LeadFarmer

LeadFarmer

Well-Known Member
Im after some suggestions regarding routing the 7 pin cable from my trailer board please. When I have all our bikes on my Maxxraxx they obscure the rear lights and number plate.

I want to leave my trailer board attached to the rear roof bar of my Defender so its permanantly there, as per the top photo below (not mine), but its cable wouldnt be long enough, and it would flap about and rub on the paintwork.

So, im after some suggestions for routing the cable through the inside of my Defender. Perhaps drilling a hole above the rear door to pass the cable, and then having another cable left permanently inside that goes through the floor and plugs into my towing electric socket? Then just open the rear door and connect the two cables together when needed?


rack.jpg



Heres my Defender with the bikes loaded up...

file_zps0f380554.jpg
 
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I might be wrong (and I'm prepared to be told so) but if the trailer board is permanently fixed to the vehicle then it ceases to be a trailer board and should be permanently wired into the vehicle's lighting system.
 
if its going to be there permanently, why not just wire it in permanently? this is what I would do

or perhaps with bullet connectors or owt like so it can be disconnected if nessecary
 
I would'nt drill a hole big enough for a plug but you could drill a hole were you would put a work light (like the first pic) and feed the cable threw, then wire your plug

then put a work light there if things change or a gromet there is not out off place :D
 
Good ideas:)

I guess the trailer board might only need to be in place during the summer when we are out and about with our bikes, so would only need to be there for half the year. But I would probably get lazy and leave it there?:eek:
 
I put some LED trailer lights on mine permanantly.

I went for LED, so then they dont activate the trailer tell tale. you could easily then add a high level numberplate to the back of your rack.

null-12.jpg
 
Dont the red warning triangle reflectors have to be on a trailer but must not be on a car?
 
timtheenchanteruk said:
I put some LED trailer lights on mine permanantly.

null-12.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a nice idea Tim. Thay act as a great high level brake light as well.

My bikes also obstruct my indicators and tail lights, so I would need to fix some of those up there as well. I think I will have to decide whether to go the whole hog and get all this done, or just hang the trailer board off the bikes.
 
Although a good idea I would say that anyone following closely with the sunvisors down would not see your brake lights, indicators etc as they would be staring at the bikes.

Best have them where people expect to see them I'd say:)
 
LeadFarmer said:
I am doing so, but through the summer im constantly fitting and removing the trailer board, hence why a semi permanent option would be easier.
Click to expand...

I would have them lower rather than higher as no one will see them and you may end up causing an accident. Not your fault but you know what people are like and hiding the brake lamps and indicators up there, especially when they are not the brightest of lamps, is in my opinion , not a good idea.:)
 
I would say that a high level installation is OK provided that:

1. The high level stuff is additional to the OEM installation, not instead of it and the numberplate can be clearly seen and read.

2. The lights on it work exactly as the originals do, they're wired into the vehicle system

3. It's not just a temporary trailer board hanging above the door, any trailer warning triangles would need to be removed.

4. Stop/tail lights are present along with numberplate illumination and direction indicators are as far out from the centre as practical.

Vehicles following you while you have your bikes on the back should realise that there are additional indications to compliment the original fittings.

Personally, I wouldn't wire them up to the trailer socket because of the direction indicator repeater on the dashboard and where are you going to plug your caravan into when you're carrying your bikes?
 
brian47 said:
I would say that a high level installation is OK provided that:

1. The high level stuff is additional to the OEM installation, not instead of it and the numberplate can be clearly seen and read.

2. The lights on it work exactly as the originals do, they're wired into the vehicle system

3. It's not just a temporary trailer board hanging above the door, any trailer warning triangles would need to be removed.

4. Stop/tail lights are present along with numberplate illumination and direction indicators are as far out from the centre as practical.

Vehicles following you while you have your bikes on the back should realise that there are additional indications to compliment the original fittings.

Personally, I wouldn't wire them up to the trailer socket because of the direction indicator repeater on the dashboard and where are you going to plug your caravan into when you're carrying your bikes?
Click to expand...

Problem is that if following in a low vehicle with the sun visors down (like my little Pug) the high level lights would not be seen when in traffic, its hard enough to see Ford Focus rear lamps in bright sunlight.

People look in the obvious places for lights and those may well be missed:)
 
All valid points, thanks.

brian47 said:
... and where are you going to plug your caravan into when you're carrying your bikes?
Click to expand...

I would unplug the trailer board socket as it wouldn't be needed whilst towing the caravan. Maybe the trailer board would be best attached to the bikes where it's more prominent. But I do like the idea of having additional high level lights.
 
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