Tow Bar Wiring to Flat Tow a 2002 Chevy Silverado Behind a Dump Truck

Published 04/11/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 4-Way Flat Connectors

(3400)

$85.90

Pollak Heavy-Duty, 4-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector - Metal - Trailer End

(117)

$10.46

Roadmaster Universal Magnetic Tow Lights with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(44)

$86.53

Roadmaster Single Park Light Diode

(132)

$22.34

Question:

Hi, I four-down tow my Silverado behind my dump trucks. Currently, Im using a Towmate wireless tow light bar on the back of my pick-up and Id like to switch to using the diode kit. The problem is, all my dump trucks use 4-pole round connectors. Is part #: RM-154 the one that would go to my Silverado? If so, would it still work if I connected a 4-pole round connector in place of the 4-way flat connector? Also, since I tow my vehicle locally, I leave it on and in neutral while towing it I do plan on buying a driveshaft disconnect when my budget allows me. My pick-up has that sensor that turns the lights on as soon as it senses its too dark outside. Lets say Im towing my pick-up and the taillights/turn signals are being powered by the dump truck. Its starts to turn dark and the sensor turns on the headights/running lights on the truck. Would there be a conflict on the diode kit if the wire from the dump truck AND the wire from the pick-up truck were both active?

asked by: Erick M

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you replaced the 4-Way flat connector on the Diode kit # RM-154, you would just have to make sure it was wired to match what your dump trucks require. But yes, it will work. You could use 4-Way round trailer end # PK11402.

Given the automatic lights on your truck it could cause some back feeding issues. You would either need to use 2 additional diodes # RM-690 for one, on the wires running from the running light circuit from the dump truck to the diodes included with # RM-154, forward of the # RM-154 diodes or use a different kit such as # RM-2120.

Light kit # RM-2100 already has a 4-Way round connector and it would bypass the vehicle wiring so there would not be an issue with back feeding.