Back up lights
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Back up lights
I pull a 14' trailer with my truck. I get home late at night sometimes and backing up my driveway is hard sometimes at night.
I would like to install backup lights underneath the rear of the truck. Anyone know of good lights to use? I want some that will last and that are pretty bright.
I would like to install them so you can't see them that much from the back of the truck... but enough that it will illuminate the driveway better.
Thanks
I would like to install backup lights underneath the rear of the truck. Anyone know of good lights to use? I want some that will last and that are pretty bright.
I would like to install them so you can't see them that much from the back of the truck... but enough that it will illuminate the driveway better.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,221
Likes: 6
From: Cow Town, CA
i have some construction equipment lights that i LOVE they are bright small and made of hard plastic....i would check out a tractor suply store or construction equipment store...i also would think they would be less $ then the "off road" one....
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Check out this old thread. I would like to do this myself.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...with-pics.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...with-pics.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: High Point, NC
I bought some 55w loghts from AutoZone for like $10 to go on the back of my X. I kind of whish they were a bit brighter, but they work pretty well - these give a nice wide beam.
I guess I should really take a night time photo.
I guess I should really take a night time photo.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Pilot brand (found at Autozone) makes a backup light kit I have installed on a few vehicles. The light pattern is designed for this and works VERY well. I have used other types (fog) that do ok. Just not as wide on the pattern. The kit includes mounting brackets for easy atachment to the recieve hitch. They look similar to markmoore pic. The utility light style being covered on the back will look cleaner.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
you might consider upgradering the lighting on your house, i've used backup lights before, but theyre nothing compared to a couple of 100watters mounted up high on the house, illuminating everything
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Another thought would be backup lights on the trailer. If the truck is wired for RV plug you probably already have it wired in the harness.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> backing up my driveway is hard sometimes at night.
You do not want them mounted on the truck, you want them mounted on the trailer rear or better near the rear bottom outside of the fender. Especially if you have to turn or are going down a hill.
On my last trailer with my lifted 4x4 van, I put lighted plow sticks on the rear trailer corners, that helped a lot.
You do not want them mounted on the truck, you want them mounted on the trailer rear or better near the rear bottom outside of the fender. Especially if you have to turn or are going down a hill.
On my last trailer with my lifted 4x4 van, I put lighted plow sticks on the rear trailer corners, that helped a lot.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
I have a similar problem with my 40' GN trailer. I am planning to add some floods to the driveway but would also like some additional auxiliary backup lights on the trailer.
I was thinking they might do the most good mounted to the rear of my trailer fenders facing back and to the outside just a bit. Has anyone done this that can recommend a specific light? I'm thinking a flush-mounted white off-road LED light of some sort.
I was thinking they might do the most good mounted to the rear of my trailer fenders facing back and to the outside just a bit. Has anyone done this that can recommend a specific light? I'm thinking a flush-mounted white off-road LED light of some sort.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I've run into a similar issue with my big flatbed, it looks like the best place for lights would be under the deck just forward of the tires so I could see them in the mirrors. Maybe a set on the rear of the trailer as well, to fill in the void there, but put them on a switch in the cab so they can be used as loading lights as well.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Easier said than done. If I want trailer BU lights that work via a switch do I have to do a bunch of custom wiring? I can't envision how that would work.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Dual purpose is not real hard. Just requires adding a diode on the backup light input so you do not energize the backup light when switching on manually. No need to control in the cab really. Once the trailer has backup lights is it just a matter of a switch and diode to tie to the aux power of the 7 plug. If installing from scratch and no RV plug on the truck - yes it will take some wiring.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
The truck and trailer are already wired. Both have 7-pin plug and the trailer already has backup lights. The trailer has interior 12V lighting on the ceiling as well as a breakaway battery. I'm just adding two more BU lights that will also be controlled by a switch in the trailer.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Pretty simply then. You need to install a diode in the reverse power wire then connect your switched aux power between the diode and the lights you are switching.
For safety of your brake system fuse the new circuit
Run power from you Aux power to your switch. Run a wire from the Switch to backup lights. If you stopped there the switch would try to energize all the lights on that circuit and the truck. To stop that you will place a diode in the reverse power wire to block voltage going up the wire. Put the band end of the diode toward the lights. Then connect your switched power between the Diode and the light.
simple diode example
The Diode
For safety of your brake system fuse the new circuit
Run power from you Aux power to your switch. Run a wire from the Switch to backup lights. If you stopped there the switch would try to energize all the lights on that circuit and the truck. To stop that you will place a diode in the reverse power wire to block voltage going up the wire. Put the band end of the diode toward the lights. Then connect your switched power between the Diode and the light.
simple diode example
The Diode