Towing with the Elise - yes, no joke - LotusTalk

Philip · 10-03-2009, 05:09 PM

Greetings.
Since I now have a double set of tires (street & track) I am planning on towing a very light trailer (120 lbs) with my track tires on it (and a few tools.) The whole thing should not exceed 200 lbs.
Anyways... the trailer came with electrical connections so it can show when I brake, blink right/left, have my lights on.

Now for the trick question, anyone can indicate to me how to connect those 4 wires to the Elise? I figure I can piggy-back from the trunk and I can also figure it out by myself but if anyone has done this before...

Thanks!

Southernguy · 10-03-2009, 05:15 PM

I am more curious on how you are rigging up the hitch

jasper · 10-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Phils done it, and i looks feasible

check out BOE

turbophil · 10-03-2009, 05:53 PM

I've built a bunch of tow bars for the elise/exige, FWIW.

Info in my sig that links to the LT thread and then a few pics on BOE site... It's doable. I tow a trailer all over the place with tires, tools, jack, tents, and chairs and I'm sure it weighs over 200 lbs. No step too big for a stepper

Best,

Phil

TheViper · 10-03-2009, 06:01 PM

You could splice into the brake and indicator wiring and route the wires though the rectangular hole that most (not all) cars have above the rear license plate. One word of caution, the resistance of an additional indicator bulb may cause the flashing rate to change.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip

Greetings.
Since I now have a double set of tires (street & track) I am planning on towing a very light trailer (120 lbs) with my track tires on it (and a few tools.) The whole thing should not exceed 200 lbs.
Anyways... the trailer came with electrical connections so it can show when I brake, blink right/left, have my lights on.

Now for the trick question, anyone can indicate to me how to connect those 4 wires to the Elise? I figure I can piggy-back from the trunk and I can also figure it out by myself but if anyone has done this before...

Thanks!

British_Marques · 10-03-2009, 06:56 PM

Big negative there on the splicing. Our Lights (LEDS) do not like the scotch locks. The stock '05 lamps are okay, though. A way to do it is, sans the third brake light and use that for your trailer brake lamps, signal are okay as they are not LED. Or you can cut and solder into the LEDS wire harness and all will be good. I hope this little tid bit helps.

Philip · 10-04-2009, 10:14 AM

"Sans the third brake light"? What exactly do you mean by that?

Thanks

PS: and yes, I am using the BOE tow bar. I just received it 3 days ago. I'll take pics of the install but it looks fairly easy.
If you access another part of this site: BOE TOWING BARS- VERY limited Supply

You can see how it is installed.I also just noticed that TurboPhil did not install the electrical system which came with the Harbor Freight trailer. Maybe I do not need it as well but since I'll do some late evening back traveling (back from the track) perhaps just installing some battery powered red lights would be enough... I'll think about it.

DrTurbo · 11-06-2009, 12:52 PM

I just got a BOE tow bar too. How did you end up wiring your trailer lights? I have a 2006 Exige so all the tail lights are LED. I don't want to mess anything up when I tap in for the trailer lights.

Thanks,

Dan

Philip · 11-09-2009, 01:37 PM

Well, after reading the possible troubles that awaits someone wanting to tap off LED lights/circuits, I decided that it would be much more convenient to attach my own set of LED lights to the trailer. So I went to a bike shop and got 4 bicycle lights. The ones I got have 5 LEDs each. I turn them on by default (even in day time) as I drive. The batteries, it states, last over 70 hours of "on" time.

I attach them with velcro. I drove with that set up over 300 miles 3 weeks ago and did not lose any. ;-) This is very simple and headache free.

I also taped reflective tape all around the trailer.

spf4000 · 11-09-2009, 02:02 PM

Trailers need working brake lights per CA regulation:

Quote:

Trailer Lights

Trailers in California are required to have reflectors, tail lights, brake, and license plate lights. Also, signal lights are required if the tow vehicle lights are hidden. Trailers over 80 inches wide must have clearance lights. Most manufacturers comply with these requirements, however, it is up to you to be sure that all lights operate correctly.

CA DMV

Philip · 11-09-2009, 04:15 PM

With the small trailer as obtained via Harbor Freight, even with the tires loaded, on the Elise (lights are fairly high) one can easily see the car's brake lights and turn signal lights. I am using the front license plate as the trailer's license plate and that can also be easily illuminated by clear LEDs. Reflectors can easily be added (glued or velcro'ed). So, yes a cop could still pull me over technically. It all depends on his or her mood that day whether or not I would get a ticket.

10-03-2009, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Philip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 11	Towing with the Elise - yes, no joke Greetings. Since I now have a double set of tires (street & track) I am planning on towing a very light trailer (120 lbs) with my track tires on it (and a few tools.) The whole thing should not exceed 200 lbs. Anyways... the trailer came with electrical connections so it can show when I brake, blink right/left, have my lights on. Now for the trick question, anyone can indicate to me how to connect those 4 wires to the Elise? I figure I can piggy-back from the trunk and I can also figure it out by myself but if anyone has done this before... Thanks!

10-03-2009, 05:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
jasper thread killer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 357	Phils done it, and i looks feasible check out BOE __________________ 2006 Exige (wife's car) 2005 Caterham Superlight (4 wheel motorcycle) 2004 Subaru STI (Urban Assault Vehicle) 1966 Lincoln Continental - in progress (dropped and chopped)

10-03-2009, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 2,545 Images: 6	I've built a bunch of tow bars for the elise/exige, FWIW. Info in my sig that links to the LT thread and then a few pics on BOE site... It's doable. I tow a trailer all over the place with tires, tools, jack, tents, and chairs and I'm sure it weighs over 200 lbs. No step too big for a stepper Best, Phil __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 280whp/180wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| BOE Fuel Surge System \| BOE Lotus Tow Package See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 9/25/2009* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing... *Whoever thought working on a Lotus is hard, clearly hasn't tried it. Pick up a wrench and get some grease under your nails*

10-03-2009, 06:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
British_Marques Elise...Best Daily Driver Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 496	Big negative there on the splicing. Our Lights (LEDS) do not like the scotch locks. The stock '05 lamps are okay, though. A way to do it is, sans the third brake light and use that for your trailer brake lamps, signal are okay as they are not LED. Or you can cut and solder into the LEDS wire harness and all will be good. I hope this little tid bit helps. __________________ 2005 Elise, Starlight Black/Red, Modified tilting clam, driving lamps, LED Tail lamp set, hybrid longtail/ and hardtop, Exige rear wing, radio delete, air bag delete, Custom Leather & Alcantra binacle, UK steering wheel, HVAC controller relocated, UK ECU, Carbon mirrors side mirrors, Zoom carbon rear view mirror, and Cup Wheels & Tires. Last edited by British_Marques : 10-03-2009 at 07:03 PM.

11-09-2009, 01:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
Philip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 11	Brake lights for the trailer off the Elise Well, after reading the possible troubles that awaits someone wanting to tap off LED lights/circuits, I decided that it would be much more convenient to attach my own set of LED lights to the trailer. So I went to a bike shop and got 4 bicycle lights. The ones I got have 5 LEDs each. I turn them on by default (even in day time) as I drive. The batteries, it states, last over 70 hours of "on" time. I attach them with velcro. I drove with that set up over 300 miles 3 weeks ago and did not lose any. ;-) This is very simple and headache free. I also taped reflective tape all around the trailer.

10-03-2009, 05:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Southernguy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 112	I am more curious on how you are rigging up the hitch

10-04-2009, 10:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Philip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 11	"Sans the third brake light"? What exactly do you mean by that? Thanks PS: and yes, I am using the BOE tow bar. I just received it 3 days ago. I'll take pics of the install but it looks fairly easy. If you access another part of this site: BOE TOWING BARS- VERY limited Supply You can see how it is installed.I also just noticed that TurboPhil did not install the electrical system which came with the Harbor Freight trailer. Maybe I do not need it as well but since I'll do some late evening back traveling (back from the track) perhaps just installing some battery powered red lights would be enough... I'll think about it.

11-06-2009, 12:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
DrTurbo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3	I just got a BOE tow bar too. How did you end up wiring your trailer lights? I have a 2006 Exige so all the tail lights are LED. I don't want to mess anything up when I tap in for the trailer lights. Thanks, Dan

11-09-2009, 04:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Philip Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 11	With the small trailer as obtained via Harbor Freight, even with the tires loaded, on the Elise (lights are fairly high) one can easily see the car's brake lights and turn signal lights. I am using the front license plate as the trailer's license plate and that can also be easily illuminated by clear LEDs. Reflectors can easily be added (glued or velcro'ed). So, yes a cop could still pull me over technically. It all depends on his or her mood that day whether or not I would get a ticket.

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