Control turn signals w/o a new flasher.

[Ralph1931]

My tow rig for the TTT is a 1998 BMW Z3. It is a small car but is great to travel with as long as there are no more than two persons. Good mileage too.

BMW sort of frowns on modifications and do-it-yourselfers. Because of that, finding an adapter to control the trailer lights was impossible not to mention finding an electronic flasher to carry the extra load.

To make the car and trailer compatable without these special items was not so difficult. I created a relay bank from used 12 volt normally open single throw relays. Junk cars are full of them. At first I was going to use relays only for the left and right turn signals but decided to incorporate relays into all the running light circuits which would not increase the load (measureable load) on any of the car circuits.
George (Ralph1931)

Create a bank of 4 or even 5 relays. Provide a good 12V positive supply to all the normally off ( the swinging ones) contacts protected by a 20 amp circuit breaker. Provide a ground to all of the relay coils. On the positive side of each coil, pigtail a signal wire from the tow vehicle harness. (a wire from stop (1), tail (2), left turn (3), right turn (4) and if you wish, from the back up lights (5)). Then from each stationary contact, connect a wire to the correct trailer harness plug. I added amber lamps to each side of the trailer for the turn signals.You could use red if preferred. This relay configuration does not work with combination stop and turn signal in the same filiment. Most later model vehicles do not use the combination signals anymore. My tear is wired this way and the little BMW doesn't even know it is operating those extra lights.

[madjack]

George, that is an interesting/innovative solution to a real problem...ingenuity is a grand thing ...I'am still grinning at the thought of you and your "topless" Z3, cruisin' with the TTT, around the country......
madjack

[Tripmaker]

Hmmmmm Maybe I could pull my TD with my Miata.

[Ralph1931]

Maybe so. Bes guess is they are about the same size, weight and power.
Ralph....

[Tripmaker]

Maybe so. Bes guess is they are about the same size, weight and power.
Ralph....

If you have the six you have a bit more power than I do. I don't think either one would be much fun to drive with a TD behind it though. We had an unusually warm weekend that allowed for some top down driving, probabally the last till next spring.

[Ralph1931]

My car has the 1.99 four cyl engine. The smallest. I pulled my TTT over 7,500 miles on the maiden trip. Had not a problem. Got a whopping 27.15 Miles per gal for the entire trip. Don't shortchange your Miata unless your trailer is too heavy. Mine was 1,190 pounds wit 160 pounds on the tounge.
Ralph

[Tripmaker]

I'm not short changing the Miata. It's my baby and it gets babied. I had a 99 and traded it this spring for a new 2006. It is one sweet car. I couldn't bring myself to put a hitch on it although there are people that have. I didn't even drive the other one in bad weather and I won't this one won't either. Like I said I baby it.

[Creamcracker]

I intend pulling the teardrop (once finished) behind my 1975 MGB, and also my 2003 Mini Cooper -- not at the same time of course!

[Ralph1931]

I intend pulling the teardrop (once finished) behind my 1975 MGB, and also my 2003 Mini Cooper -- not at the same time of course!

You WILL be in style, at least in my book you will. You are the second closest TTT person to me up to now. My map says you are 127 miles to Culpeper. That is a pleasant joy ride away. We have to get together some nice day and swap tall tales and lies.
I assume by your only album photo, you are in the process... I just built mine from scratch this past March thru May. It turned out well. If I can offer any help or encouragement I would be willing to.
Ralph

[Creamcracker]

Thanks Ralph -- yeah I hope to be able to pick the brains of you guys! Especially when it comes to the electrical which I intend to keep simple as possible!
Philip