Third Brake Lights

[GaRailroader]

Anyone given thought to how the CHMSL (fancy DOT speak for the 3rd brake light) is wired if it is mounted in the tailgate? I'm assuming the tailgate is removable like every other pickup truck is equipped. I'd think there is a durability issue using wire harness and connector. Hopefully it is spring-loaded mechanical contacts?

And I'm not sure such placement meets the Federal regs for a CHMSL considering pickups are often driven with the tailgate down or removed.

🤔

The back-up camera is on the tailgate also so there was already wiring going to that but it does seem like it would be vulnerable.

 

[E90400K]

The back-up camera is on the tailgate also so there was already wiring going to that but it does seem like it would be vulnerable.

Right! I forgot about the camera. That's perplexing as well. My H3T has the camera mounted in the bumper in a hard steel nodule. The CHMSL is above the rear glass.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Hopefully it is spring-loaded mechanical contacts?

I would rather see a simpler, cheaper and more reliable hardwired connection over contacts that can corrode with exposure to the elements.

 

[E90400K]

I would rather see a simpler, cheaper and more reliable hardwired connection over contacts that can corrode with exposure to the elements.

If it was just a brake light I wouldn't worry to much, but a video feed would need wire. It still seems like a hard path to go down but I guess other manufacturers do it as well since there are locking tailgates that work off the central locking system. Maybe I'm just beeing dinoboomer about it. Lol.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

If it was just a brake light I wouldn't worry to much, but a video feed would need wire. It still seems like a hard path to go down but I guess other manufacturers do it as well since there are locking tailgates that work off the central locking system. Maybe I'm just beeing dinoboomer about it. Lol.

I’m sure we’ll get our answers in the upcoming Chilton’s / Haynes manuals #DIY.