Forum Discussion

cj_rezz's avatar
cj_rezz
Explorer
May 25, 2020

Trailer Reverse Lights

My family and I often arrive at campsite late in the day, often when it's dark, as we work a full day at work and then leave town after that.

I came across a great deal on 4 27watt LED Flood lights at Princess Auto and couldn't pass them up as reverse lights for the trailer.

The lights are hooked into the empty wire on the trailer coming off the reverse pin of my 7 pin trailer plug so they come on automatically with my tow vehicle's reverse lights.

I installed 2 at the back of the trailer that light up behind the trailer and to the sides of the trailer and 2 at the front pointing backwards along the sides of the trailer. They are all angled down as to still allow my spotter to look at the trailer without getting blinded.

This mod has made a big difference in the ease of arriving at a campsite in the dark and being able to back it in easily.

The total amps the lights draw, since LED, are under the amp rating for that reverse circuit on my tow vehicle and all wiring I installed was spec'd for the length of the wire run and the amp draw of the lights over that length of wire run.

Picture - for whatever reason, RV.net shows a broken image when I link the the share google photo... so here's a link instead.
  • Vintage465's avatar
    Vintage465
    Nomad
    May 28, 2020
    I did exactly the same thing with mine. Put two on the back then two on the sides for all the same reasons you did. My cousin did the same thing after I did mine and he one upped my by also tying the backup light circuit into the switch that is for the little power jack light. He can flip the switch on the tongue jack light and everything lights up. I may need to do that.
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    beemerphile1 wrote:
    In my own experience, I get the greatest benefit from covering the tow vehicle lights. The tail, brake, and reverse lights bouncing back at me from the diamond plate prevents me seeing anything beyond the front of the trailer.
    I guess that only happens on one of the TT's in your signature

  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    May 27, 2020
    The lights shining off the front of the camper idea. Get some magnetic sign material and cut to fit your back up lights with some overlap for the bed side and the tailgate. Only takes seconds to install when you get out to walk the site. Stuff is cheap.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    May 27, 2020
    In my own experience, I get the greatest benefit from covering the tow vehicle lights. The tail, brake, and reverse lights bouncing back at me from the diamond plate prevents me seeing anything beyond the front of the trailer.
  • 1320Fastback's avatar
    1320Fastback
    Explorer
    May 27, 2020
    Ok now I'm doing this! Thanks ??

    Also yeah I think on a switch would be better than tied into reverse circuit.
  • cj_rezz's avatar
    cj_rezz
    Explorer
    May 26, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    I like it. I also have two LED backups that I added near the front like you did. It makes it a lot easier to back up when out in the desert at night. It also makes it a lot easier to deal with leveling blocks and stabilizer jacks as I don't need to hold a flashlight in one hand.

    Have you added a switch so you can turn the lights on even when not hitched up? Currently mine are only wired to the backup circuit on my Suburban. But I found that many times I need to get out and do something while leaving the lights on. The only way to achieve that now is putting on the parking brake and leaving the truck in reverse which I'm not too keen on doing.


    I haven't but that was on my to do list as well! It would be very handy to be able to flip a switch and have some perimeter lighting come on!
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    May 26, 2020
    I like it. I also have two LED backups that I added near the front like you did. It makes it a lot easier to back up when out in the desert at night. It also makes it a lot easier to deal with leveling blocks and stabilizer jacks as I don't need to hold a flashlight in one hand.

    Have you added a switch so you can turn the lights on even when not hitched up? Currently mine are only wired to the backup circuit on my Suburban. But I found that many times I need to get out and do something while leaving the lights on. The only way to achieve that now is putting on the parking brake and leaving the truck in reverse which I'm not too keen on doing.
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    May 26, 2020
    I didn't understand backup lights until I saw your picture - great idea, and just where you need light to be when backing in the dark.

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