Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wondering about the “toad” wiring cable.


For all you who are not RVers, let me define “toad”.  A toad is the vehicle that is pulled or towed behind a motor-home.  When I picked up my Class-A motor-home, the service department changed the motor-home end of the electrical cable that transmits the signals for brake lights, turn signals, flashers, and a breaking system if you have one in the toad, to match the 6 prong plug on the motor home instead of the 4 prong plug that is on my Class-C.  Now, I have to make up a new cable so that when I take the Class-C down to PPL’s sells lot, I will be able to legally tow the jeep.  That way I will have transportation back home.  Yes, I am going to let PPL Motor Homes sell it for me.  Here is a link to their site: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/used_rvs_for_sale.htm

Making up a new cable would be simple, if I had the old end that goes to the motor home as a reference, but I do not have it.  Now I need to have my wife push the brake pedal, work the turn signals, turn on the flashers, and turn the lights on in the Class-A while I check which pin on the cable is hot for each of the above.  That way I will know which pin on the Jeep end goes to each item.  Then I will have to get her to do the same thing with the Class-C so I know which ones to match up.  After all that, it will be easy to finish up the cable.  I already have the Jeep end of the cable put together, just have to figure out the RV end.  When the Class-C is sold, I can always change the RV end of the new cable back to a plug that will fit the Class-A.  That way, I will have a spare.

It is going to be in the upper 70’s here today, but is supposed to cool off by the end of the week.  Now, you all have a great day now, you hear?

10 comments:

  1. Good luck with the plug making/wiring.
    Don't let the smoke out of the wires or the lights won't work!! :-)

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  3. Dizzy, they make an adapter just like what you want to rig up. Check with the local auto parts store. Good possibility they may have one with your name on it. Otherwise, you can find one online an' Mr. Brown will deliver it to your door. Ya might check with PPL where you gonna sell the class C.

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  4. Good luck on the wiring thing, buddy!

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  5. Ben, I will sure try to keep the smoke getting out of the wires.

    BB, I got it all put together except for the RV end. It is actually easier to make up a cable than trying to find one that will fit. PPL is over an hour's drive from here, about 60 miles one way.

    Thanks HJ, shouldn't be too hard.

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  6. I had loads of fun hooking up a plug when I had an old Mercedes diesel. Lights wired different than most cars.

    Have fun. That's why they make testing equipment.

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  7. Sixbears, I always USA VOM meter to check and double check and triple check.

    Trouble, well then, sit down before you fall down.

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  8. 4 prong plug that is on a Class-C.

    LOL, some idiot put that on there.

    Go to any decent parts house and they'll give you a proper printout of a wiring diagram for a six or seven prong plug with the proper wiring codes.

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  9. BBC, No, a 4 pin came standard on the class-C and a 7-pin comes standard on the class-A. The temporary cable got fixed, and after the class-C gets sold, it will be changed to fit the class-A. Don't need a diagram, I got a VOM meter.

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