Troubleshooting Malfunctioning Hopkins Wireless Magnetic Tow Lights

Updated 08/12/2024 | Published 07/31/2024

Question:

I cant get my wireless tow lights to work on a 2019 F550 Ford Chassis RV. I used the Hopkins Magnetic Tow Lights - Red LEDs - 4-Way Flat Connector - Wireless Part Number: C6304. I tried 2 different RV manufacturers using the Ford F550 Chassis. One was a 2019 Renegade Veracruz and the other was a 2024 Entergra Esteem XL. Neither would work with the Hopkins wireless lights. I would get an intermittent flash of a turn signal or an intermittent one-light on the 4-way flasher, but there would be no brake lights or running lights. The lights do work on the Ford F450 chassis vehicles. Any ideas?

asked by: George C

Expert Reply:

Hey George,

If you're not getting the correct signals to come across to the lights for the Hopkins Magnetic Tow Lights # C6304 you're either facing a signal issue or the batteries in the lights are low, causing them to malfunction. I would check the batteries first since this is the easiest troubleshooting step.

As for the signal issue, where exactly are you placing the transmitter? Do the motorhomes where you have issues with it have something in the way that could be causing interference? Are there other electronic accessories on those motorhomes that could be putting out the same frequency signal, blocking the connection between the transmitter and lights?

expert reply by: Kevin C

George

8/1/2024

Kevin C The batteries are new. The Hopkins wireless tow lights work when using a car or a Ford F450 RV to power them. They don't work when plugged into a Ford F550 chassis, and I did try 2 different F550 both had the same results.

Kevin C.

8/9/2024

@George How old are your lights? If you've had them for longer than a year and half you likely have the older version that isn't compatible with PWM wiring, which started popping up in Ford and Chevy trucks around 2020. PWM wiring essentially sends pulses of voltage to activate different functions using the same wire. Because of this there isn't a constant 12 volts running to the transmitter, giving you the intermittent flashing and lack of function. We ran into this a bunch with camera systems in the past so it's likely the issue you're facing now. If you do have an older model I recommend reaching out to Hopkins to have them warranty you a newer model to that would work with PWM wiring to solve the issue.

Grumpytoo

8/9/2024

@KevinC I have had my wireless device for more than a year and a half. The RV dealership contacted Hopkins, the manufacturer of the wireless system. This is according to the RV dealership. Hopkins sent the dealership the latest and most updated wireless product. It didn't work either. The Ford truck did work with a hard wired tow lights. I called the service department of the local dealership who had no idea what I was talking about. There is so many menus on the truck no one, including me could find anything that would help.

Kevin C.

8/12/2024

@Grumpytoo If getting enough voltage to properly power the lights isn't the problem the only other issue could be that there's something else on those motorhomes that uses the same frequency and is causing communication issues between the transmitter and lights. Personally, I would just switch wired lights to avoid the issue, but you can try looking at some of the other electronics on the motorhome so see if they transmit information via radio frequency and see if that frequency is the same as the lights.