Ok, so I purchased a new ARE Z Series camper for my 2006 F250. I was reluctant to let the installer wire it and almost told them just to put it on and I would wire it. This comes from too many things gone wrong when other people mess with my stuff - radio installs, warranty work, you name it! Against my better judgement I let them install the wiring because it is soooo easy. Anyway, a few days later I switched my mirrors from the paddle style to the tow style. I go out after dark to check out the turn signals in the mirror, step behind the truck to admire my work (with the left blinker going) and notice the 3rd brake light in the camper is flashing with the turn signal??!! I turn on the right turn signal and no flashing of the 3rd brake light and with hazards, the 3rd brake light flashes. I furiously and frantically remove the driver's side taillight to prove what I already know - the installer ran the 3rd brake light to the taillight instead of doing it right. I can't tell you how many people I've followed that had their 3rd brake light flashing with a turn signal and I think "man what an idiot!"

Is it too much to ask for a retailer that installs camper shells to know that since about 1997 all Ford trucks have had a light green wire that runs back to the bumper area that is there simply to allow the connection of a 3rd brake light on a camper or other shell??? On top of that, the installer used in-line splices to tap into the taillight instead of soldering and heat shrinking the connection (ok, I pretty much knew they'd do that, but they shouldn't)

So, a portion of my weekend will be spent properly soldering an extention lead onto the Ford supplied 3rd brake lead near the bumper and bringing it up into the taillight opening to connect to the camper wiring.

And they charged me $85 to set the camper in place, attach 4 clamps, and give me this type of wiring job!

Thanks for listening,
Gary

 

I know what you mean zx5go!

The less other folks touch our SD's, the better off we are.


biz

_______________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

Did you complain to the installer or dealer? They'll never learn if someone doesn't tell them ! I make them make the repair at no charge to you...that way they REALLY learn!

 

The place I bought mine from (J&J Trailers in Oakdale) installed it for free, AND used the right wire. AND soldered it.

 

I have not informed the dealer. If this wasn't something so straight forward I might have bothered. As it stands, I prefer to inform the local public of how my installation was handled.

-Gary

 

Now I am a pretty observent kind of guy,,But I have never (as of yet anyway) seen a 3rd brake light blinking, on any caps around here yet ! Now I recently purchased a Jeraco cap for my new 06' F-350, short bed (in gallery), and the installer ( Killam in South Windsor CT.)said it simply plugs in ?????,,,( I will say I have not looked at there wireing) and all works fine,,,by the way,,I have 6 clamps on my shortbed cap,,,sound's like your installer needs to learn the hard way like BPofMD said,,Good luck

 

I've never seen a 3rd light blinnking either

 

Some of the less-informed body shops around here have gotten the third brake light in spoilers to blink with one or the other taillight