Towing at night

[RBeau1954]

there might not be a solution to this but we came back from a trip and had to be driving at night while towing our toad on a 2 wheel dolly. During the day it isn't a problem for my rear view camera because I can see it just fine, however at night I can barely see the toad and only from the reflection of the tail lights on the front of the car. I figured if I saw sparks then I would know something was wrong but is there a way to somehow light up the car without it being a distraction to vehicles coming up from behind? I'm not in a position to replace my system with a infra-red system if they even make such a thing.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Hi Rick-


Yes, they *do* make IR cameras for this use. I haven't considered this for my Class C as I don't tow, usually. I'll be following responses to see if there is a better or cheaper way a eventually I'll have a toad.

[FIRE UP]

Rick,
Well, here's a suggestion. With the advent of todays LED lights, I'd bet you could find a set (at least two) of complete RED, LED fixtures, that would be bright enough to add additional light to light up the front of your toad. And, they'd be hidden from any folks following you at night 'cause they'd be in front of the toad. You'd have a subtle light that would light up your toad but, not be too invasive in your monitor on the dash. It would be easy to do 'cause, you could tie into your trailer plug for the lights. They'd mount on a couple of cheap, nice looking brackets and would work, in my opinion, just fine.
Scott

[OregonJim]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Rick,
Well, here's a suggestion. With the advent of todays LED lights, I'd bet you could find a set (at least two) of complete RED, LED fixtures, that would be bright enough to add additional light to light up the front of your toad. And, they'd be hidden from any folks following you at night 'cause they'd be in front of the toad. You'd have a subtle light that would light up your toad but, not be too invasive in your monitor on the dash. It would be easy to do 'cause, you could tie into your trailer plug for the lights. They'd mount on a couple of cheap, nice looking brackets and would work, in my opinion, just fine.
Scott

Even better would be infrared lights. His standard camera will pick them up great while not even being visible to other drivers (except in their dashcams).

[jcussen]

The little leds they put in backup cameras are not very effective beyond 6 ft or so. Think the only way is to put some big, high lumen back up bulbs on your back up lights and run a line to switch them on when driving and check every now and then. Or do what I do, don't drive when it get dark.

[Eez Moose]

I have wired my towed like a utility trailer and I am planning to add a couple of 4 light led strips on the luggage rack (front and back) so that I will be able to see the top of my unit in the rear view cameras I have. The light power all will come from the coach and I won't have to remember to turn anything on or off when we stop driving. Turning off the coach lights will kill all the towed lights.

[RBeau1954]

Originally Posted by jcussen

The little leds they put in backup cameras are not very effective beyond 6 ft or so. Think the only way is to put some big, high lumen back up bulbs on your back up lights and run a line to switch them on when driving and check every now and then. Or do what I do, don't drive when it get dark.

I normally don't drive at night, we were in a situation where we needed to. it was the first time in 3 years we drove at night and it was the first time we realized the issue when I couldn't see the toad at all. I didn't like it but we had no choice.

[Pigman1]

I agree. Rear cameras suck at night. I got an auxiliary driving light (offroad) while at Quartzsite along with a red lens cover and mounted it high on the bus. Power for it is tapped to a tail light and I got fancy by running it through a LED light sensor switch so the light only works when it's dark out. I think I spent less than $100 for the whole setup, but at least now I don't get a heart attack driving across the desert at night and thinking my toad and I departed company some miles back. I tried adding 2 different IR LED lights, but neither output was enough for the camera to see anything. Waste of money.

[stepside454]

I have magnetic lights I put on roof , they light up front & rear , I can see them in monitor

[Old-Biscuit]

Turn on the toads dome light




But is it REALLY that big of a deal to 'SEE' the toad?

[stepside454]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Turn on the toads dome light




But is it REALLY that big of a deal to 'SEE' the toad?

A: I avoid night driving , especially in RV
B: I do like to see it back there , yes

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Turn on the toads dome light

But is it REALLY that big of a deal to 'SEE' the toad?

YES! Had a friend that saw his toad....passing him on a downhill part of the Alaska Highway. Rear MH hitch, towbar and toad broke loose and after it passed him he watched it hit the trees. Two plus years of hassle to get the insurance claim settled. I want to be able to see that puppy, ALL THE TIME, DAY OR NIGHT.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by stepside454

A: I avoid night driving , especially in RV
B: I do like to see it back there , yes

want to see vs really needing to see

Originally Posted by Pigman1

YES! Had a friend that saw his toad....passing him on a downhill part of the Alaska Highway. Rear MH hitch, towbar and toad broke loose and after it passed him he watched it hit the trees. Two plus years of hassle to get the insurance claim settled. I want to be able to see that puppy, ALL THE TIME, DAY OR NIGHT.

Being able to see it wouldn't have made one bit of difference

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

want to see vs really needing to see





Being able to see it wouldn't have made one bit of difference

Might have seen it acting squirrely before it broke loose. Any chance is better than none.