Can 2-to-3 Tail Light Converter Be Installed At Front Of Vehicle

Updated 02/04/2026 | Published 01/30/2026

Question:

The instructions for the 118158 state ..unit may be mounted at the rear of the towed vehicle. Will it also work at the front of the towed vehicle? A Honda Civic adds about 8 of additional loomed wire installed at front.

asked by: Robert S

Expert Reply:

Hey Robert! Yes, you can install the 2-to-3 Tail Light Converter # 118158 at the front of your vehicle. Physical installation location isn't important with the converter as long as it is connected to the correct wires. You can install it anywhere on the vehicle, whatever works best for you.

Are you setting up your Civic for flat towing?

expert reply by: Robin H

2-to-3 Tail Light Converter
(click to enlarge)

Robert S.

2/3/2026

My 2018 Honda Civic has been setup for flat towing since new. I installed the etrailer diode kit and has worked flawlessly ever since. The thing that has changed is my tow vehicle. My old motorhome had separate turn signal and brake light circuits, my new motorhome has combined brake light / turn signal circuits.

Richard

2/4/2026

@RobertS Nothing is “REALLY” needed in your situation other maybe the connection at the front. If you were running separate turn signal wires from the RV then your wire configuration at the connector is different or possible different connectors all together. What you will experience if you do not install the 2-3 converter is, that your brake lights on the towed vehicle will flash (just like on your RV) when that side calls for a blinker. The down side and why I said “REALLY” in my first few words is that your high mount brake lights is normally connected to either the left or right brake light. So depending on where you tied into the light system, you may end up with your high mount brake lights flashing when one or the turn signals is on. Outside of that, you should not experience any changes needed. If you do not want this situation, then the 2-3 converter is required to separate the turn signals out to separate the brake from the turn and it all depends on how much work you want to invest. On my 1999 Honda CRV I tied into the lighting system under the dash putting the converter under the hood near the brake booster. Tying in under the dash makes it much more difficult and time consuming as you have to isolate the correct wires at the correct location, but now when you turn my park lights on, on the RV, the front and rear parking lights on the toad are also on. Also, when I used turn signals, the front and rear lights flash on the toad and not just the rear. Now other vehicle can see that it is a vehicle in tow at night. Some simply use a tow bar that has lights on it as well so that you do not have vehicles trying to go in between etc. The one down side is if you use the hazards in this configuration, you also get the high mount brake lights flashing with it, but if you have the hazards on, it is just another light to draw attention to you. FYT, tying in under the dash is much more difficult and requires a higher level of electrical understanding. So I would discourage doing this unless you understand wiring diagrams and electrical system. Once again, this is not recommend if you do not understand electronics and electrical wiring diagrams.