Using trailer plug for lights

[JohnB]

Problem: RTT over bed + bikes on hitch rack = terrible brake light visibility

Solution: modify Thule T2 Classic and add a light bar for a mere $60 that plugs into the trailer plug (fun project, I'm pretty proud of this one!)

Questions: What will plugging something into trailer plug, without towing, do? Does the light still work when not in tow mode? If tow mode is required for lights, assuming range estimate becomes unreliable, does it affect actual power consumption?

Pics to come Friday when I test it going to work!

16" 12 Red LED Trailer Light Bar https://a.co/d/a1kAOOQ

I started a Rivian Forums about a Bike Rack plug back in June:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/trailer-hitch-plug-adapter.15213/

I had the same problem with 3-4 bikes on a Yakima bike rack and folks driving behind me wouldn't see the brake lights.
So i invented my own brake/turn signal lighting system for about $12 using a 1" x 36" aluminum tube and screwing on some after-market lights from etrailer.com. Works great as it attaches to the bike rack with the Yakima straps; although when i got my R1S, i needed an adapter to get the 4-pin wire to the R1S hitch which has the RV blade. That's why i have used the MaxxHaul adapter as stated in the post.
When i have used the bike rack and the lights are plugged in, the R1S does ask if I want to stay in the 'towing' mode, but it gives me the option to Cancel. So i just touch Cancel and off I go.

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[LivingInKaos]

Me too.. Either this or the 3rd brake light accessory (speculation I hear is that will be bluetooth/battery based). I'd love to have the option to remove my camper without taking the bed apart.

I've been playing with a couple of options.

One is an accelerometer based battery powered 3rd brake light. It's meant to be used on motorcycle helmets. I have a couple models, one actually has a solar charger on it - but unfortunately that one doesn't work well.

The other is a wireless battery powered unit with a sending unit. I haven't actually installed this yet because it will still require tapping into the light circuit. They also have a physical switch that you can add to the the brake pedal, but that is no good for 1 pedal driving

 

[Riviot]

When i have used the bike rack and the lights are plugged in, the R1S does ask if I want to stay in the 'towing' mode, but it gives me the option to Cancel. So i just touch Cancel and off I go.

Driver+ and a few other things are disabled, correct? I would hate to lose those for 1800 mostly highway miles.

 

[JohnB]

Driver+ and a few other things are disabled, correct? I would hate to lose those for 1800 mostly highway miles.

i used lane warning and cruise control when i was returning this week from Up Nort. I think this capability is achieved because i hit Cancel when it asked me if i wanted to be in towing mode.

 

[Riviot]

i used lane warning and cruise control when i was returning this week from Up Nort. I think this capability is achieved because i hit Cancel when it asked me if i wanted to be in towing mode.

Regular cruise control, not ACC, yeah?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Is that any different from enabling Rear Accessory with a rack on back? Driver+ still works with that on.

I don't know the answer here because I switched over to my secondary solution and haven't tried using the 7-pin for anything but a trailer since.

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