Reflective tape

[suprz]

We use rest areas alot for quick overnight stops while traveling to our destination. One thing i'm always weary of is being seen while parked. I have added regular reflectors to the back of our rig up high enough for them to be eye level for truckers to see, but i am now thinking of using "SOLAS" ("Safety Of Life At Sea" ) reflective tape on the motorcycle carrier and maybe on the over cab part of the class C just to further give a perimeter lighting effect. Have any of you added any reflective tape to your rig?

[jake2250]

Reflective tape
Here's my plan!

[BobtheFisher]

I have lift in the back of my pickup that i use to load my motorcycle. It requires that the tail gate be down and even then, it sticks out a few inches. I put reflective tape on it t make it more conspicuous

[Matt_Colie]

suprz wrote:
I was thinking that the white / silver SOLAS tape would be good to use to define the side / edges of the rv to others at night, yet because it is white, it wont stick out like a sore thumb during the day. In the front, i would use yellow, and the back of course would be red. I am currently wiring permanent LED Stop / Turn / Running lights on the motorcycle carrier just in case someone cant see the RV tail lights they were only 20 bucks on amazon and are really nice. Around 15 inches long and 1.5 inches high and very bright

I like it.
That will put a crimp in the "I didn't even see it" line.
I put a set of tow light on the back cargo carrier for the same reason.

Matt

[JimBollman]

I have it on all sides of my enclosed car trailer and below the tailgate on my truck. when the tailgate is on you can see it through the crack for a little more safety and when the slide in camper is on you see it under the back of the camper. It often is brighter than the taillights or running lights.

When I started using it 3M was the best and that is always what I look for. 3M makes a lot of the tape other company markets under their name.

[suprz]

I was thinking that the white / silver SOLAS tape would be good to use to define the side / edges of the rv to others at night, yet because it is white, it wont stick out like a sore thumb during the day. In the front, i would use yellow, and the back of course would be red. I am currently wiring permanent LED Stop / Turn / Running lights on the motorcycle carrier just in case someone cant see the RV tail lights they were only 20 bucks on amazon and are really nice. Around 15 inches long and 1.5 inches high and very bright

[MrWizard]

i put some on the motorcycle carrier
on the awning arms (to protect MY head)
on the each of the steps to see them in the dark
even on the edges of the compartment doors

[Matt_Colie]

Before the depression I did a lot of boat work and some of it included getting yachts ready for long races. I bought a lot of conspicuity tape as it was required many places. So, I know for a fact that SOLAS reflective tape is also DOT compliant. It had the specification number for both on the box and they sure did charge me for each number....

Matt

[old_idaho_guy]

I put them everywhere also. I found some at Harbor Freight

[IAMICHABOD]

Great idea to put reflective tape on the rear of the rear of the RV.

This Tape is DOT compliant.

All of our trucks had them and so do I.

[RinconVTR]

I follow semi trailer DOT regs. Not to the very inch but pretty close.

I highly recommend you do not make up your own scheme and think it adds saftey when actually it could cause great confusion.

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

[beemerphile1]

Great idea.

I have added reflective tape to bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, and RVs. One of my favorites is the black tape on a black surface that is nearly invisible in daylight but shines bright white when hit by lights at night.

[Cobra21]

I think it's a great idea. I added reflective tape on the back of my boats
as pin striping incase my tail lights would fail...now you have me thinking
about doing the same on our motorhome.
Brian

[JaxDad]

suprz wrote:
I have added regular reflectors to the back of our rig up high enough for them to be eye level for truckers to see.....

This a pretty common mistake. Reflectors mounted up high are pretty much useless unless you're a long way away from the other vehicle or they have their high beams on.

Headlights are aimed slightly downwards to prevent blinding oncoming drivers, the height of a truckers eyes is waaaay above where his lights are aimed.