Here is what I use to help back up and want just some extra light in the back. Working off the upfitter switch.





For small lights they throw a good amount of light and there up high enough I don't have to worry about ripping them off in the brush or snow banks backing up.

 

Kper05, those are the one's that I used.

 

I like to recess the 2x4 style lights into my rear bumper (basically like the J&J stainless bumpers). Problem is the only company I new to get the trim kit after cutting out the hole from (to make them look nice) was J&J, who is out of business.

 

Finally, a place where the LED bars are almost reasonable.

Super Bright LEDs - 12 Volt LED Light Bars

 

I agree.
I almost ordered a few the other evening but decided to wait to see if I "really" need these in the bed of my truck.
I flashlight has always worked and is cheaper.

 

Hi guys,
I use KC under bumber lights for reverse and for hooking and unhooking trailers. On my last truck, I had them on a upfitter switch, but often forgot to turn them off after unhooking a trailer, also found to be a bit of a hassle to turn on to back out of the driveway. So, on this truck, I have them tied to reverse. This is great for backing out of the driveway, but for hooking trailers, I would have to leave it in reverse and put the E brake on and get out to go stand between a 9,000# truck in gear and a 3,000# trailer.... So, I may try to figure out how to make it turn on with either.

I also have lights under my bed rails on a switch. I have mine on the parking light circuit. My thinking is that if I need light in the bed., I would also have my lights on and this prevents them from running all day long during the day. I'll try to add a pic...

 

Thanks guys, these are great ideas. I haven't seen lights under the bed rails. A rope light would be cool but I wonder if it would be bright enough with black Line-X sprayed in. My main concern is having enough light to see the fifth wheel hitch while attaching and then being able to see the hitch jaws locked around the king pin. I know a flashlight would work for this but it's just one more thing to think about that I'd rather not have to.

I like the under-bumper lights and will try to fabricate something that isn't too obvious.

Going boon-docking next week to Moab. Can't wait to try out all the new gear on on a good pull. Will report back if I have any problems.

 

On your 7 way on the truck there is a reverse hot. when you add your lights to the trailer, just bring the hot up to the 7 way on your trailer connector. When you put your truck in reverse, the lights you added to the trailer will light up.

 

Try Susquehanna Motorsports located in PA.....lots of cool lighting including Hella.

 

Epic, I had under rail lights in my '08 and they lit up the bed perfectly but actually made 5th wheel hook up worse, as you can imagine.

Lighting on the sides actually makes a dark shadow inside the hitch making it very hard to see the jaws/confirm jaw and kingpin lock.

This particular spot is hard to light up. Anything on the tailgate will get beat up, etc....

A small light hooked to the reverse hot as suggested would be good but you have to make two trips from the driver seat to complete your hook up, which is counter productive to your specific goal.

I wonder if painting the jaws on your hitch white would help? Never thought of that before myself....

 

In this thread Bear Hunter had pictures of lights he mounted in the bed rail of his truck but the pic's are gone. Maybe you could PM him for how he did it. I'm sure that would light the bed for 5th wheel hook up.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...with-pics.html

 

After thinking about my previous rant earlier in this thread regarding camera glare and mirror glare from my 5er at night, while in reverse, I was thinking that there has to be a way to turn off the camera at night when your 5er is hooked up. Wish there was an automatic fix for that, such as tied in to your trailer selection in the truck apps. Anyway, it finally dawned on me that you can turn off the camera temporarily by pushing the DISPLAY button twice on the lower right side of your center display. DUH! These dashes have so many lights that the glare off them at night can be annoying.

Now to conquer the mirror glare. The rain drops on the mirror at night while backing are a big issue too. Hmmm, tiny wipers on the mirrors that come on when I have my 5er selected in the truck apps, and the lights are on, while tranny is in reverse. Brilliant idea. Wonder if there is a flash out for this yet? (Go ahead FOMOCO, I give you permission to use my ideas.)

Epic, what about putting a light on the pin box somewhere that would illuminate the king pin and hitch area. Power it off the 5er. Tuck it up in the pin box somewhere so as not to cause additional glare issues. Put it on a switch so you use it when you want to. Might also help the kids remember how low that king pin is versus how tall they are.

 

I like that idea. Maybe just a single LED run off a couple of rechargeable AA's permanently hooked to a 6 inch solar panel. hmmm...

The kids rarely whack their heads on the trailer. I, on the other hand, whack my head on something almost every time. It's either the king pin, the basement door, the ladder, or something else. I have learned to NEVER hook up the trailer without wearing a ball cap.

 

with these lights (i have them on mine SUPER BRIGHT as they have 2 55w bulbs in each fixture):



or these (would like to know how bright these are):

 

I never wear a hat doing work like that because the brim is a "blinder" to the overhead. Walked into more thing wearing a ball cap then not