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Adding extra run/turn/brake lights to the rear of trailer?

TonyG109

Member
The lights came with 22 gauge wire. The extension gauge depends on length. The 10' and 15' extensions come with 22 gauge wire. The longer ones come with 18 gauge wire. Sorry for the late reply.
 
Added an auxiliary tail/turn/stop light with an inexpensive LED strip. attached with adhesive tape. Ran a piece of D-Line White wire raceway fitted into the end of the LED strip to the right side channel. After extending the wires and reattaching the 4 pin plug, ran the wires down the channel and then just connected it in the 4 pin trailer plug. Added a couple of zip ties underneath and buttoned things up.

To make the D-Line raceway usable I stripped off the adhesive tape that is only suitable for indoor use, cleaned it thoroughly, and mounted it with 1/2 inch 3m VHB tape. Here is the result...


IMG_3546s.jpg​

 

Long Islander

Well-known member
I apologize for dragging up an old thread, but I was wondering how the extra brake lights are holding up? Are they still working? Is the adhesive still holding? I’m still planning to do something to enhance the brake lights.
 

7ACMike

Well-known member
I needed a simple and quick fix as we bought our 2 ebikes while on the rd traveling for the winter and also was concerned about the lights being "somewhat obsured". Amazon for a 2 light velcro light kit that peeled and stuck to the bike rack easily and quickly solved the light issue. I have had several comments on how easy and well it works from other campers. Having a great fall day day here in Iowa at 70 and sunny!! https://www.amazon.com/CURT-53201
 

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
Question? Does that many people drive at night? Maybe on occasion but really that often? By dark, I want to be set up with an adult beverage!
If someone can't see a big rig driving down the road, those lights aren't going to help!
 

Socal-Paul

Well-known member
For us it's not a matter of driving at night. We carry bikes on the back which partially obscure the stock tail lights installed the Boogey lights for this reason. Day or night I'm not concerned someone is going to miss seeing the lights.
 

BryanValRox

Elite Member
Question? Does that many people drive at night? Maybe on occasion but really that often? By dark, I want to be set up with an adult beverage!
If someone can't see a big rig driving down the road, those lights aren't going to help!
I would think driving at night would be somewhat normal. While I really like the idea of adult beverages after dark, sometimes scheduling drives the need to travel at night (at least for us).
Earlier this month we left the house at 5 am on our way to Asheville. Several reasons drove this, 1. Beating the DC beltway traffic and 2. Being able to honor the arrival time at Mama Gertie’s . Almost a week later, we had to leave a day early dealing with a sick dog. So, a 1pm departure resulted in a 10:30 pm arrival at home.
Day or night, I am a HUGE fan of extra lights for safety reasons.
I also added an extended stem light on each side at the rear of the coach to help with a visual reference to the rear of the rig.
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
For those of us who are still working, driving at night is sort of a necessary evil. Especially this time of year when it gets dark early.
I do try to avoid driving at night, but life doesn't always work that the way you want it to.
I have made a new rule not to arrive at a campground I'm unfamiliar with in the dark. If I'm familiar with the campsite I'm OK with it because I know where I'm going for the most part, but if it's somewhere new I will no longer arrive at night. Even with that rule stuff happens forcing a nighttime arrival.
I now carry an assortment of cordless flood lights that can light up a campsite enough for me to park.
In a few years when I retire maybe I can eliminate night time arrivals. Until then I'm trying to avoid arriving at night but I know better to never say never!
 

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
I would think driving at night would be somewhat normal. While I really like the idea of adult beverages after dark, sometimes scheduling drives the need to travel at night (at least for us).
Earlier this month we left the house at 5 am on our way to Asheville. Several reasons drove this, 1. Beating the DC beltway traffic and 2. Being able to honor the arrival time at Mama Gertie’s . Almost a week later, we had to leave a day early dealing with a sick dog. So, a 1pm departure resulted in a 10:30 pm arrival at home.
Day or night, I am a HUGE fan of extra lights for safety reasons.
I also added an extended stem light on each side at the rear of the coach to help with a visual reference to the rear of the rig.
Sorry for all the "bad luck" of having to drive late. The question is, how often does this occur.
OK, don't get me wrong, anyone can do what they wish. I firmly support that it is a free country and do what you wish to do, within reason.
My pointis is the ROI is not there. Thats all I'm saying. If you want to put lights on your RV, hell, I help you find them if I can help. Just not for me and don't understand the reason.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
Happy Glamping!!
 

Lantley

Prominent Member
Return on investment is relative in the RV world. That return depends on your camping style. If you travel a At night additional lighting can be very beneficial. However if you don't travel at night it's not as important. If you boondock frequently A nice solar setup it's good to have. If you're seldom off the grid having solar is less important.
I think what you're missing is that there are plenty of people that use their RV and travel at night. Furthermore there are aftermarket lighting kits designed for RV's.
Many of those late night RV'ers realize late night visibility is important and take extra steps to ensure their RV is extra visible at night
 

Bozo

Prominent Member
Sorry for all the "bad luck" of having to drive late. The question is, how often does this occur.
OK, don't get me wrong, anyone can do what they wish. I firmly support that it is a free country and do what you wish to do, within reason.
My pointis is the ROI is not there. Thats all I'm saying. If you want to put lights on your RV, hell, I help you find them if I can help. Just not for me and don't understand the reason.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
Happy Glamping!!
ROI, really? Increased safety due to increased visibility, especially when braking, is priceless in my book. The brake lights valors is too low. NHTSA requires 3rd brake lights up high on cars and trucks for this very reason.
 

Long Islander

Well-known member
I agree, increasing safety is priceless. I would like to make my brake lights a bit more noticeable.

As for towing at night we do it when necessary. We sometimes do it when coming home or leaving Long Island. Driving through New York City is never easy, but its easiest in the middle of the night. It once took us over 4 hours to get from the Throgs Neck Bridge to the George Washington bridge and we were towing. There wasn't an accident or any constructions delay, it was just congestion.
 

Flyer32RLS

Well-known member
I agree, increasing safety is priceless. I would like to make my brake lights a bit more noticeable.

As for towing at night we do it when necessary. We sometimes do it when coming home or leaving Long Island. Driving through New York City is never easy, but its easiest in the middle of the night. It once took us over 4 hours to get from the Throgs Neck Bridge to the George Washington bridge and we were towing. There wasn't an accident or any constructions delay, it was just congestion.
Reminds me of our favorite saying when I was flying. Best thing about NY, "Gear up"!!
 
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