Putting lights on bike rack

[TCretro]

I have a 2026 Hybrid xlt base. I use a 2 place bike rack for my 2" hitch. It works fine for the purpose, but I wanted to add led lights on it to help drivers behind me see braking, turning or stopping. I used a 4 way plug but the brake and turn signals don't work because the led doesn't draw enough juice to activate the blinker. Anybody have any ideas other than wiring in load resistors. If i understand the Maverick doesn't have flasher units.

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[Hot Runr Guy]

I have a 2026 Hybrid xlt base. I use a 2 place bike rack for my 2" hitch. It works fine for the purpose, but I wanted to add led lights on it to help drivers behind me see braking, turning or stopping. I used a 4 way plug but the brake and turn signals don't work because the led doesn't draw enough juice to activate the blinker. Anybody have any ideas other than wiring in load resistors. If i understand the Maverick doesn't have flasher units.

Are you using the Ford 4-flat plug, or did you wire-in your own harness?

Also, can you provide a link or better description of the light kit you are trying to use?

HRG

 

[TCretro]

I used a 4 flat that I had in shop, not ford. This is a screen shot of the item I ordered.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

So you wired-in a 4-flat on the vehicle side, tapping into the taillight wiring? I haven't heard of anyone having success with that method. In most cases, if you don't have a factory-supplied plug, you have to install a powered light harness, similar to this;

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56567

With the light monitoring systems in today's vehicles, any change in the draw can cause a problem. It ain't the 60's anymore. The powered harness just uses a signal from the tailights, and uses vehicle power to activate the trailer/rack lights.

HRG

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I used a 4 flat that I had in shop, not ford. This is a screen shot of the item I ordered.

Is the hitch on your Maverick a factory installed hitch with wiring?

 

[notaz3]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNK1W9L3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

This is what I use on my motorcycle carrier.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Is the hitch on your Maverick a factory installed hitch with wiring?

A 2026 XLT comes with the hitch and 4-flat wiring as standard equipment. Not sure why he wired-in something else? Unless he was trying to avoid disabling the Blis system (if he has it).

HRG

 

[TCretro]

Yes it is factory hitch with a 4 way outlet. It is the 2 k version , not the 4 k.

So you wired-in a 4-flat on the vehicle side, tapping into the taillight wiring? I haven't heard of anyone having success with that method. In most cases, if you don't have a factory-supplied plug, you have to install a powered light harness, similar to this;

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56567

With the light monitoring systems in today's vehicles, any change in the draw can cause a problem. It ain't the 60's anymore. The powered harness just uses a signal from the tailights, and uses vehicle power to activate the trailer/rack lights.

HRG

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. The hitch and 4 way outlet are factory. I think ford called it the 2 k trailer package. I just used the 4 way flat plug of my own to plug into factory outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNK1W9L3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

This is what I use on my motorcycle carrier.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNK1W9L3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

This is what I use on my motorcycle carrier.

 

[TCretro]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNK1W9L3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

This is what I use on my motorcycle carrier.

Does that unit work for running lights, brake and directional as is with just plugging into your outlet.

 

[notaz3]

Does that unit work for running lights, brake and directional as is with just plugging into your outlet.

Yes, It works with running lights, as well as turn/brake.

 

[TCretro]

Yes, It works with running lights, as well as turn/brake.

Thanks, I think I'm gonna try it.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Yes it is factory hitch with a 4 way outlet. It is the 2 k version , not the 4 k.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. The hitch and 4 way outlet are factory. I think ford called it the 2 k trailer package. I just used the 4 way flat plug of my own to plug into factory outlet.

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

HRG

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Paul,
Was there a reason for not using the plug that came with the light? It looks compatible with the OEM receptacle.

 

[icegradner]

Paul,
Was there a reason for not using the plug that came with the light? It looks compatible with the OEM receptacle.

Maybe this isn't true for newer models, but on 22-24 Mavericks plugging into the trailer connectors disabled some co-pilot 360 features, for those that care about the nannies.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Maybe this isn't true for newer models, but on 22-24 Mavericks plugging into the trailer connectors disabled some co-pilot 360 features, for those that care about the nannies.

I knew that.
I was asking the OP Paul specifically why he chose not to use the OEM receptacle.

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