory tow
2018 RP179
|
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2018 at 8:51am
Our F-150 turns on all of the trailer lights for about 15-20 seconds when the umbilical is first connected. I usually do a quick walk-around to check them at that time. We still do the turn signal brake light check anyway, but the initial sanity check at least lets you know you're "connected".
When I have the headlight switch in full auto, it will also turn on the DRL if you are in a forward gear. If the windshield wipers are on, or if the ambient light is low enough, it will also turn on all the lights. As previously mentioned, DRL do _NOT_ turn on the rear/trailer lights. In fact, with DRL, the headlights are turned on, but at a lower intensity. We find it a good safety measure to switch to full on when pulling the pod just to get the aft lights turned on. For me, I just check the little fender LEDs when we get underway.
-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
|
|