Trucker Forum - Trucking & Driving Forums - Class A Drivers

- Anything and Everything (https://www.classadrivers.com/forum/anything-everything-106/)

- - Trailer Backup Lights (https://www.classadrivers.com/forum/anything-everything/25768-trailer-backup-lights.html)

Yeah, I would say, mount a toggle switch back there, like you said, roadhog. Only thing is, you would have to get out, and turn them on if you are backing up in a truck stop. Do you have a light on the back of your sleeper? Maybe run wires up to there, somehow. It's always something weird, when you want to do someting like this. Never easy. :lol:

Re: Trailer Backup Lights

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhog

Any ideas? anyone with some experiance with this? :? :P

I want to mount a couple flood lights off the tail of my trailer for backing.
Figure I will set them off the center bar on my rear bumper area...where I can angle them nicely...and yet have them out of the way of docks and such.

I don't want them mounted on the sides of the Tractor rear fairing...as I seen done. Problem I'm having is how to wire them...to my Tractor backup lights. So...when I shift into reverse...they will come on.

I'd be happy also to figure them on a switch in the cab...if I knew the best way to wire this. (second best wish)

For now...I can't figure a good method. I'm resigning to just mounting an on/off switch back on the tail. I can get out and go flip them on and off as I need to. Not a problem when bumping docks...as I need to go open my doors anyway. But for the times I'm in a Truck Stop or where ever...sure would be nice to not have to do that everytime...especially during BAD weather. This is the time I really want the trailer backup lights the most.

Man...wired somehow to the Tractor backup lights would be fantastic....but how?

Dang electrical embilical has no extra wires...now that they have them wired up for ABS.

A ball of twine, two torches(flashlights) with long life batteries, some double sided sticky tape and a 58 ft long stick to push on/off switch.....Hey presto.... Saved you a fortune Bro....
Hey, what are friends for eh? Don,t sweat on it, you can buy me a tea when I see you :wink:

Yo..Yo Wot...my brutha.. :D heheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :P

Maybe Slimland would tell me...

Hark Heathen... :?
smite thine 66.6% tint from thy windows...
and ye shall SEE...sayeth The Lord.

Blessed is HE ...who can SEEeeeeeeeeeeee! :)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/467.jpg

...maybe it's as simple as that...
:? ...or as difficult as you wanna make it. :lol:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/Leland10/38.gif

You could mount the switch on the back of the tractor and run a rope and pulley system up to the cab. Thats how I would do it.

Or you could take the lazy way out and install one of these.

http://www.svc.com/rm02.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by marylandkw

Or you could take the lazy way out and install one of these.

http://www.svc.com/rm02.html

Hey! Good deal .... :) ...me likie! :D
Not a bad price for this remote. Just mount the lights at the tail...and hit the remote when I want to use them. Cheap and easy...and I won't have to mount them to my Tractor. I hated that idea the most.

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhog

What makes this a big issue for me is this new Tractor I'm driving has tinted glass side windows.
This tinted glass cuts my night vision down by I'd say roughly 66.6 % :?

I've thought of just taking the tint off the windows....but I've grown to like it because of the help with cutting down the lights in my eyes and mirrors with night driving. It's crazy trying to back at night though. :shock: Especially if it's stormy. I'll have to get out and look at how I'm doing several times or more.

:idea: Just a thought here ...and it is a scarey one at that...Have you ever considered just rolling down the windows at night...when your backing :?: :?: :?: :?:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangetxguy

:idea: Just a thought here ...and it is a scarey one at that...Have you ever considered just rolling down the windows at night...when your backing :?: :?: :?: :?:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...al_l_387_4.jpg

I'm driving a 387...and that won't work, as you can see, there is a large fixed piece of glass off the mirror. You can roll the window down, but it does no good, as you can't see the mirror that way, and you can't see the trailer either. You have to open the door and lean as far out as you can. That only works just so far...and it really sucks...so what you end up doing is...getting out of the truck and checking your progress.

I thought of getting the tint off. ....but you know what....I've considered everything...and I think adding backup lights is my best solution...at least for me. I mentioned why I still wish to keep the tint.

I really like marylandkw's suggestion about the remote switch. I can add a couple lights off the tail, with some very simple wiring...and voila...cheap and easy solution.

Having backup lights is the best way to go. I am surprized they are not a standard item on all trailers. Some nights...especially stormy nights...that added light can make a difference.

R.U. hooked to the same trailer all the time or do you switch often?

Anyways, here is the link to the wireless remote control lights:

http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=23035

What you can do is replace the red lenses with clear, that way you get your light the way you want it.

If you got 650 burning a hole in your pocket fine, if not i feel that two battery powered lanterns velcroed to the dot bumper ( you would put them on before you back up) would be more cost effective and just as useful as the above item.

3) Wiring some aux lights to the trailer should not be to hard; I will look at the wire diagram soon or not so soon depending on my health/energy levels.

Lewis friend...

thanks for the input. You mentioned a couple times you are not feeling well.
I hope it is nothing serious, and that you will feel better soon.
regards Hog

Well, basically i've been playing the "stay awake" game. But the game is officially over as of 9:30 am this morning and i will be hitting the street so to speak on monday in search of a new gig.

Anyhoo, do you stay hooked to the same trailer all the time?