Forum Discussion

docnascar's avatar
docnascar
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015

backup reverse lights on trailer?

For those times where you get to the campsite late and its very dark out, does anyone use additional running lights on the sides and/or rear of the trailer?

I was thinking about adding something, but I don't want to spend alot of money. Then again, I don't want something that is not bright enough to see where I'm going while backing up using my mirrors. I'm always leary of buying lights when I don't know how bright they really are.

What's the preferred way to hook them up? Through the wiring harness for access from the TV or put a switch in the trailer and connect it to the battery?



Anyone do something similar?

27 Replies

  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    The center pin of the 7-way blade connector is usually the REVERSE LIGHT connection.



    Like said above however I also get better results with SIDE LIGHTS verses REAR LIGHTs... Without a back-up camera you can't see anything directly behind you...

    Also mounting lights on the REAR of the trailer will get you into the DOT SAFETY RULES regulations to deal with...

    i.e. having a white lens rear lights coming on with an auxiliary toggle switch somewhere may not be allowed in the eyes of the DOT SAFETY LIGHTS requirements etc... Seems like everytime I do something like that I have to remove it before passing my annual SAFETY TRAILER INSPECTION haha... The WHITE LENS LIGHTS mounted on the rear of the trailer have to come on only when you are in REVERSE and have DOT APPROVED LENS's etc...

    Roy Ken
  • I have a wife-with-flashlight mod installed near the back of my trailer
  • I have an upper flood light and reverse lights in the trailer tail lights. None of them do me much good because I can't see behind the trailer anyhow. They do help my spotter avoid obstacles.

    The greatest benefit is two shop towels over the tow vehicle stop/tail/reverse lights. With the TV lights reflecting on the front of the trailer everything beyond that point is black.

    I also have a porch light on each side of the trailer near the wheels, that is the area I need to see.

    Another tip is a white hose or rope along the edge of where you want the RV. You will be surprised how well a white hose will show against the dark ground.
  • My dads 69 Fireball had backup lights from the factory. Nice feature!

    I wish my trailer had backup lights but it doesn't. Never bothered to put any on.

    As far as where to get them I bought some LED's from Northern Tool and love them for my farm eqip. This is the one I bought. And it's BRIGHT!!
  • On my 5th wheel there is a door side flood and an Off door side flood. If I got to a site after dark I would turn both of them on before backing in. Of course my ground guide would still be out with the flashlight to watch behind the trailer.
    You have a porch light on one side of your TT. It wouldn't be too difficult to add another on the back side.
  • I installed a backup light on my old Star Craft. It was wired so that it came on with the tow vehicles reverse lights, OR if you activated a lighted switch on the camper tongue. (it was handy to have a light on the back of the camper to use while parked at camp).

    Funny thing is, even though it was a 55W light, it still did not really help with backing up at night! A far more useful light would be on the SIDE of the camper that lit up where the wheels are and what was behind the camper. I may add side/rear facing lights to the new camper over the winter. Note that the standard 7 pin RV plug supports the backup light function. It is the round center pin. Also note that some vehicles may not have this pin wired.