Camper Top??
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
Your truck came with a third brake light. If your inspection mechanic follows the letter of the law then you MUST have a functioning third brake light on your camper since you won't be able to see the factory one anymore. Texas sucks sometimes but it's better than living in Maryland!
That rule stops applying somewhere. No truck campers come with third brake lights and I doubt everyone with one on a '92 or newer truck and camper is illegal.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Willow Grove, PA
I believe he is actually talking about a bed cap but some refer to them as "camper tops" as oposed to the actual RV type camper slide in unit. I think we are all discussing the fiberglass, composite, or aluminum caps w/ no floor that sit on the bed rail tops to keep your stuff in the bed dry like a tonue (?) cover does but at roof level or higher.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 296
Likes: 15
From: Jefferson, TX
Yup. Camper top v slide in camper. Kinda funny that the slide in's don't have 'em come to think of it.
Anyhow...after several hours of poking around and testing every wire back there, it ain't there. So I went and found circuit 511 up in the cab and ran a new wire to the bed for the stoplight. FINALLY done with this episode.
Thanks all!
Anyhow...after several hours of poking around and testing every wire back there, it ain't there. So I went and found circuit 511 up in the cab and ran a new wire to the bed for the stoplight. FINALLY done with this episode.
Thanks all!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Willow Grove, PA
Slide ins & trailers do not have third brake lights because they are not "passenger vehicles" and they fall under RV or off road catagories, or so my mechanic thinks. No real defination in his inspection book & HE doesn't want to open a can of worms w/ the PA Troopers you have to ask.
Glad to hear your done. My 97 had the wire in the harness. I think its always better to have it working than not.
Been thinking of adding a third brake light to my 30' TT up high for those who insist on following too close when I tow.
Glad to hear your done. My 97 had the wire in the harness. I think its always better to have it working than not.
Been thinking of adding a third brake light to my 30' TT up high for those who insist on following too close when I tow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
That is correct. SLide in campers are RV's. No third brake light required on them. camper shells are not RV's. They have to follow the rules of the truck. If it had it on the truck then it has to be on the camper shell. I am licensed in Pa to do state inspections and that is the rule there. Tx only cares that all the lights work. While I doubt anyone would ever say anything I wouldn't risk it myself.
I wish Tx would require headlight aiming for state inspection like Pa does. Too many idiots here trying to light up the sky. Also chevy trucks with one bulb upside down is really irritating!!!!!
I wish Tx would require headlight aiming for state inspection like Pa does. Too many idiots here trying to light up the sky. Also chevy trucks with one bulb upside down is really irritating!!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 0
From: West Texas
All these cowboys out here need to do it with their horse trailer hooked on. Seriously. Trucks just don't carry weight anymore like ours do. My almost 4000 pound camper won't even engage the overloads. And whats with these stupid blue lights? I failed every one of those I ever saw in Pa. They are illegal in almost every state. Here the law says specifically that headlights must only project white light. Pa too. I just installed a tractor light on the rear bumper of my truck just for the next idiot that rides my tail with those blue lights on.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Willow Grove, PA
How about the jackwagons who drive around w/ the high beams on, or low beams aimed as high beams, OR driving around on the DRL after dark. I think the worst thing is the illuminated dash that is lit all the time. Used to be it only lit up w/ the outside lights lit.
Agree about the blue lights as well.
Question??? Why does the 4 way flasher (when turned on) send a signal through the vehicle trailer harness to both the trailer turn signals & brake lights/trailer brakes? It causes my trailer brakes to pulse OR engage/lock up, and sends a fault to the ABS on truck as ABS light lights up every time. Is there a way to change this? Was thinking of running a seperate wire from master cyl brake switch to trailer harness IF I could be sure the 4 way doesn't feed in from somewhere else.
Agree about the blue lights as well.
Question??? Why does the 4 way flasher (when turned on) send a signal through the vehicle trailer harness to both the trailer turn signals & brake lights/trailer brakes? It causes my trailer brakes to pulse OR engage/lock up, and sends a fault to the ABS on truck as ABS light lights up every time. Is there a way to change this? Was thinking of running a seperate wire from master cyl brake switch to trailer harness IF I could be sure the 4 way doesn't feed in from somewhere else.
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FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
How about the jackwagons who drive around w/ the high beams on, or low beams aimed as high beams, OR driving around on the DRL after dark. I think the worst thing is the illuminated dash that is lit all the time. Used to be it only lit up w/ the outside lights lit.
Agree about the blue lights as well.
Question??? Why does the 4 way flasher (when turned on) send a signal through the vehicle trailer harness to both the trailer turn signals & brake lights/trailer brakes? It causes my trailer brakes to pulse OR engage/lock up, and sends a fault to the ABS on truck as ABS light lights up every time. Is there a way to change this? Was thinking of running a seperate wire from master cyl brake switch to trailer harness IF I could be sure the 4 way doesn't feed in from somewhere else.
Agree about the blue lights as well.
Question??? Why does the 4 way flasher (when turned on) send a signal through the vehicle trailer harness to both the trailer turn signals & brake lights/trailer brakes? It causes my trailer brakes to pulse OR engage/lock up, and sends a fault to the ABS on truck as ABS light lights up every time. Is there a way to change this? Was thinking of running a seperate wire from master cyl brake switch to trailer harness IF I could be sure the 4 way doesn't feed in from somewhere else.
What brand of brake controller do you have, I use to have one(draw tite IIRC) and did that, and the dealer sell a special thing that stops that, but later I bought a tekonsha MP3 and no more issues, I had to take out the special thing I had installed with the other brake controller
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
This is the part: pulse preventer
Pulse Preventer for Electric Brake Controllers Draw-Tite Accessories and Parts 5501
Pulse Preventer for Electric Brake Controllers Draw-Tite Accessories and Parts 5501
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