Time to Shine forward, but I need some help

JVJ · 12-19-2009, 05:53 PM

Well, made it home with the Ebay purchase. Drove the last leg of the trip covering 1,000 miles Friday. Now while I don't drive a lot at night, I will say I was surprised at how little forward lighting was provided via the stock head lights on the Pacifica. The light pattern is nice and wide, but very short forward on normal mode. Hit the bright lights and it does light up the road as you would think would be more normal night vision.
Has anyone found a solution to improving night vision, with out breaking the bank?
As a side note, why is it so many people feel the need to drive with their fog lights on? If there is fog, I can understand it, but just to have them on for no reason, other than to blind other drivers is just plain rude!!

Belgian · 12-19-2009, 07:23 PM

Your headlights could be out of adjustment. There is a procedure that 'Theberrys' posted on a previous post about headlights that may help with adjustments.

JVJ · 12-19-2009, 07:45 PM

Thank you for your reply and reference to the previous post. I previously read that reply before I posted my question. It is a good link as to the proper distance of and how to aim the lights.
However I was wondering if anyone had come across a brighter solution for delivering a stronger, brighter beam of light. Maybe the lighting just seems short in forward vision due to the height, angle and viewing distance from the driver seat.
It just seems that for safety that should be a better view while driving at night for a vehicle as large and heavy as a Class A motor home.

Jim Stewart · 12-19-2009, 07:56 PM

You may want to do a internet search on some of the newer bulbs upgrades that illuminate and focus the light. I use such a light bulb upgrade on my Motorcycle and it made a considerable difference.

By the way, was she as pretty in person as her pictures?

AFChap · 12-19-2009, 07:59 PM

Most MH drivers complain of poor headlamps, especially on low beam. That is no doubt why many drive with fog lamps on ...but properly aimed fog lamps should not be a problem to other drivers any more than low beams would be. My high beams have always been fine, but I replaced my low beams with HIR bulbs (Halogen InfraRed), but don't know that the improvement was worth the price. I know of others who have replaced with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. BUT BEFORE DOING ANYTHING WITH BULBS, get the headlights properly aligned by a truck service location. I had a dealer check mine and they claimed they were ok. I then took the rig to a truck service place where they found both badly misaimed. Getting the lights properly aimed probably helped more than the HIR bulbs, but I still am not really happy with my low beams.

Jim Stewart · 12-19-2009, 08:02 PM

The Sylvania Silver Star is what I and many others use as an upgrade on Motorcycles and there is an improvment.

Theberrys · 12-19-2009, 08:47 PM

JVJ
I found when I adjusted my lights they were pretty good until the Air was in the suspension. It could be they were adjusted while the suspension was empty. It doesn't make complete sense to me but that is the case with my Tradewinds. It could be the front to back level isn't at all the same with the air out. Is your Pacifica a pusher? I think it is but don't know the year.
Just a thought.
Dick

JVJ · 12-19-2009, 09:23 PM

The Pacifica was indeed as she looked on the Ebay listing. There are and will be a few bugs to work out. But minor issues are to be expected.
We did have the need to visit a Freightliner dealer due to a few dash gauge reading error issues. Dealer worked us in ASAP, however by the time the problem was fixed (dash computer re-flash) it was near 8 PM...DARK and Cold. I asked it there was a RV Park near by that I would be able to locate in the dark for the night. They offered parking if we wished to stay on their property behind locked secure gates. Just what we needed to get a good nights rest. This Freightliner dealer is just off of I-81 at exit 235. Virginia Truck Center. Once again, did I mention that these folks were fantastic!!
Yes, the Pacifica is a Pusher. I will take a look at the light pattern with the air dumped from the suspension.
For some reason, I just recall the lighting on our past Class A coaches (a gas Bounder and 2 American Eagles Pushers) having been brighter and more full of light. Of course back then....I wan't an AARP Member....and my eyes were younger. And my wife was just a beautiful as she is today.