Day Running Lights on car but not on caravan?

RegG
RegG Forum Participant Posts: 17
edited September 2021 in Towcars & Towing #1

When I hitch my caravan (a 2013 Swift Challenger) onto my 2019 Land Rover Discovery 5 and connect the electrics etc, the lights on the caravan do not come on with the day running lights on the car. If I switch the car over to side or headlights (manual selection) the lights on the 'van come on. I have seen other Discovery 5's running on DRL's with the lights working on the caravan.

Could this be a wiring fault by the tow bar fitters or is there a setting on the D5 I need to implement?

Any help appreciated.

Comments

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited September 2021 #2

    Why do you need them on the caravan? Anyone can see you coming by the DRL's on the car. By "side" I presume you mean "parking" lights. The days when you should drive with only the parking lights on are long gone. DRL's are normally a separate setting in the onboard computer and no connection with the parking or head lights.

    My car has factory fitted towbar and electrics, and DRL's on the car but not the caravan. 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2021 #3

    My car and caravan combination acts the same as yours R.

    Only when I switch on the lights for all the car (side and full) does the caravan lights come on. 

    If you're worried about being seen back there then keep the side lights on all the time?

     

  • boza d and d
    boza d and d Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited September 2021 #4

    Hi RegG does your disco have front and rear day running lights ? I think the caravan only comes on with vehicles that have front and rear day running lights . My Rexton has and |I have lights on my caravan as soon as its hitched up ..

    I do prefer the lights on caravan at all times ..

     

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2021 #5

    I'm pretty sure my caravan's lights only come on with my car's side lights. The DRLs are completely separate. 

    @Nutsy ... people have called them side lights forever. My "parking lights" only operate on one side if the car or the other. 

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited September 2021 #6

    DRL's are a completely separate circuit and lights, on a newer vehicle, than your side and headlights.

    Vehicles that have rear DRLs use the tail lights for that purpose and, as they are part of the main lighting circuitry the caravan lights also come on. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2021 #7

    I don't have DRLs cry

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2021 #8

    You're not missing much .... you still have the option of turning your lights on with the switch 👍

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited September 2021 #9

    ED - I do know that, but unfortunately there are still dinosours out there who think its ok to drive in fog, snow, rain or dusk with only pathetic little "sidelights" on. That is why I referred to them as "parking lights" - because that is all they are intended to be.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2021 #10

    I knew you knew that 😉 ... 

    DRL lights now highlight a different group of numpties, ie those who drive with just front DRLs when it's pitch black outside and presumably wonder why people behind are flashing them. Also AUTO lights .... during a foggy day, they drive without lights cos they're too stupid to manually turn their lights on.

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #11

    I just turn mine on or off as I see fit according to current circumstances.

    Forget automatic - use the switch on the steering column as appropriate.

    Saves others from having to call me a 'Numpty'.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2021 #12

    my tow car does not have an OFF position on the light switch 😉 but I do check up on the AUTO bit to make sure they're on when they should be.