Might be a strange question(s)

[Sarge2]

Why do some TT's have their running lights on at night? Just sitting unhooked from the tow vehicle?
Is it decoration or is there some other reason... Is it a modification that the owner did or is that factory?

[BrooksFam]

Usually for decoration and makes it easier to find your rig in the night. You can get a switch that plugs into your 7 pin connector to turn lights on and off.

[JRTJH]

There is a "simple mod" that you can do to light your running lights and tail lights. Use a 15 amp fuse, bend the two legs slightly and plug that fuse into your trailer umbilical, pins 3 and 4. That's the two pins, one on each side of the "keyway" (alignment block on the plug)... Pin 3 is running/tail lights and pin 4 is +12 VDC.

If you "really want to be fancy, use a flasher module instead of a fuse. Your running lights will flash based on the frequency of the flasher unit's setup.

Wiring diagram and a photo of the fuse placement below. Note the photo has a 20 amp fuse. A 15 amp is all you need with LED running lights.

ADDED: The mod can help identify your trailer if you have emergency responders or a pizza delivery on the way... Just tell them, "Look for the trailer with the flashing running lights, we'll be waiting for our supper".....

[chuckster57]

It’s most likely decoration or easy ID when you return to your campsite after dark.

Very easy to do. If you hold the trailer umbilical cord facing you with the locking tab UP, the top two connectors are 12VDC and running lights. A simple jumper wire will do the trick. Another way would be to purchase the TV side plug and run a jumper across the pins in the back. Then just plug it into the trailer cord.

Looks like John has an even faster way. I guess I was typing too slow...it’s the heat

[CedarCreekWoody]

Some do it just "for effect". They do it with a shorting plug on their umbilical light cord. They was a recent discussion on the forum.

[BrooksFam]

Some do it just "for effect". They do it with a shorting plug on their umbilical light cord. They was a recent discussion on the forum.

Heres a link to the mod using a fuse to jumper terminals on the 7 pin connector.

https://sites.google.com/site/jdbeastlet/mods:runninglightsswitch

[Ksupaul]

Have a guy telling my best friend his can’t be shut off and they are on always. I told him he was full of it but guys swears by it. Cougar 34TSB TT.

[QCMan]

Tell your friend to make sure he has boots on as the stuff gets deep!

[Bill-2020]

There is a "simple mod" that you can do to light your running lights and tail lights. Use a 15 amp fuse, bend the two legs slightly and plug that fuse into your trailer umbilical, pins 3 and 4. That's the two pins, one on each side of the "keyway" (alignment block on the plug)... Pin 3 is running/tail lights and pin 4 is +12 VDC.

If you "really want to be fancy, use a flasher module instead of a fuse. Your running lights will flash based on the frequency of the flasher unit's setup.

Wiring diagram and a photo of the fuse placement below. Note the photo has a 20 amp fuse. A 15 amp is all you need with LED running lights.

ADDED: The mod can help identify your trailer if you have emergency responders or a pizza delivery on the way... Just tell them, "Look for the trailer with the flashing running lights, we'll be waiting for our supper".....

Wait just one darn second... Pizza delivery? While camping?! I load it up with food and then hit the scales to make sure I didn't overbuy. :lol:

[BrooksFam]

Wait just one darn second... Pizza delivery? While camping?! I load it up with food and then hit the scales to make sure I didn't overbuy. :lol:

Pizza delivery at the campsite is the best...……..:D

[sourdough]

Pizza delivery... When in Shreveport recently at the KOA where we stay we always go to a place called Jan's River Restaurant - every time. This trip we hit the day they were closed. We were reluctant to go there due to all the "stuff" going on but had decided we would...then they were closed. Kicked it around, looked on the web and decided on "pizza delivery" - a first for us!!! We did not have the blinking lights, just told the guy the space number and look for the big red truck - to no avail. Standing outside waiting he drove right by me and went to the end of the road. Couple of minutes later I get a call "I'm here, where are you?" Right where I said says I. Guided him back and got the pizza (very good I might add). Flashing lights might have been a good thing that evening....:D

[rohish]

I started out doing this to use as a marker for friends to find my camper at the race track and the campground. Now I do it most of the time camping. It gives off just enough light all around the camper to see at night. I don't have to string any lights at the camp site. It also keeps most of the bugs away from me, the outdoor kitchen, and the entry door.

I did replace all the bulbs to LED. The incandescent bulbs would keep the fan running on my converter all night.

[Sarge2]

There is a "simple mod" that you can do to light your running lights and tail lights. Use a 15 amp fuse, bend the two legs slightly and plug that fuse into your trailer umbilical, pins 3 and 4. That's the two pins, one on each side of the "keyway" (alignment block on the plug)... Pin 3 is running/tail lights and pin 4 is +12 VDC.

If you "really want to be fancy, use a flasher module instead of a fuse. Your running lights will flash based on the frequency of the flasher unit's setup.

Wiring diagram and a photo of the fuse placement below. Note the photo has a 20 amp fuse. A 15 amp is all you need with LED running lights.

ADDED: The mod can help identify your trailer if you have emergency responders or a pizza delivery on the way... Just tell them, "Look for the trailer with the flashing running lights, we'll be waiting for our supper".....

Kind of like that idea...lol...figured it had to be something for show...

[sonofcy]

Why do some TT's have their running lights on at night? Just sitting unhooked from the tow vehicle?
Is it decoration or is there some other reason... Is it a modification that the owner did or is that factory?

Newer vehicles turn off the power to the 7 pin plug unless the car/truck is running and maybe even in gear. The older vehicles have power all the time.

[STJ]

We are on a trip trough SD from Fl. I saw my first camper with all the running lights on at the last stop he said he got a plug from Amazon which turns the lights on switch but all those lights on which were LEDs are very annoying to other campers they have to sit and look at them. Turn them off after you find your way back to your camper.

[CedarCreekWoody]

We are on a trip trough SD from Fl. I saw my first camper with all the running lights on at the last stop he said he got a plug from Amazon which turns the lights on switch but all those lights on which were LEDs are very annoying to other campers they have to sit and look at them. Turn them off after you find your way back to your camper.

I concur, it is very annoying.

[flybouy]

I concur, it is very annoying.

I agree, if I want to look at a bunch of clearance lights glowing at night I'll stay in a rest stop on the interstate. When they first started selling the large "globe" awning lights my idiot BIL bought it and loaded it up with 60 watt bulbs. His camper looked like amused car lot.

Our unit has the amber step lights and that's what we use most. I installed an LED strip on the awning roller for more lighting when needed. It's color (RGB leds) and has the ability to produce many colors and effects. I've found using a greenish blue glow doesn't diminish my night vision nor attract bugs. I don't use the flashing, chasing, color changing or any other of the 80's disco functions.

JMHO YMMV

[KimNTerry]

IMO the lighting is right there with outdoor speakers and outdoor TVs.

I remember the three way music festival (Battle?) at one campground.
Screamo Hard Rock competing with Rap competing against Mexican Polka/Mariachi. Of course all 3 would just keep turning the volume up. We left for home early on that trip.

[dutchmensport]

You don't need to use a bent fuse. All you need is a short wire (2 or 3 inches long), and simply stick each end into pin slot 3 and 4. You can also bend the pins on a car turn signal flasher and plug it into pin slots 3 and 4. Then your running lights will flash on and off. If you really want to pi$$ off your neighbor camper, do this! He'll hate you for it!

I do carry a bent car turn signal flasher in my box of RV tools and junk. If I ever had to drop the trailer on the side of the road and leave it, I can plug in the flasher in the trailer unbilical cord and the lights will flash. (at least until the on-board battery ran down.) And FYI.... I've never HAD to use it, but on occasion, if camping on the 4th of July, and campgrounds won't permit fireworks, I have, in the past, plugged in the flasher to celebrate the 4th of July.

[STJ]

Now I agree with the flasher item for emergencies maybe for a couple hours on Fourth of July but I also can’t imagine any reason why I would leave my trailer on the side of the interstate I do have a motorcycle I can unload and go get help necessary. But you just never know what’s gonna happen out on the road. Currently sitting by the lake in Fort Thompson South Dakota grilling porkchops headed out day after tomorrow for the Black Hills. Day 20 of a 65 day trip to South Dakota from Pensacola, Fl

[Sarge2]

I can say that the lights on the trailer all night was somewhat annoying... both of my "neighbors" had them going... I thought it was strange but after seeing how elaborate some of the rigs are decked out with lighted palm trees and string lights galore, the running lights on seemed kind of tame...lol..

[FBO Cookie Monster]

I can say that the lights on the trailer all night was somewhat annoying... both of my "neighbors" had them going... I thought it was strange but after seeing how elaborate some of the rigs are decked out with lighted palm trees and string lights galore, the running lights on seemed kind of tame...lol..

Some folks like to light up the woods on a quiet night like it’s Disney. Pretty annoying really.

[flybouy]

I can say that the lights on the trailer all night was somewhat annoying... both of my "neighbors" had them going... I thought it was strange but after seeing how elaborate some of the rigs are decked out with lighted palm trees and string lights galore, the running lights on seemed kind of tame...lol..

Some people want to celebrate and that's O.K. Some people just seek attention and that's o.k. The major issue I have with the clearance lights is on most units that center amber light ends up being just about eye level when I'm setting in my chair. That annoys me.

I have in the past asked the owner nicely if they minded if I taped over the light with painter's tape that wouldn't do any damage to the light. I've had some say no problem and others that have taken the hint and turned them off.

Years ago I bought a 7 way light tester that was in a clearance bin. Don't recall the maker don't have it handy to look. It's a tube that's about the size of a tube of tennis balls. It lights all the lights on the outside and if you flip a switch it flashes all the lights, clearance and brake lights as an emergency flasher. Never had to abandon nthe trailer have never used it that way.

[Sarge2]

The TT next to me had that big old smiley face of led running lights on the front... had to have nearly blinded the camper across from his... fortunately it was a large tent and they had all the windows zipped...lol

[BrooksFam]

Our camper friends and myself like lights when camping, but shut them down at bed time.

[Sarge2]

Our camper friends and myself like lights when camping, but shut them down at bed time.

Being considerate of the other campers certainly will make you more friends..I think had they shut them down when they went to bed would have been common courtesy.... Like the one camper that drove around a line of us waiting for a spot to open to pull into the dump station thinking he was going to get there first, some people have no common sense....about much of anything... needless to say, he had to pull back out and go to the back of the line...his excuse, "didn't know that all of you were waiting for someone to pull out"..DAH!!

[spade117]

I have the running lights on from dusk til bedtime. Like someone else mentioned, the bright LED awning light attracted too many bugs near the door, and is too bright sometimes depending on need, so this was one alternative. I also like the way it looks.

[RVEagle]

Have a guy telling my best friend his can’t be shut off and they are on always. I told him he was full of it but guys swears by it. Cougar 34TSB TT.
Ksupaul - our 34tsb has a switch in the pass through that turns the accent lights on and off - I guess if you don't know it's there and it was left on ............

[Gegrad]

It's more work, but you can also take an alligator clamp with a terminal on one end, clamp the alligator clamp onto your positive battery terminal and put the terminal into pin 3 on the umbilical. That also works to run the running lights. More work than just using the fuse though.

[Apperman]

Sourdough, when you’re up this way again try Johnny’s Catfish & Seafood - it’s also close to the KOA. You WON’T be disappointed!! 👍

[BrooksFam]

…………. You can get a switch that plugs into your 7 pin connector to turn lights on and off.

Just in case anyone now has an interest in doing this after all the comments :lol:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075JP5C8C/?coliid=I1OCB3OIH5NDJL&colid=FX7QC7VSKX8Y&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it