Re: EM 40 and Trailer Board

[marconi]

Thanks Caraman, that worked found it behind the bottom draw in the end wardrobe.

Checking underneath noted that the plywood of the rear panel is blown so will get them to look at that as well!

Oh Great, good thinking Caraman.

Now we know the Broadway truly does have a VLM5 and where to tell people to find it.

[Firedecisions]

Yes!!

[Mids]

Hi firedecisions  also in the new forest with our trailer board fitted

[Firedecisions]

Thanks for your help on this, purchased the cable from Auto Sleeper and fitted into the VLM5 very easily ( now I know where it is) and the lighting board is working fine on the cycle rack.  Added bonus is that now I have had a good look, what looked like delamination is the inner plastic skin on the rear bumper so no issues there.

[Mids]

Glad you have no issues.could you check your control panel when you have a moment .see if the auto fill is coloured  green when off then blue when on.i have had to have a new one.was sure it was greyed out when off on the old one. Waiting a reply from Sargent..dies seem to be working ok

[Firedecisions]

Hi Mid
Automatic tank fill is greyed out when not in use, when whale pump connected and button activated its blue and green when filling.  Hope this helps

[Caraman]

Hi Mid
Automatic tank fill is greyed out when not in use, when whale pump connected and button activated its blue and green when filling.  Hope this helps

Shouldn't this have gone into this thread:
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[Mids]

Thanks that's what mine does.i was sure ou original  panel was only grey and blue no green.

[Mids]

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[Mids]

Problem now solved can use bike rack with a cover. Can see lights and number plate all legal

[rogerblack]

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You may wish to note the comments regarding triangular reflectors on this post if you wish to be fully legal.
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[Mids]

I think you will find that triangular  ones are fine because  it is not actually  attached to the bikes

[marconi]

I think you will find that triangular  ones are fine because  it is not actually  attached to the bikes

 
Triangular reflectors denote a trailer, something that is towed by the vehicle not a cycle rack that is attached to the vehicle.

[Mids]

Actually  this is neither .at least people  can now see my lights and number plate.dont think a  triangle  or  rectangle.  Is really worth  worrying  to much about.

[rogerblack]

I think you will find that triangular  ones are fine because  it is not actually  attached to the bikes

I know you'll find that your statement above is wrong.

"The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989
...

(b) No vehicle, other than a trailer or a broken-down motor vehicle being towed, may be fitted with triangular-shaped rear reflectors."

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I hope this helps.

[marconi]

Actually  this is neither .at least people  can now see my lights and number plate.dont think a  triangle  or  rectangle.  Is really worth  worrying  to much about.

Well its up to you of course, as far as I am concerned the law is the law, its not open to personal interpretation, your installation is not a trailer. Is it worth saving 70p per reflector when the fixing holes are the same spacing for rectangular reflectors and you can even use the same fixing screws.

[Mids]

Many  autosleeper  owners with new models have been on this forum  talking about the problem  with the new lights  and the bike rack .bikes covering the lights and the bike rack covering the number plate. Regardless  of right or wrong shaped reflector.  A positive  or negative response  regarding the design   of my new trailer  board would  be nice it may help some people.

[Liam]

Many  autosleeper  owners with new models have been on this forum  talking about the problem  with the new lights  and the bike rack .bikes covering the lights and the bike rack covering the number plate. Regardless  of right or wrong shaped reflector.  A positive  or negative response  regarding the design   of my new trailer  board would  be nice it may help some people.

Not very helpful if they are subsequently pulled to the side of the highway by the traffic cops!!!!!

[rogerblack]

Many  autosleeper  owners with new models have been on this forum  talking about the problem  with the new lights  and the bike rack .bikes covering the lights and the bike rack covering the number plate. Regardless  of right or wrong shaped reflector.  A positive  or negative response  regarding the design   of my new trailer  board would  be nice it may help some people.

Overall, the design of your bike rack board is great, especially since it overcomes any problem if the bikes are covered.  I'm sure it will give others the idea of how to do it. 

Whether you keep the triangles is of course up to you, just doesn't seem worth the risk of being pulled over by some efficient policeman (or woman!) who may be up on the law. 
And you wouldn't want to be getting charged as an accessory if someone else gets done after copying your recommended design 

[Caraman]

I can't see how its constructed Mids but it looks an interesting design.  Time will tell how well it works.  I keep changing mine.  Currently I'm not using my cover and I just tie the lighting board to the outer bike with two short cords.  Your arrangement may not have a 12N or 13 pin plug/socket as its pretty permanent.  I went for a flying in-line 12N socket hanging from just behind the waster water drain on the rear off-side but found it was very exposed to road spray off the back wheel and over a year corroded so last week I bought a new one and hung it off the bike rack which I think will be better.     

I posted last year that I wasn't going to lose any sleep over the shape of my reflector which like yours was triangular.  But on reflection - excuse the pun! - I thought if I've gone this far by fitting the lighting board which some don't bother with, I may as well go the whole way by replacing the reflector which was easy to do.

[marconi]

Many  autosleeper  owners with new models have been on this forum  talking about the problem  with the new lights  and the bike rack .bikes covering the lights and the bike rack covering the number plate. Regardless  of right or wrong shaped reflector.  A positive  or negative response  regarding the design   of my new trailer  board would  be nice it may help some people.

My initial thoughts were:- Interesting. What is it fixed to at the van end, what happens when you fold the bike rack up, is the extension easily removable.

[Mids]

It is fitted where a tow bar would be fitted.  You fold the bike rack up as normal. If not using the bikes the whole thing can simply  be unscrewed  you are left with a t shape.(picture to follow)

[Mids]

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[Mids]

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[marconi]

It is fitted where a tow bar would be fitted.  You fold the bike rack up as normal. If not using the bikes the whole thing can simply  be unscrewed  you are left with a t shape.(picture to follow)

There are always 101 ways of skinning a cat. Everyone will work out something that suits them.

Yours seems semi permanent, by unscrewed I assume you mean un bolted.

My rack and lighting board needs to be rapidly removable when I get home, to fit the van on my drive, it folds up with the rack when bikes or box are not on it. I also like to remove the rack when not in use as sunlight and the weather rapidly degrades Fiamma gear.