backup reverse lights on trailer?

[docnascar]

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?

[mrgreetis]

mh, Look at the top 2 topics in the "Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)" forum for how to post pictures.

[trail-explorer]

I am running a set of these on my truck and my trailer. Big lights hanging from the truck bumper (or trailer bumper) look kind of gawdy. These are nice and small, but throw a good amount of light.

http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/compact-led-flood-light-900-lumens-4-LED-hd26004-3WFL.htm

[mhsmith]

cant seem to get my pics to post 😞

[RVcircus]

Nice setup. I've thought about mounting a wheel well light on our trailer as well. I think lighting up the wheels is more helpfil than the rear of the trailer especially if you have a spotter.

Dakar Dad wrote:

I purchased 10 lights on eBay for a killer price. (Search for 2x 18W Cree LED Work Light Bar Flood Beam 4WD Offroad Vehicle Driving Lamp) Now I find they are 1/3 the price now.
I use the reverse light wire from the trailer plug to energize a relay and I let the trailer power the lights mounted on the trailer.out my tires while driving.
I mounted two of them under my truck bumper, two over the tires and two on the back of the trailer with them facing outwards a bit.

[Zeppe807]

I added a reverse/accessory light to the rear of the trailer because in find myself getting to the camp in the evening on Fridays, or bringing it back to my storage area in the evening.

I have it on a separate switch not automatic.


It's hard to tell, but it puts out a lot of usable light.

I also have lights under the trailer on a separate switch:


And I have lights on the truck (these are the same as the one on the trailer, just black):


They all come in handy.


Happy trails!
Joe Zeppe

[docnascar]

Nice.

[Coolerman]

I just finished this LED light strip install down both sides of the Sonic:

I don't know if they will help when backing up, but they sure do help with seeing whats around the camper! Mounted the controllers in the pass through, drilled a hole in the front wall right where all the factory wires came in. They of course do 256 colors, flash, rotate through all the colors, ect. This pic is in WHITE mode...

[docnascar]

Great tips everyone. Thanks.

[stevemorris]

I use a low mounted fog lamp mounted under the bumper of the truck
its wired to the interior lamp of my topper with a separate switch

its low enough to light up under the trailer and I can see the wheels and ground on both sides clearly

the problem with lights wired into the trucks reversing lights is that its nice to have them on moving forward too and the low mounted fog lamp doesn't blind my spotter

[johntank]

beemerphile1 wrote:
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.

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.

This has helped me more than anything else.

[mosseater]

It was the first mod I did. I bought a set of inexpensive add-on fog lights at PepBoys and mounted them to the rear bumper. I ran them through a SPST switch near the rear bumper. Switch one way and they come on with reverse through the trailer plug. Switch the other way and they're manually on as long as I need them. They are square, clear lenses and very bright. They should be standard equipment, IMO.

[campigloo]

I found a led fixture about 6" X 2" from an equipment dealer. I think they were about $20.00 each. I ran a wire off the distribution box on the tongue of the trailer and through the belly liner. Drilled a 3/8 hole in the body under the tail lights and fished the wire through. They are plenty bright enough and operate off the reverse pin to the truck.

[wrenchbender]

My Bigfoot came with switchable flood lights above the wheel wells.I also have an I Ball backup camera that I attach to the rear bumper when required.

[lc0338]

I have one of these mounted on the back of my horse trailer. It is put on from the factory with an on/off switch on the back end of the trailer. From the back drivers side corner of the trailer I can turn on the exterior light or the interior lights in the horse section of the trailer. It's handy for back up and for working around the trailer after dark.

Outside backup / work light