| Author | Message | ||
| Syd (Sy600)
Registered Member Username: Sy600 Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 70.68.28.25 Rating: N/A |
Ok, Just bought a 1988 Prevost - a dream. It does not have an awning - any suggestions on where to start and which is the best brand? Are they relatively easy to install or is this something to leave to the pros? Secondly, I need to dinghy tow my 2000 Suburban (3/4 ton). I've heard that a Blue Ox tow bar is the way to go. Any suggestions on what would be the most recommended? I'm concerned as the bus has 24 volts. What, basically, do I need? Appreciate any and all advice! | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 349 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 208.100.193.172 Rating: N/A |
When towing our solution is a set of magnetic lights, as we tow cars , boats and flat trailers and hardly want to convert the world. 24v bulbs fit in 12v fittings , BUT the filaments are wired in reverse. What is the running light on 12 is the bright turn or break and vica veras. Happily its only a couple of min to open the wiring and reverse the leads in the base of the magnet lights. Be sure the tow bar is rated for the tank you're pulling WITH a full load of stuff in it. Zip Dee is primo, and you only get what you pay for. FF | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 127 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 68.56.32.83 Rating: N/A |
When I purchased my bus, I built a 24 to 12V adaptor with relays, dohickeys etc. I also had to add gizmos to my toad so I could use the toad tail lights. It was a fun experience and I met some nice people doing it. Today I would just use the magnetic lights with 24 volt bulbs. KISS!!! They also make wireless tailights but pricey and in total violation of the KISS rule. On tow bars you have to look at all of them and decide what works best for you. I picked the Blue OX becuse the bar stays attached to the rear of the bus.http://www.hitchtrader.com/ I have an A&E awning,I bought it at Camping World with free instalation. With buses being an oddity,I would look at what others have done with the same type of bus, befor letting someone install an awning on my bus!!! | ||
| Jim Huston (Jimh)
Registered Member Username: Jimh Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.31 Rating: N/A |
You can't go wrong with a Blue Ox! Great service. There is a blub socket you can buy to install into your tail light (need to drill a hole) so you can use a seperate blub for your tow lights. Just put a 24V blub in it and away you go. | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 372 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47  Rating: N/A |
You need a ZipDee awning, it will sit on the top of the roof curve over top the windows and clearance lights. Phone them and tell them what model of Prevost you have, lenght of the bus and if it has a roof raise and they will know what awning will fit. I installed mine and it was easy ... but I don't know how handy you are. Blueox makes a 10,000 lbs tow bar that's the one you need. With a SUV that heavy I would install a braking system also, I think M&G Engineering is the best ... I hate the brake buddy system. Ron | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 445 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
Syd, As JR says, you can use the lights on the toad with a bunch of diodes, etc. The problem with the newer cars with computer bulb failure warning is that when you add diodes to keep the circuits apart, you will get a bunch of bulb failure warnings. So, my suggestion is to go with his, and add a magnetic/vacuum mounted bar. Of more importance, is toad braking, a Sub will push you into something in an emergency. Don't forget breakaway protection, and are you certain that your vehicle is towable 4 wheels down? Last but not least, DON'T GO UNDER AN AIR RIDE BUS, or between the tires and the wheel wells, WITHOUT BLOCKING IT SECURELY AT THE JACKING POINTS! After you get done with all that, enjoy! George | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 62 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.200.121.183 Rating: N/A |
get the blue ox light kit when you buy your tow bar, It has its own wires and mounts in your tow s tailight assmbly, so it is 12 volt no need for expensive bulbs or relays ect, I have blue ox and love it, Get the one that STAYS ON THE COACH, so no one hits your tow bar at walmart, If it were mounted on your tow, JUST MY opini\on | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
i use diodes on my honda tow car,use the lights already on the car, i have never had a problem with warning lights coming on, thats what the diodes are for to isolate the bus wiring from the cars computer and it works, i can hook up in 5 mins only have to plug in the wire which is under the front of my car and go. i dont want any magnectic lights with wires running all over Frank allen | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 447 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
Frank, Syd has a 24 Volt bus, which takes much more than diodes to make it work. In the archives by now is a drawing of a system to make 12 Volt toad lights work on a 24 Volt bus. After that system is installed on the bus, then the toad must be wired. That is the reason I suggested a light bar. I don't like a cord hanging around either. In 1987 I did my first toad setup for a friend with a motorhome. It was easy, as the m/h used the same bulb for turn and brake, and the car had separate bulbs for stop and turn. So, I wired the car to use the turn bulbs for both functions. Several since have been much more complicated! Add on bulbs in the rear lights is an easy option, except that they don't line up in the reflector very well, so don't give off much light. FWIW, George | ||
| James Robinson (Jjrbus)
Registered Member Username: Jjrbus Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 68.56.32.83 Rating: N/A |
With a little imigination you can hardwire the toad for the magnetic type lights or some other type of add on light. I have seen lights added to lugage racks,bumper,inside rear window,universal sockets added to existing taillights, your imigination is the only limiting factor. its not necessary to have the wires flopping in the wind like some yahoo, just duk tape them to the toad :<( | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 758 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.173.51  Rating: N/A |
We use magnetic lights on our Grand Cherokee. I installed a "flat-four" connector under rear bumper with a 4 conductor wire to another "flat four" connector under the front bumper. When getting ready to tow, we set the magnetic lights on top of the car, plug in to the rear "flat four" connector, go to the front and plug our tow cable into the bus and the front "flat four" connector. We can also use the magnetic lights when towing something that does not match our wiring or has no lights. Jack |