Hello this is my first post I would like to install led flood lights to the rear of my trailer with a separate rocker switch located near the battery in front of the trailer. My thought is that I will be able to flood the area I'm trying to back into. I would like to know thoughts on the best way to install something like this... Should I run the wire under the carriage or snaking it between the roof and ceiling?

You need first check with DOT for your state, for rules & regulations concerning this type of lighting on the back of the TT.It may not be a problem, but I believe this varies from State to State.

X2 on checking with your local DOT requirements... They have strange rules about mounting lights on the rear of the trailer as well as the rear bumpers etc. You will end up having to remove them before you can pass a safety inspection. Also any approved light on the rear of the trailer must be controlled by you going into REVERSE and not be a manual switch somewhere... It also has to have DOT APPROVED LENS as well...You might want to consider up high on the trailer mounted on the side.My fifth wheel has two of those 8-inch scare lights mounted on each side of the trailer up high. It lights the area pretty good when backing in... You can't see directly behind the trailer anyway.Another thing I do here is setup a couple of those YELLOW JUMP START battery packs that has a pretty good light on them. Just sit them on the ground pointed to where you want to see when backing up...I don't have to worry about DOT regulations using these guys... They are also handy for many things when camping off the power grid...Roy Ken

Dakota98 wrote:You need first check with DOT for your state, for rules & regulations concerning this type of lighting on the back of the TT.It may not be a problem, but I believe this varies from State to State.As long as they are not on when driving they are legal. No different than back up lights on the car or truck.

RoyB wrote:X2 on checking with your local DOT requirements... They have strange rules about mounting lights on the rear of the trailer as well as the rear bumpers etc. You will end up having to remove them before you can pass a safety inspection. Also any approved light on the rear of the trailer must be controlled by you going into REVERSE and not be a manual switch somewhere... It also has to have DOT APPROVED LENS as well...You might want to consider up high on the trailer mounted on the side.My fifth wheel has two of those 8-inch scare lights mounted on each side of the trailer up high. It lights the area pretty good when backing in... You can't see directly behind the trailer anyway.Another thing I do here is setup a couple of those YELLOW JUMP START battery packs that has a pretty good light on them. Just sit them on the ground pointed to where you want to see when backing up...I don't have to worry about DOT regulations using these guys... They are also handy for many things when camping off the power grid...Roy Ken:RRoy, thats just plain nuts.Why in the world would anyone want to waste a bunch of money and time with what essentially is rather expensive over sized flashlights.OP, ignore the flashlight people, you ARE on the right track, mounting PERMANENT lights is the way to go. In spite of what folks have already posted, rear facing white lights are no different than backup lights which are ON EVERY SINGLE MOTORIZED VEHICLE since the 1950s.The only rule that NEEDS to be observed is they MUST NOT BE MANUALLY OPERATED. They must only be "on" when in reverse. As long as you follow that rule you will not have any issues with the "authorities".Your trailer connector on your tow vehicle SHOULD already have a reverse light pin. Your trailer typically will have full 7 pin wiring so the reverse light wire should already be on your trailer (follow the trailer plug back to the trailer to find the connection box).You will simply need to add a new wire from the front of the trailer back to the rear.Take a look at a recent post on this subject where the OP went with a set of LED Auxiliary lights..HEREIt is a mod well worth doing the right way first.. instead of messing around with battery powered flashlights..

allen8106 wrote:Dakota98 wrote:You need first check with DOT for your state, for rules & regulations concerning this type of lighting on the back of the TT.It may not be a problem, but I believe this varies from State to State.As long as they are not on when driving they are legal. No different than back up lights on the car or truck.My friends Toy-Hauler has them factory installed, so thinking, as stated "As long as they are not on when driving they are legal.".MArkiemark:C

Led flood light mounted on back of trailer | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014
Gdetrailer wrote:
jjj wrote:
I mounted 2 small 50 watt driving lights under my rear molded bumper and also mounted 2 of them on the side just about 2 feet ahead of the wheels and angled them outward to shine on the ground so I can see the ground and the wheels. I mounted the switches,1 for the rears and 1 for the side ones,inside the battery compartment so when I was ready to back up I just turn them on while I was doing my maneuvering and turned them off when I was done. It works for me.

The problem with this is what RoyB eluded too.. Some states which have an "inspection" of your vehicle, the mechanics WILL FAIL the inspection unless you REMOVE said lights or PROVE that they can not be activated WHILE DRIVING IN A FORWARD GEAR. Some mechanics are worse than others so you might find one that is fine with it and others may be sticklers and force you to remove the offending lights on the spot.

Those states which do not have an inspection (and even the ones that do) your vehicle may be pulled over and you potentially can be fined and or or you may need to remove on the spot if your MANUALLY ACTIVATED LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE MOVING IN A FORWARD DIRECTION..

It is a safety thing, blinding other motorists is a bad thing.

It is for that reason any lights which are not facing forward SHOULD BE ONLY ACTIVE DURING REVERSE.

Even pickup trucks with a "cargo" light to light the bed area the lights can ONLY BE TURNED ON WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS.. It isn't like you are going to drive at night with your interior lights turned on..

There IS a REASON to the madness and if you understand the reasoning you can safely add additional lighting provided you follow the same rules as the manufacturer..

Pretty simple, rear facing lights if connected to the reverse light circuit and you PROVE they can not be activated in any forward gear will not be an issue..

"Scare" lights are a different creature.. They are not intended to be on during transit and the driver takes the risk of ensuring they are not on while traveling..

lots of double talk. you can have them but you can't have them but if you promise to not turn them on while driving, etc. the truck cargo area light is a perfect example. it CAN be turned on while driving. the law does not say that since it is unlikely, etc. etc. and SCARE lights won't flunk a vehicle.

bumpy
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2014
jjj wrote:
I mounted 2 small 50 watt driving lights under my rear molded bumper and also mounted 2 of them on the side just about 2 feet ahead of the wheels and angled them outward to shine on the ground so I can see the ground and the wheels. I mounted the switches,1 for the rears and 1 for the side ones,inside the battery compartment so when I was ready to back up I just turn them on while I was doing my maneuvering and turned them off when I was done. It works for me.

The problem with this is what RoyB eluded too.. Some states which have an "inspection" of your vehicle, the mechanics WILL FAIL the inspection unless you REMOVE said lights or PROVE that they can not be activated WHILE DRIVING IN A FORWARD GEAR. Some mechanics are worse than others so you might find one that is fine with it and others may be sticklers and force you to remove the offending lights on the spot.

Those states which do not have an inspection (and even the ones that do) your vehicle may be pulled over and you potentially can be fined and or or you may need to remove on the spot if your MANUALLY ACTIVATED LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE MOVING IN A FORWARD DIRECTION..

It is a safety thing, blinding other motorists is a bad thing.

It is for that reason any lights which are not facing forward SHOULD BE ONLY ACTIVE DURING REVERSE.

Even pickup trucks with a "cargo" light to light the bed area the lights can ONLY BE TURNED ON WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS.. It isn't like you are going to drive at night with your interior lights turned on..

There IS a REASON to the madness and if you understand the reasoning you can safely add additional lighting provided you follow the same rules as the manufacturer..

Pretty simple, rear facing lights if connected to the reverse light circuit and you PROVE they can not be activated in any forward gear will not be an issue..

"Scare" lights are a different creature.. They are not intended to be on during transit and the driver takes the risk of ensuring they are not on while traveling..
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2014
Given the fact that anytime you are backing into a spot at night you should get out of the truck and walk back and have a good look at the area you are backing into.

So take your flashlight lay it on the ground with the beam facing forward on a line that you want the trailer to be on and back down that. Many truck drivers do this when backing from daylight into a dark inside dock when the difference in lighting makes it impossible to see anything in your mirrors and it works.

With a manual switch on lights it will be way too easy to accidentally leave it on and:
A. run down your battery
B. get a ticket because you have left it on at night while traveling
C. Both of the above
jjj
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014
I mounted 2 small 50 watt driving lights under my rear molded bumper and also mounted 2 of them on the side just about 2 feet ahead of the wheels and angled them outward to shine on the ground so I can see the ground and the wheels. I mounted the switches,1 for the rears and 1 for the side ones,inside the battery compartment so when I was ready to back up I just turn them on while I was doing my maneuvering and turned them off when I was done. It works for me.
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 19, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
why aren't these legal "scare lights" that you can get on many RVs?
bumpy

Exactly, more proof you can put what ever lights you want on your RV as long as you cant use them going down the road.
GlennLever
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
DOT will ticket for having a red lenses facing forward and an yellow lenses facing backward, so I'm not so sure there are not some regulations on flood lights. The other side of that is currently clear backup lights are legal.
gatorcq
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
you can install any light you want on the rear of your trailer.
It is all about turning ON that light. As long as you do not turn it on while on-highway/road/streets etc then you are ok.

DOT cares only about lights used for ON-highway use/ that is why Off roaders can install Off Road lights without a problem. They do not use them On-Road.

People please read first before you suggest someone else to read it. No offence meant here.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
why aren't these legal "scare lights" that you can get on many RVs?
bumpy
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
If you have a few extra nickels - I wonder if a backup camera with LED lights would suit your needs. You could see what is directly behind you and I'm not so sure a backup camera could be considered to be a backup light. I have no direct experience-just my thoughts-but I have been looking at backup cameras as a solution.
GlennLever
Explorer
Dec 19, 2014
Both my race trailers came equipped with rear load/unloading lights. One has them mounted on the inside of the trailer, and the other has them mounted above the rear door on the outside of the trailer.

They are not connected to my backup lights.