How To Power Third Brake Light On Camper Using Trailer Connector

Updated 02/04/2026 | Published 11/20/2019

Question:

Hi there, I have a snugtop sport hi-liner camper shell on order for my 2020 Toyota Tacoma trd off-road DCLB. The camper shell dealer said he’d tap into the brake light to power the shell 3rd brake light but also mentioned running power from the battery. What sorts of cables and adapters can I use to run power from the trailer plug on my truck to the camper shell? I want to avoid extra wires running from the battery and unneeded splicing. Or maybe these guys know what they’re doing and this is actually the best way but I find that hard to believe? Thanks!

asked by: Peter

Expert Reply:

If you absolutely do not want to splice into the vehicle you could use the trailer connector to power the third brake light on a truck bed camper but the issue with using the trailer connector is that the stop/turn circuits are combined. Therefore, you would need to make your own adapter using the Pacer Performance 3rd Brake Light Logic Module part # PP20-702 and the 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector part # H20042. If not, the third brake light would also flash with the turn signals but this adapter prevents that. This option would require splicing but not into the vehicle like the dealer would have to do. There would be no wires running to the battery either for the method above.

expert reply by: Conner L