Backup Light?

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Backup Light?

Postby IndyTom » Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:09 pm

I was looking at the wiring diagram on my Toyota 7-pin connector, and I noticed that the center pin is for backup lights. Now my question is, how many people put backup lights on their trailers? I just read the post on the usefulness of backup cameras, and the need for light if using them at night. I still have time to incorporate them into my design, but I am just curious how many people added them into their builds.

Tom
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby Pmullen503 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 4:46 pm

I wish I had them! I have a couple magnetic LED lights I stick onto the frame but it would be nice to have it built in.
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby bdosborn » Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:11 pm

I added them to our second trailer after I tried to backup at night the first time. I really needed them as its wide enough it totally blocks the TV backup lights. The 4' wide teardrop wasn't as big of a problem so I never added them to it.

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Re: Backup Light?

Postby IndyTom » Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:15 pm

Ok, thanks guys. At this point it is just one more wire to run. Lights it is.

Tom
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby Shadow Catcher » Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:13 pm

My back up light is my wife with a flashlight.
The backup camera has low light capability and both fenders have lights so I can see where they are. My concern was hooking a wheel on a post and driving through a toll plaza at night.
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby S. Heisley » Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:14 pm

I have two of those magnetic LED lights from Harbor Freight. I set them on the rear frame and hook the included hooks to the rings I have back there on the chassis.
However, last year, when I had to back into a tight spot at night, between two fence posts, I discovered that the best thing to do was to put the lights facing me, on each side of the fence posts. That way, I could see all the way from the fence posts, that I had to fit through, to my vehicle without shining light on other campers. It worked like a charm. I could see exactly where I had to navigate.
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby tony.latham » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:37 am

My back up light is my wife with a flashlight.


:thumbsup:

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Re: Backup Light?

Postby IndyTom » Wed Jun 07, 2017 2:07 pm

Shadow Catcher wrote:My back up light is my wife with a flashlight.
The backup camera has low light capability and both fenders have lights so I can see where they are. My concern was hooking a wheel on a post and driving through a toll plaza at night.


Well, that just demonstrates my need for the lights more than ever. I love my wife dearly, but her idea of camping is a hotel with no room service. I might occasionally have a grown son with me, but for the most part I will be solo. So I am going to need all the help I can get. And I found some nice looking ones on Amazon that match the tail lights I was planning to use. Cool

Tom
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby Redneck Packrat » Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:31 pm

Shadow Catcher wrote:My back up light is my wife with a flashlight.


LOL :thumbsup:

And you get an added advantage in that a light mounted on the back of the TT won't scream "STOP!!!" at you if you need it :lol:
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby noseoil » Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:18 am

You mean like this? They're nice to have, but it takes a little planning to get them in place & have the wiring work out in the hatch. If you're building & have a 7 pin connector, it makes sense to use them on a build.

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Re: Backup Light?

Postby aggie79 » Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:49 am

noseoil wrote:They're nice to have, but it takes a little planning to get them in place & have the wiring work out in the hatch. If you're building & have a 7 pin connector, it makes sense to use them on a build.


With a 4 pin connector you could wire backup lights with a switched leg parallel with your marker/tail light circuit. In normal conditions leave the switch off. When you get to campsite, turn on the switch to light both the backup lights along with the marker / tail lights.
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Re: Backup Light?

Postby KennethW » Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:26 am

aggie79 wrote:With a 4 pin connector you could wire backup lights with a switched leg parallel with your marker/tail light circuit. In normal conditions leave the switch off. When you get to campsite, turn on the switch to light both the backup lights along with the marker / tail lights.


That would be very easy to do as a add on. Maybe a pair of under trailer lights. Sometimes the simple things escapes a person.
Thanks for the ideal. Will have to look at doing that.
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