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LED Trailer Lights
Newer vehicles use more sophisticated electronics and controls to manage trailer lights. These more complex systems don't always play nicely with LED trailer Lights. Before purchasing bike rack lights it's good to understand these scenarios.
If you don't want to read all these words, please give us a call; Contact Us Page.
Our goal is for all our lights to work "plug and play" with all vehicles. Unfortunately all vehicles are different so this is not always the case. Sometimes the light affects vehicle operation and sometimes the vehicle affects our light operation.
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Some towing features prevent our single 16" sequential light bar from "resetting" between flashes. Not resetting results in the loss of the sequential turn feature and the whole light flashes or blinks. It still communicates to traffic behind the vehicle but does not indicate direction. Some vehicles like the Ford and Tesla Model Y lose most light functionality on this sequential light. Solutions do exist including using one of our double lights or our Signal Relay Adapter.
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Some vehicles will recognize the bike light is installed and think it's a trailer. This can result in adjustments or changes to some warning features such as lane detection.
LED trailer lights consume a very small amperage or amp draw. Newer vehicles with OEM tow packages can see this small amp draw as an error in the trailer light circuit or as a blown out bulb. This can cause functionality issues like the turn signals flashing quicker and error messages or fault warnings on the dash. Quick flashing signals can mess up the sequential turn function of the single 16" sequencing rack light causing it to only flash on and off. This issue can also be caused when the signal voltage does not fully cycle power to zero volts. Solutions do exist including using one of our double lights or our Signal Relay Adapter.
We don't have a complete list but these issues are common on vehicles with OEM or factory installed tow packages on newer American manufacturers like Ford and Chevrolet/GMC and European vehicles including BMW and Audi.
Ford vehicles have seen the most issues with our lights. There are some solutions but normally with the limited functionality as mentioned above. We're happy to discuss these options so feel free to reach out to us. Full size Ford vehicles from 2016 to 2020 have the limited functionality where the turn signal flashes the entire light instead of sequencing. On 2021+ full-size Ford (F-Series, Expedition, Transit, etc.) the lights do not function at all. 2021+ Mid-size Fords (Ranger, Explorer, Bronco and Maverick) the light has full function except for the sequential turn sign where the whole light just flashes.
We launched Double Lights that work like standard trailer lights and properly on Fords, Tesla Model Y and most other vehicles. Our double lights are an excellent choice to protect your ride.
Solutions
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For flashing turn signals or the mentioned Ford and Tesla issues, we need to isolate the vehicle's electrical system from the lights. This can be done in two ways either by wiring directly from the light signals or by adding relays between the trailer connection and the light. Check out our Signal Relay Adapters.
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For low amp draws and error messages/warnings on the dash, install a 7 way to 4/5 way LED adapter which has resistors built-in that may resolve the issue. This is pretty common on Audi vehicles. You can also add your own resistors to the circuit but it's a little more tricky. Here are some links to 7 Way to 4/5 Way Adapter with Built-in Resistors:
If you have any questions or need help with installation or anything else, please contact us. It's also helpful to search your vehicle and trailer LED lighting issues. You might find forums with valuable information.
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