Back-up lights

[GC45]

I've been googling for info on fifth wheel back-up lights without success. Are they like the back-up lights on other vehicles? I was wondering about the practicality of installing one or more floodlights wired to the back-up light circuit to increase visibility.

[GC45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19gc45 I've been googling for info on fifth wheel back-up lights without success. Are they like the back-up lights on other vehicles? I was wondering about the practicality of installing one or more floodlights wired to the back-up light circuit to increase visibility.

Just googled RV floodlights and got my answer.

[RustyJC]

The 5th wheel back-up light circuit draws power from the truck's 7-pin connector, and many trucks are marginally sized as far as wiring to the 7-pin connector is concerned. Therefore, if you want to add some high wattage back-up lights to the 5th wheel, I'd suggest that you use the back-up light circuit as a trigger circuit for a relay that powers the high wattage back-up lights off the trailer battery. This will prevent you from overloading the truck's back-up light circuit and blowing a fuse or, in the later trucks, tripping the solid state controller. Be sure to fuse the trailer battery circuit powering the back-up lights as close to the trailer battery as possible.

JM2CW....

Rusty

[GC45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC The 5th wheel back-up light circuit draws power from the truck's 7-pin connector, and many trucks are marginally sized as far as wiring to the 7-pin connector is concerned. Therefore, if you want to add some high wattage back-up lights to the 5th wheel, I'd suggest that you use the back-up light circuit as a trigger circuit for a relay that powers the high wattage back-up lights off the trailer battery. This will prevent you from overloading the truck's back-up light circuit and blowing a fuse or, in the later trucks, tripping the solid state controller. Be sure to fuse the trailer battery circuit powering the back-up lights as close to the trailer battery as possible. JM2CW.... Rusty

Makes sense, thanks.

[Mopar1973Man]

I've got a killer setup that worked for several years and with stands off road usage too... They are 100w aircraft landing lights in rubber tractor buckets mounted to the rear diff housing. The swap bar does a excellent job of garding the bulbs and for forward movement the diff protect them from flying debris. But they shine out over 1/3 of a mile easy. Make hitching/unhitching in the dark a breeze for me.

My first set was mounted to the bumper and I ended up crushing them into a log. But mounted on the axle I've never blown a bulb or crushed them yet...

[Chuck 1935]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man I've got a killer setup that worked for several years and with stands off road usage too... They are 100w aircraft landing lights in rubber tractor buckets mounted to the rear diff housing. The swap bar does a excellent job of garding the bulbs and for forward movement the diff protect them from flying debris. But they shine out over 1/3 of a mile easy. Make hitching/unhitching in the dark a breeze for me. My first set was mounted to the bumper and I ended up crushing them into a log. But mounted on the axle I've never blown a bulb or crushed them yet...

What a great idea!!

[Blue74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man I've got a killer setup that worked for several years and with stands off road usage too... They are 100w aircraft landing lights in rubber tractor buckets mounted to the rear diff housing. The swap bar does a excellent job of garding the bulbs and for forward movement the diff protect them from flying debris. But they shine out over 1/3 of a mile easy. Make hitching/unhitching in the dark a breeze for me. My first set was mounted to the bumper and I ended up crushing them into a log. But mounted on the axle I've never blown a bulb or crushed them yet...

Thanks! I used to mount them on top of the bumper where the hitch ball goes on the bumper but had to move them when one of the Leo’s at the Grand Canyon complained that they blocked the license plate, like I did not know that. Have been trying to come up with an idea on where to mount some on the 5th wheel.