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01-05-2019, 01:48 AM
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#1
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Blanchard, Ok
Posts: 67
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Total darkness!
Last December 7th (Pearl Harbor Day) when pulling into a site in Solomon's Island, Maryland after dark, I found out there were no back-up lights on the MH! On mine anyway. After almost taking out the hitching post, I decided to pull in vice back in. Since I had limited time to get the coach south to it's new storage home I didn't have the time to find out why the lights didn't work. I suspect it is probably a bad fuse. My question is whether any Monaco owners have added after market back up or flood lights to the rear of their coaches to supplement the factory lights. When I start towing I'm thinking additional rear facing lights may assist if I arrive to my destination after sundown. Are there any good solutions out there? Also, If it requires screws to mount into the body how do I assure no water leakage into the back wall of the coach from the screw holes?
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Eric & Jan Towing a 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman
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01-05-2019, 04:15 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,385
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Welcome to the forum:
On many Monaco's there is a fuse panel for the backup lights. I can't venture a guess on your location. There are many fuse panels on my rv. One beneath the driver in an outside compartment and one in the far back compartment on the passenger side.
Your owners manual should show the locations.
I try my best to never arrive after dark for the reasons you mention. I know it may not be an option for the weekender but having the flexibility to arrive in the early afternoon makes things less exciting.
I have large docking lights on each side and can't remember if I have ever used them. It would be easy to tap the power lines and add any kind of light needed.
A strip of led lights along the bottom of the rear of the RV may be enough to help you with the toad and not blind the neighbors.
I highly recommend reading the owners manual as if you will be tested, because you already are. Then go through it again in a couple of weeks. Use a highlighter and write page numbers down for future reference. It is amazing at the little details you may forget when under stress.
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Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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01-05-2019, 04:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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We don't have the need for after hours backup lights, but as I was reading your post the first thing I thought of was "Boogey Lights". Usually installed under awnings, this would be a great solution, an easy install, no parts to rust or replace, and no need for any screws.
https://www.boogeylights.com
You could buy the length you think you need, cut to the exact length and run them across the top of the back of your MH, then run the wires down the side rear corner of the coach in a thin self adhesive plastic enclosure, then tie into your 12V right there at the tail light. The light spreading to the ground would be perfect. Then find a convenient place to tie in the controller. Probably in a rear bay. These LED light strips have a real strong adhesive backing on them so no screws. These rear Boogey LED's would be controlled by a portable remote control from the cabin area up front where you are OR Jan could carry it outside with her and turn them on when she gets back there to guide you in. Also, if you buy these, buy the ones that change colors with the remote control. That way, running down the highway at night time you could have an extra top strip of red lights back there, adding better visibility—especially in bad weather, like heavy rain—and then change them to white when unhooking and backing in. You could even go a little further and really light your MH up with longer or additional light strips and look like some of these 18 wheelers running down the highway that resembles a moving Casino Lobby or a Christmas tree. This could also provide additional lighting when parked at a CG. They do not pull hardly any power from your batt's.
As I'm writing this, I'm really entertaining the idea of adding this to my existing Boogey Lights. Because, when I bought my set for under my awning, I bought the extra large controller for this exact reason, that I may want to add more lights later.
Good luck.
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01-05-2019, 08:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Florence,Ms.
Posts: 320
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I really like the LED strip idea,I added them on my awning and they work great.I think I'll be adding them to my back up lights too. Great idea
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God Bless our Veterans-all gave some,some gave all
2015 Thor Chateau 28Z-2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Glenn and Darlene Hays
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01-05-2019, 09:46 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,459
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When backing a trailer, lights on the back of TV show me where the trailer is, but reflect to make it harder to see the stuff around the trailer. And lights on the back of the trailer light up the area behind the trailer well, but there is something wrong with my eyes, I can't see thru the trailer no matter how much light. Backing, first shut off headlights. Parking lights should be enough to see where you are coming from. Backup lights should light up the area you can see in your mirrors. On the trailer, put lights low near the front corners, shining out and back...
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02-02-2019, 10:18 AM
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#6
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Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Blanchard, Ok
Posts: 67
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All great ideas. Thanks guys!
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Eric & Jan Towing a 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman
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02-02-2019, 05:08 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Monaco Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 13,426
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I thought all Monaco coaches had these back up lights at the rear. They look like fog lights at the back of the coach.
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Dennis and Katherine
2000 Monaco Dynasty
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