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I'll second that suggestion. The "stealth" looking lights are the same lights that I put on my Expedition, and I love the way they look. I will try to get a photo tonight and post it for you, but I highly recommend them. I wired mine into my 7-pin so that I can disconnect them when I am pulling my TT. 55w lights hitting a white trailer sure causes quite a reflection!
-Mike
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
2008 Ford Expedition EL XLT
2001 Keystone Bobcat 280BH
I put backup lights on my camper that run off the center pole of the RV connector, but the truck's lights are blinding against the white trailer body and defeat some of the advantage. Taping over them works, but I'd rather have a switch on them I could access.
Ok, I did get a chance to snap some photos when I got home tonight. Sorry for the poor quality, the mosquitos are extremely bad here in WI after all of the rain we have had.
Lights off. Hard to see in the photo, but that is what makes them "stealth"
Lights on.
Chuck S, If I am understanding you correctly, you installed lights on your trailer, but have a hard time seeing what is being lit up by those lights because of the truck lights reflecting off of the white shell of the camper. The wiring for the reverse lights is easily accessible on the drivers side by removing the fuel pump relay access door. This is actually where I tapped in to power my reverse camera. I'm not sure if the wiring to both sides is accessible from here, but I would highly doubt it. Alternatively, you could replace the spade fuse in the fuse box (passenger side just in front of the door) with a fused wire/switch that you could relocate to be somewhere under the dash. My only concern with that would be if there is anything else that is run off of that same circuit, but my guess is that you would only need to kill the circuit when you are backing up with the trailer connected. That being the case, I would consider using a momentary off switch instead of a toggle, that way you don't forget to leave it on... or off.. as the case may be.
I have some like SGINUT has but they are designed to be back up lights. The lense is a utility style lense that disperses the light instead of making a beam. They are available at Autozone etc for about 29 bucks. I think PepBoys also has them. They are made by Pilot and Navigator (same package). They come with brackets to mount them to a reciever hitch. On my truck they turned out nice and are sort of hidden behind the bumper. For some reason they are more expensive from JCW.
Here is what it looks like. On my truck they dont show up as much, but this will give you an idea.
The second ebay link is for an LED light bar. If this suits your style it has tail/brake/reverse so its 3 function. This might look good. I don't particularly care for it on the older trucks like mine though.
I like the idea of using the trailer plug to power the lights. If I have time I think I might install some this weekend. Seems like no fuss no muss using this approach.
A friend of mine has those that plug in to the reciever hitch. I think most if not all of them allow a hitch to be installed while they are in use. The ones he has are nice.
Actually, now that I think of it, I have a White Knight rig in my garage. I placed it on my 2002 F-150 & 2004 F-250. I love 'em. Attached thru the receiver hitch.
They wouldn't fit on my '07 Suburban so I put them up. Out of sight, out of mind. I guess I'll dig 'em up tomorrow and see if they fit right on the EL.
BTW, if anyone wants to see how the White Knights looked on my F-250...check out my gallery.
That looks like what I have been searching for. I went to my local autozone to check them out and they are tiny.
Would you or anyone have any suggestions on a factory looking switch?
Since I have three blanks on the upper left side of the center console that is my primary location.
My secondary would be between the Aux input port and the cigarette lighter.
I would like to have the switch to do the following:
1. manual on
2. on with reverse
3. manual off