Backup Lights

[jay_merrill]

I mounted backup lights on my trailer a month or so, ago. I have side guides and put them on top of the posts. The result is fantastic - backing my trailer into its spot beside my drive is now a cinch at night. I used to have to make a couple of tries, and get in and out of the vehicle several times to check position.

Has anyone else done this? Where did you mount your lights? What type of lights did you use?

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Backup Lights

thats a "DUH!!!" idea right there. how many times do I back my boat in to my 1 car garage in the pitch black and never thought of this!!!! :redface:

thats brilliant!!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Backup Lights

My van has a tow package that includes the backup light circuit in the wiring harness, so this was a realy easy thing to do. I have been fighting with this issue for years and wish I had added the backup lights a long time ago.

I used a pair of round "tractor lights" from an auto parts store. At some point, I'm going to replace them, however, because they have a light pattern that depends on a horizontal mounting position. In testing my setup, I found that the lighting was better if I toed the fixtures inward, at an angle. I did get the light were I needed it by doing this, but lost some overall illumination.

Here's a photo of it.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Backup Lights

Also use the tractor utility lights. But a bit differently.
Have them mounted on some fitted 2X4's.
When launching I unplug the trailer, stick the utility lights into the bed's sockets on the pick-up and plug into the trailer wires. They come on when the running (parking?) lights do.
Tried a spotlight at first, terrible!
Flood is the definate way to go.
These are small enough to leave behind the back seat and get used more often than I figured they would for all sorts of stuff. 3 sockets per side on the bed makes them very handy for all sorts of things.