Back up lights and back up alarm

I have a switch in the cab that operates my camper backup lights and an additional pair mounted under the camper. I find that they are nice to have on at night when trying to hookup my trailer in the dark. Allows me to let the truck idle without leaving it in reverse gear and engine off. Also works well for turning on while traveling at night to check on trailer tires.

I still haven’t gotten around to mounting anything on my truck for aux back up lights. I guess it hasn’t been too big of a concern since I am always towing a trailer when the camper is on the truck, and I try to avoid getting in to places where I have to back up after dark.

I've always planned on doing it, I just haven't gotten around to it. Last year I mounted some flood lights on the back of my small trailer.

The big trailer already has backup lights.

These are the lights I added to the small trailer (they double as cargo loading lights by using a switch I wired in):

No back up cam but have the back up sensor that does not work with camper on.

If your 3500 SRW has the OEM back up camera (with the in-mirror monitor) you can use the set up I have. I purchased a Cubby Cam and had them wire up a harness that plugs into my OEM harness where the tail gate camera normally plugs in. When I back, I see behind me in the mirror, no extra monitor to mess with. Granted, I can't see behind me while moving forward, but for a small fortune, they can remedy that also. My thoughts on a back up alarm, just have the DW get out and scream if you're going to hit something. Much more entertaining than a beeper! :B

Cubby Cam

I have a backup alarm, as we are members of a trailer & camper club and lots of them are in late 60's & 70's, and some are very deaf.

I also have a Veise.com wireless rear view camera system connected to the overhead/heights lights, that gives me constant rear vision. We have a 5 inch monitor on the dash, stuck with Velcro, so monitor is removed when not in use.

Also have a second set of lights, brake & indicator, at the rear of my truck, that are attached to the bottom of bumper bar, shielded with an aluminium C section, so that if lights on rear of Truck Camper are not working, I have a backup, set of lights, and increased visibility, to other drivers.

So, to add up, reversing buzzer, rear view camera and extra set of lights, all for safety, so others can see & hear me, and that state troopers can see me, with lighting as spare in case some are not working.

When you go on your next trip(s), when at a Truck stop have a look at a Truck & Semi Trailer, they will have doubling or trebling of lights, for extra visibility and in case something is not working.

Happy Travelling.

docskibum wrote:
Why the problem with the back alarm, to noisy in campground?

Dunno
they are annoying but in a campground or Mcdonalds is where alarm would best function/useful? IF was to add think switched might be good. jockying around you dont need it but backing blind might help-trees wouldnt move but other unseen obstacle might :0

As to the lights I think my sealed beams are 35watt each but never had issue. Dont believe they are actually using that or can-need relay and seperate feed, would be nice if switched. Coarse they're only on briefly. Hmm have some free pins on aux 7 pin-nah.

docskibum wrote:
Why the problem with the back alarm, to noisy in campground?

I remember one night in camp, a diesel VW camper came in late. It had a backup alarm which wasn't a bad thing until the tenth or so time they backed up trying to get it straight. When they shut it off, you could actually hear applause from around the campground. I've never noticed another one so I don't know if theirs was particularly loud or if it just because it was on for soooo long.

AnEv942 wrote:
I did add a switch on cab third brake light but dont think that would be a good idea on tailights-unless you had an absoluete fail safe way to remember turning back on when camper off.

Some patrol cars have a switch to disable the brake light for stealth situations. They have a small beeper inside that beeps every second while the lights are disabled.

Why the problem with the back alarm, to noisy in campground?

Back-up alarm = really bad idea!