Forum Discussion

goducks10's avatar
goducks10
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014

Backup lights

Added some backup lights a few weeks ago. We went camping about 3 weeks ago and arrived at night. Had trouble seeing what was happening with the wife waving a flashlight around:). I had these laying around from my MC days and never added them to the MC.
So I put them on the back of our 5'er. They are 55W driving lights. They came with all the mounting brackets and switch. I ran the wiring along the door side of the 5'er and wire tied it to the frame. Then ran a fused wire from a battery to the switch. I them installed the rocker switch in the propane compartment since that is the only door that doesn't have a key lock on it. Plus the wife can get out on her side and flip the switch easier.
I didn't want to use the trucks backup wiring in the 7-pin plug cause I wanted them on when driving forward. I angled them down and to the outside a little.
We went camping this last weekend and once again arrived in the dark. Flipped the lights on and bingo. They lite up about 4' to the side and about 8' behind. I had no trouble seeing where to back in.


In case anyone is wondering what those square tubes clamped on to the bumper are, they're for a bike rack.

9 Replies

  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    Best thing I have found for backing into a site at night is masking tape and shop rags. I tape the shop rags over the TV stop, tail, and reverse lights.

    The reflection off the front of the trailer blinds me from seeing anything beyond that point without the rags.
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Feb 25, 2014
    I did something similar, but with two little cheapie LED (white) fog lights and mounted them on little round magnets. I made up a pigtail that plugs into the trailer wiring socket.

    Being magnetic mount I can place and angle them anywhere I want.
  • spike99's avatar
    spike99
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    .

    You do great work. Thanks for sharing (and for providing picture)

    Only thing I recommend is manual switch's OFF position is down. Thus, any road bumps would flip switch to off. If down is ON and one hits a bump, the rear lights could "accidentally" flip on. If kids around and they like to flip switches (like my kids - LOL!), suggest pulling its 12V fuse. And, only install the 12V fuse before the road trip.

    Other then these minor items, you do great work! Thanks for sharing...
  • Gonzo42's avatar
    Gonzo42
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    I certainly hope you used a relay and didn't wire directly. I see you have a fuse and that's a good call. Explosive proof switches are easy to find.
  • fmattox73's avatar
    fmattox73
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    Not trying to find fault, and don't take this the wrong way, but I seriously
    doubt that the rocker switch inside the propane cabinet is "Explosion Proof".
    Be sure to tell the wife to smell for gas leaks BEFORE turning on the switch.
  • pinesman's avatar
    pinesman
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    Those look like the lights I used but I ran my wire all the way to the junction box where I could hook to the wire in the pigtail. Mine come on whenever the truck goes in reverse.
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    Good idea about the switch in the unlocked compartment but we have tongue mounted tanks. The water heater door can be padlocked but I have never seen one locked.
    We keep our spare keys hidden in ours .
    Back-up lights is on my short list-thanks for the ideas :)
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    sch911 wrote:
    I like your lights but not your bike rack. Get a rear hitch installed and go with a receiver style bike rack. Don't ask me why I know this!


    Bike rack won't go anywhere. It's a Northwood built frame not a Lippert and the bumper is solidly welded to the frame. There used to be a spare tire mounted on the bumper. I really doubt that two 20lb bikes are any worse. After close to 5000 towing miles last year over some bumpy roads, everything's holding up perfectly.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    I like your lights but not your bike rack. Get a rear hitch installed and go with a receiver style bike rack. Don't ask me why I know this!

About DIY Maintenance

RV projects you can tackle on your own with a few friendly pointers.4,382 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 24, 2025