A tow vehicle operating system is provided for wirelessly connecting a first lighting system of a towing vehicle to a second lighting system of a towed vehicle. A wireless transmitter on the towing vehicle broadcasts a linking signal having an identification code and an associated data indicating a present status of lights of the towing vehicle based on an illumination signal from the towing vehicle, over a selected one of a plurality of distinct channels or frequencies. A wireless receiver on the towed vehicle receives the linking signal and verifies the identification code, and transmits an acknowledgement signal to the transmitter, thereby locking in the selected channel or frequency for a wireless communication between the first and second lighting systems. Lights of the towed vehicle are operated in response to the associated data of the linking signal.