Forum Discussion

Vintage465's avatar
Jul 07, 2019

Back up lights

My 2015 Creek Side did not come with back up lights. I intercepted the 7 wire cable at the front of the coach with a 4x4 weather proof box. The seven wire comes out to the left to the left. The Seven wire continues up into the coach thru the top of the box. The conduit(emt)comes out toward us in the pick and makes a right hand turn at the frame.

'Bout half way down the coach I installed a weather proof 2x4 box to add side lumination when the back up lights come on. Nice for late night arrivals.

This is the little light for side lumination. There is a matching one on the other side of the coach. You can see the LB I installed to facilitate a conduit tap to go to the other side of the coach.

I mounted the back up lights to the bottom of my tool boxes. Ran conduit across the back of the coach. Put another 2x4 weather proof box to drop the wire out for the left b/u light.

This is a close up. These lights are 1250 lumens and cost $44.00 from Northern Tools. The side lights are 1050 lumens and cost $15.00 from Northern. The back ones are so much better. I may change the side ones when I get a few other projects done.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    GordonThree wrote:
    Nice work, conduit and junction boxes look great.

    I have the same lights on my back bumper. Adding a side light on either side is on the Todo list.

    Probably illegal in many states but mine are on a switch so they're available if I'm in park, or drive, trying to line up, hook up, pack up, etc.

    A tip for the future, upgrade the bolt that couples the light to the bracket to stainless steel, and put a little anti-sieze on it.


    If they are wired to the Backup light circuit and only come on when backing not likely illegal. I would have aimed the side lights backwards about 45 degrees.
  • Technically you'd just need to cover the "off road lights" when on the public roadway ... if anyone got their nose out of joint

    I was referring to the legality of being able to switch my trailer's backup lights on manually, without using a transmission interlock, which is another DOT no-no apparently.
  • opnspaces wrote:
    Nice looking job. I did LED side lights on my trailer. Sure they are probably not legal, but they only come on when i switch to reverse, so I don't anticipate too much chance of attracting attention on the road.


    That was my thought as well. I figure there are plenty of "real law breakers" out there that need the police's attention and my side back up lights are pretty small potatoes in the big scheme of things. 'course, I could get out of state at some kind of vehicle inspection and it might be a big deal to them!
  • Nice looking job. I did LED side lights on my trailer. Sure they are probably not legal, but they only come on when i switch to reverse, so I don't anticipate too much chance of attracting attention on the road.
  • Just not street legal, I'd bet. Once you're off road, the federales don't get a say.
    Nice work!
  • Yup, figured the side lights are not legal. Best of my recollection, all the bolts I used are Stainless. Didn't use never seize though.
  • Nice work, conduit and junction boxes look great.

    I have the same lights on my back bumper. Adding a side light on either side is on the Todo list.

    Probably illegal in many states but mine are on a switch so they're available if I'm in park, or drive, trying to line up, hook up, pack up, etc.

    A tip for the future, upgrade the bolt that couples the light to the bracket to stainless steel, and put a little anti-sieze on it.

About DIY Maintenance

RV projects you can tackle on your own with a few friendly pointers.4,352 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 20, 2025