Virginia State Inspection Potential Issue

By the way this ol' Virginia boy understands our commonwealth inspection rules is:

If a trailer has brakes, or is over a GVWR of 3000 lbs., then it needs the VA. inspection.

If a trailer is rigged for back-up lites, then they need to be functioning. A lot of trailers do not have back up lites, and they pass through inspection OK.

My personal observation is that you have your trailer inspected at a station that also does motor vehicles, then they use the TV as the power source for your lites. If you use a dedicated trailer inspection station, then they will usually hook you up to their own power source.....a battery on a cart with a bunch of switches for the various functions, including brakes.

Chap

Originally Posted by Virginia Deacon

Yesterday, during state inspection, discovered that TrailManor backup lights didn’t work and that this can be an issue resulting in failure to pass inspection.

The wiring of the plug on the tow vehicle was the real issue. It was never wired for backup lights.

Not To Bring Back An Old Thread....But

I Had This Same Problem, Bought My TM From A Dealer In Ohio And Their Wiring Guy Never Wired Up The Back-Up Lights ???

This Wasn't Hard To Correct But I Would Think That Would Be A Requirement For Dealers To Do.

It's A 7 Pin Plug And They Only Run 6 Wires ?? I Do Not See Their Logic

[Caver]

Originally Posted by Virginia Deacon

Yesterday, during state inspection, discovered that TrailManor backup lights didn’t work and that this can be an issue resulting in failure to pass inspection. I asked inspector why TrailManor passed inspection last year, but not this year. He said it depends on “how the unit is presented,” according to Virginia State Police who regulate inspections. Last year, TrailManor was unhooked from tow vehicle; this year, it was left hooked to tow vehicle.

In my yearly Virginia trailer inspection this summer - the inspector checked the backup lights on the TM for the first time. Fortunately I had made sure they worked prior to the inspection. Since they get little use I had to rotate the backup light bulbs in their sockets to get them to work. Since neither backup light worked I thought perhaps they were not wired for the Tahoe I had wired these myself in the previous TV and they had worked fine.

Good luck! Ray

[wbmiller3]

I finally got around to checking mine after we got back from a trip earlier this month. They did work, although they are not really helpful for backing up (I never even noticed that they existed before). Admittedly I try to plan not to arrive after dark so it's rare that I'd have the chance.

Originally Posted by Bill

What e;se was never wired? You MAY be able to get away without backup lights, but if running lights, for example, are not there, it can be serious.

Bill

That's why I check my lights every time I hook up -- running lights, tail lights and brake lights. I never thought of backup lights, so I'll add that to my check. There've been a couple of times my plug wasn't in tight enough, and worked loose (I think I've got that ironed out now), so I check running lights periodically while towing (easy to see in the mirror), especially after the first few miles, as well as the connection and brake indications on my controller.

[mjlaupp]

FYI
My F250 came with an adapter package for the trailer brake controller. Contents were a wiring harness pigtail and a backup light relay. The relay must be installed to enable backup lamp power to the 7 pin connector.
Mike

Originally Posted by wbmiller3

Interesting...we don't have state inspection for trailers in the Lone Star State. But I'll check the backup lights anyway.

My 2006 3024KS came with a inspection sticker. From what I understand from the dealer it is new fro the state and for some trailers not the smaller ones but I do not what the cutoff is.
Thanks

[MudDog]

After reading this thread I checked my backup lights and sure enough they weren't wired. Since they are provided I figured it would be nice to have them work for a bit more light when backing in at night and to warn anyone behind me that I do actually have it in reverse. I may eventually look into auxilary backup lights.

I read up on which pin needed to be wired and spliced a new wire going from the TV's backup wire (backup lights are on the rear lift door rather than in the tail-light assembly) to the center pin on the Bargman plug.

Was a bit perplexed when only one of the backup lights on the TM would come on. Swapped bulbs and still only the one side came on.

Searched the forum for light issues and based on results suspected a ground short on the side that was not coming on. The backup light only had one hot wire going into it and was using the bracket itself for ground. There's no visible wire connecting the metal backup light bracket to the tail-light bracket that does have a ground wire, but when I turned the screw on the backup-light bracket a couple of turns tighter, the light came on (either the ground must be behind the assembly, or relies on the TM skin itself?)

I'm a new TM owner and am learning a lot from this forum and appreciate all of the experience and advise that's posted here!

I have had some problems with power to the barious bulbs on the back of the TM. Mostly it was just a poor contact in the socket.

However, once once I traced it down to a poor connector in the bundle of wires behind the fridge, accessible from outside by popping the covers off.

I mention this for those that are not handy in tracing electrical problems. They mind find this thread looking for help.

Mud dog
Your assumption is correct. TM uses the external Aluminum layer as the ground for the trailer lighting. The sheet metal screws that hold/ground the fixtures can develop a little corrosion and not provide a good ground. By turning the screw, you cleaned the connection and reconnected the ground. This would be the first place to check ( after burned out bulb) any time you have a light out. It is just as important to keep the other end of the connection ( main ground to TM skin ) clean and tight as well.

This also explains why the radio needs an external antenna as it is surrounded by an large metal grounded shield.