Reverse or Back-up lights

[Yota Bill]

That law states (in laymans) you cant have rear facing white lights on while driving. It does not mean you cant have them, or that you cant have a way to turn them on from the drivers seat. Having them is fine, as long as you dont have them on while driving down the road.

There are alot of laws that state things this way, which is why so many aftermarket products are labeled "for offroad use only", it covers the manufacturer from liability. You can drive a car down the road with a fully functional nitrous oxide system, with the tanks charged, and the system able to operate at the flip of a switch, but if you use the system, while on a public road, thats a different story.

[Wobbly Wheels]

Nah, this is above and beyond driving lights. The BC regs say that rear facing lights may only be lit when in reverse gear, which lets out driving lights.

When I find it again, I'll post it here. Till then, I'll stand corrected.

[Woodyperk6]

We have back-up lights on our TD as well. I wired in a switch to run them off of the TD battery when we are unhooked from the TV. I also wired in a switch for my running lights as well so I can turn them on when we are in camp. It gives some light in the campsite and make it easier to find the trailer in a dark campground.

[Woodyperk6]

deleted

[8ball_99]

That law states (in laymans) you cant have rear facing white lights on while driving. It does not mean you cant have them, or that you cant have a way to turn them on from the drivers seat. Having them is fine, as long as you dont have them on while driving down the road.

Ok that makes much more sense. I must have just misunderstood. I would never drive down the road with back up lights on. The only way that could happen is if the switch inside the trailer is flipped on. My trailer is a toy hauler and pretty much any commercial made toy hauler has rear facing white lights for loading and unloading at night. Only difference with mine is I used tail lights for the rear lights.

[DudKC]

This thread is full of good discussion about my current question. I am trying to wire up my vehicle for the trailer brakes. My goal is for my TV (2010 Outback) to only control the tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and trailer brakes. I will not have reverse lights on the teardrop, and I don't want the TV to charge the teardrop's battery while towing. Below is what I have purchased so far, my question pertains to the 5th blue wire on the adapter. The instructions say to splice this wire into the TV's reverse lights, we are thinking this is only necessary if we want reverse lights on the teardrop, which we don't. If I hook the blue wire on the trailer wiring into the trailer brakes, will they be useless without hooking that blue wire on the adapter into "something?" If so, what should that something be?


Vehicle wiring harness
http://www.etrailer.com/p-118467.html?search=1

4 pole to 5 pole adapter
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/20036.html

Trailer side wiring harness
http://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Optronics/A40W5B.html

Thanks!

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

Here is the "something"...

http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controlle ... l?feed=npn

Connect your blue wire to the blue wire coming out of the something.

[Larry C]

Slow, I'm not concerned with you, your memory and/or the method in which you have wired your tow vehicle. You are obviously intelligent enough to not leave yourself in a vulnerable position. Please do not take this personally.

My understanding of this website/forum is, it is not only a social environment but also a place where readers may post inquiries and/or recommendations related to the manufacturing of personal trailers and/or tow vehicle.

So, within that concept, we the posters also have an opportunity to post opinions and views based on what may or may not be the most safe method. I choose to remain passionate about advancements in safety and reliability, not go with the concept "It's been done this way since 1950, it must be the accepted most safe method." If this was the case, we would all be driving 1950 or earlier vehicles. But we don't drive 1950 vehicles because persons have discovered methods of manufacturing more reliable and safer vehicles.

Now, when it come to your particular application, as I said, you may wire any method you wish. But for myself, I will evaluate all potential negative effects of what I may be producing, and do my utmost to insure not only myself will be as safe as current technology, knowledge and experience may provide, but also others will be equally safe. This is especially true when it comes to making a recommendation to someone with an inquiry for greater knowledge and understanding. And, I know when to humble myself when a person with greater knowledge may suggest a more safe method of producing the same results.

I am new to this forum and I greatly appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to obtain greater knowledge from those with far more experience in the manufacturing of personal trailers than myself. This opportunity will significantly aid me in improving my end product with respects to usability, reliability and safety. And, at the same time, I appreciate the opportunity for myself to be able to post knowledge I may posses which may provide other persons with a more usable, reliable and safer end product.

Note:
Just because an industry has performed a task in the same manner for 30+ years, does not mean there are not safer and more reliable methods of obtaining the same results. Realize, the RV industry in business of making money. And for this reason, they may in some cases not always manufacture to the most safe and reliable method current knowledge/technology affords. Their number one goal is to insure they are turning a profit for themselves and their investors.

I for one applaud you spending the time to share your obvious EXPERT knowledge. Please continue sharing!!

Larry C

[Nitroxjunkie71]

I installed tractor type lights on both sides of my trailer just aft of the fenders because I have a narrow drive that goes around to the back of the house. I have been using the brake lights to light my way for some time now but with having a manual transmission and all, it becomes difficult to operate the clutch, gas and brake pedal all at the same time. Last fall I installed some LED strip lights just to help out a bit. It's still in the garage so I can't say at this time how well this combo works but I am sure for my application it will work just fine.





Darn cell phone camera's

[DudKC]

Thanks for the help Tumbleweed and Slow. I watched the installation video in the link you provided, Tumbleweed. Looks a little technical but I should be able to handle that.

Thanks again.