Adding Docking Lights

[Gadget Man]

I friend of mine recently bought a new Tiffin Bus, and I absolutely love his factory docking lights. They do a great job of lighting up the campsite at night. We don’t pull into a CG at night that often, but when we do, I’d like a little more illumination. My Providence has no docking lights.

Has anyone in the forum installed after-market docking lights? I done some internet research on the subject but I’ve come up empty. I’ve thought of a couple of alternatives, but I’m worried that the lights I've found would light up more of my neighbors campsite than my own. I don't want to install anything that requires major body work such as cutting large holes in the side of my coach.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Craig

[offshore]

Good question Craig, I'll be waiting for an answer also.

[JimM68]

I like the idea as well. My knight has no docking lights... I'll be watching

[Tha_Rooster]

Mine came with docking lights work well and even light up the person next to you so I only leave them on as long as necessary. I believe you will have to cut holes or a professional job. Remember the 11 commandment thall shall not be tacky.

[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by Craig P.

I don't want to install anything that requires major body work such as cutting large holes in the side of my coach.

Putting holes in the side of the coach is really not a major job unless you pick a spot where bracing is then it won't work.

Once the lights are secured in place that spot and the surrounding area would turn out to be stronger than when it left the factory.

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Mine came with docking lights work well and even light up the person next to you so I only leave them on as long as necessary. I believe you will have to cut holes or a professional job. Remember the 11 commandment thall shall not be tacky.

Haha, too funny. I agree with you. I do my utmost to make all of my upgrades blend in so they appear to be factory. I’ve seen the docking lights on the Revolution and I consider that a possible option. They look like a rectangular back up light mounted behind each wheel if I’m correct. If I could get something like that in a surface mounted LED, it might look ok. Again though, I don’t want it to simply light up everyone else around me. I’d prefer it to shine down and back, but that just may not be doable...

Originally Posted by JohnRR

Putting holes in the side of the coach is really not a major job unless you pick a spot where bracing is then it won't work.

I’m not opposed to cutting a small hole, just nothing huge. I’d prefer to mount something behind each wheel well opening, and there isn’t much room there anyway.

Thanks everyone....keep the ideas coming!

Craig

[Patrol 65]

Have you looked at these?
ATTWOOD LED Docking Light at West Marine

[InfinityJim]

Fisheries - Product Detail

Try These...
Cheaper then the LED's that I've not seen installed and working yet.. These work very well...

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by Patrol 65

Have you looked at these?
ATTWOOD LED Docking Light at West Marine

Yes I did. The fixture is more bezel than it is light. Might look good on a boat, but I didn't think it would look good on an RV.

Thanks anyway.

Craig

[docj]

If you do decide to install lights make sure they are pointed so they do you some good. We have a factory-installed docking light that sends virtually all its light into the neighboring campsite. It barely helps me complete my connections. I find my Coleman LED lantern to be a much better help.

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by InfinityJim

Fisheries - Product Detail

Try These...
Cheaper then the LED's that I've not seen installed and working yet.. These work very well...

Infinity Jim just may have a winner here! These look very similar to the Tiffin docking lights that work so well.

I did some more searching and found them here for less, and in Chrome.

Craig

[Gadget Man]

Ok, so far the lights InfinityJim pointed out look promising. As I said, they are very similar in design to the Tiffin Bus docking lights. I went to the manufacturers website and got the specs on the light. They measure 7.60" long by 4.15" wide and require a 3.75" deep clearance hole for the bulb housing. I just measured my coach and these would fit just in from of my front wheel well openings and would also fit to the rear of my rear wheel well openings. I have adequate clearance on the inside of the wheel well for the housing.

I plan on painting the faded black handles of my outside storage compartments next year, to match color of my coach. I go with these lights, I would probably order them in white instead of chrome, so I can paint them at the same time. That way they'll look almost like factory. I would most likely only start off with a set on the front and evaluate them. I can always add a set to the rear later if I find them necessary.

Any comments?

Keep the ideas coming!

Craig

[Just Because]

I ordered a set of docking lights off eBay. My Pace Arrow Vision had them and I really like the light that they gave. I didn't used them for backing in the campsite, but trying to connect or disconnect items in the dark.

I ordered the lights off eBay and didn't read the description or it was not stated. I need two lights so I ordered two. When they arrived, I got 4 lights, so they were sold in pairs.

I removed the bulb and painted the housing to match the Fleetwood coach (commandment # 11). Made a cardboard template and found a location they would fit. It was the wheel wells. With two extra sets I decided to mount these for backup lights. Went to the top of the rear cap and cut the template. Mounted the lights and tied the wiring into the backup lights. It's daylight when I go into reverse .

The docking lights are on a separate circuit with a switch.

I don't have any pictures, but I will shoot some and post them. Lights, paint and wire are less than $50 for all four.

[sdennislee]

What about something like this? The hole may be bigger than you want to cut. The price seems to be good.
Intertek Guide-Lites - Polar White