Brighter Backup Lights.

[jdmidwest]

Ok, the eyes are getting older and the boat trailer is getting longer.  What does everyone do to increase rear vision when backing up trailers?

I have a long driveway shrouded by trees, and it is usually late at night coming home with the new boat and trailer.  I need something bright to light up the rear so I can see driveway better.  The Sequoia has too many blind spots, small mirrors, and too old for backup camera standard.  What do I need, night vision?

[dtrs5kprs]

Path markers? Motion sensor ones?

That's one of the reasons I ordered a trailer with white gel fenders. Catch pretty much all available light early in the morning and at night.

[J-Doc]

I added some simple LED lights from Amazon that had a steel angle bracket made for the light.  Wired into reverse lights into my truck through wiring harness. 

 

Works awesome.  Shop around. 

[jdmidwest]

New trailer is narrower and all black, old one was wider with white fenders. It does not show up as well. Plenty of marker lights now after evicted mouse and fixed wiring.

I think I could wire leds into backup wiring an make them work, they don't pull a lot of amps. 

[moguy1973]

Could go with something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/autvivid-Flood-Driving-Fishing-Mining/dp/B00XL70YKA/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1486564104&sr=8-25&keywords=back%2Bup%2BLED&th=1

The only problem with wiring them up to your backup lights is they will be on even if the boat isn't hooked up.  I guess if you don't mind having more light when backing up at all times it's not a big deal though.

[Pat Magee]

I would just add some LED lights like J-Doc said.  I would check these out.

https://www.oznium.com/led-bolt

I added some stainless steel ones to my landscaping trailer and wired them into my reverse lights like J-doc said.  It is insanely bright and eliminated all my blind spots.  I am even adding the smaller ones to my kayak because I like them so much.

I would also suggest adding plug in play LED lights in your reverse lights.  My Jeep had some of the crappiest reverse lights and they didn't illuminate anything.  I found some plug and play LED bulbs that were a direct replacement for the stock ones and now they cast a nice white glow directly on the front of the trailer so I can see just about anything.

 

 

 

[jdmidwest]

I could wire some backup lights into the trailer, I have 2 spare wires now since I rewired it after the mouse.  Point them down and it would illuminate the ground too.  I like that idea.

I swapped out the reverse bulbs with the new hi intensity led bulbs from Auto Zone, I think that was money down the drain, can't see an increase.

I could wire new lights like driving lights and put them on a switch.  Turn them on when I need it.  That light would work with any thing I pull and have to back up.  I know the little boat and trailer is a pain on duck ramps backing it up too.  But then I usually have a spotter.

[176champion]

I have these on the back of my trailer. Got them from amazon for like 15 bucks a pair they are led's.These are the ones i bought ..

https://www.amazon.com/KAWELL-Light-Lights-Driving-Flood/dp/B01HT642WY/ref=pd_sbs_263_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MQE8CY92EBNDT78FQ8NG

 

[Pat Magee]

My Jeep has the "Homelink" button (basically 3 buttons that can be programmed for different garage doors) in the overhead console. I have seen people buy lights that come with a wireless key fob (I believe they were Pilot brand fog lights) and sync them up with their "Homelink" and toss the remote.  Now they can use one of the Homelink buttons to turn on and off fog lights or in your case, reverse lights.  

I may do this with some rock lights eventually so if I break down on a trail I will be able to see and I wouldn't have to worry about running wires for a switch.

[jdmidwest]

7 hours ago, Pat Magee said:

My Jeep has the "Homelink" button (basically 3 buttons that can be programmed for different garage doors) in the overhead console. I have seen people buy lights that come with a wireless key fob (I believe they were Pilot brand fog lights) and sync them up with their "Homelink" and toss the remote.  Now they can use one of the Homelink buttons to turn on and off fog lights or in your case, reverse lights.  

I may do this with some rock lights eventually so if I break down on a trail I will be able to see and I wouldn't have to worry about running wires for a switch.

Interesting.  I have a couple extra of those buttons.  Time to google wireless fog lights.