I am adding some back up lights to my truck....I found out the other day that it really sucks trying to backup a trailer up while dark and raining!!


I don't want to have them come on with the backup lights all the time, only with a switch that I will install for them.


This was how I was thinking of wiring them up.....12v from battery...inline fuse.....on/off switch with indication light.....to lights at hitch.....and ground where necessary...

OR with a relay so I cant accidentally leave them on...

85-ground
30-fused 12v from battery
87-aux lights
86-12v from ignition to switch to 86

Sound about right?

Which one is the best way to go?

Also what size fuse do I need (lights are 55w each, total of two lights)...I picked up a 30a fuse, also got 14g wire...

I'm open to any suggestions or comments

Thanks for your help!

Josh

 

If your problem is backing with a trailer (and I can see it would be a HUGE problem - hope I never have to do it with mine in the dark), wouldn't it make more sense to put the lights on the trailer?

If you have the factory tow package, you should have a backup light wire in your 7-pin connector. Looking at it though, I'm not sure I'd want to power two 55 watt lights through it. It would, however, power a relay and you could pick up the needed amperage through the +12 volt supply on that same connector.

If you just need a better backup light now and then on your truck, you can buy a thing that looks like a flashlight (actually a 55 watt light) that just plugs into the 7-pin connector on your truck. I have one and it throws out a lot of light. It also has a setting that lets you have it on, even with the truck turned off, so you can use it like a work light.

I've seen this thing in Checker and, believe it or not, in Lowes. I can't remember the name of it though and mine doesn't have a name on it. It just says it's made in China (like everything else).

- Jack

 

Dunno if your into it or if its nominal to your problem, but the Fire and Ice throws out a lot of light with the LEDS on it. Also, replacing your stock incandescent bulbs with Super White LEDs produce like 2x the light output of Ford's reverse lights. But I think the best solution is go to AutoZone and get a cheap Pilot Driving Light kit and mount it on your frame rails or crossmember. Keep us informed on what you do.

 

I can backup trailers fine and get it in the drive in one shot most of the time, it is that I have no more them a foot of clearance on each side of it. I was thinking about them on the trailer but then once the trailer is up in the driveway I cant side the sides of it....thats what I really need to see. Plus I can turn them on when hooking up the trailer(s) or in the field at night when I need some extra light.


I would just rather not mess with the wiring in the 7pin harness......its not that hard to run new for them as I need to put in a switch also. I have also seen those lights and it is a quick fix but no good when you have the trailer hooked up.

Thanks for your suggetions


I never thought of that, good idea really but again I would not be able to use them hooking up the trailer without keeping the truck in reverse, which would be dangerous.

I will let everybody know what the out come is....


Josh

 

What I do is I back up to the trailer I'm towing and shut off the truck since its going to take a min or two and turn the key to the "on" position and put it in reverse and it lights up pretty darned well. Ever think of getting a back-up camera?

 

were not going down that road.....lol

I just got done putting my new headunit in and speakers about 3 months ago....I agree it would be really nice to have, but if I were to do it I would want nav, gps, and the works...so about 1,200.00 bucks or more for a good brand....not happening now....Funny you mention it also...as my dad just the other day was saying "A backup camera sure would be nice"!

If any more people mention it, it just might happen!

I need ear plugs!

 

Funny post Josh - That's what we call "feature creep" in programming!

I see your problem too. I think it's going to be VERY hard to see down the sides of your trailer at night. You are basically asking to illuminate down the sides and the area around the sides. It almost seems as if you need some lights sort of extended out from the ends of your rear bumper to illuminate this area. Not something you'd want to drive around with on a normal basis.

Could you put a rear facing light on either side of the trailer at the front of your trailer?

And, I was NOT saying "hack into" the wiring into your 7-pin connector in your truck. I was saying use the wires coming out of the trailer connector on the trailer side. If you have a 7-pin connector there, there are wires you are not even using (if the trailer in your picture is what you are interested in).

I've thought of a backup camera too - when does it end?

- Jack

 

That would be an option, right now the trailer has a 6pin plug so I'm using a adapter to 7pin, would not be that hard to cut it off, add the 7pin and add in the lights to the reverse. They would come on all the time, but as they are on the trailer it would not be that big of a deal.
If I were to do it that way it would only take care of it for my one trailer.....I also tow my uncles bobcat trailer and a 4 snowmobile trailer also, not allot but enough. Also I would not be getting lite while hooking up, although I could make them so they swirl around....decisions....decisions...
I really need to stop after this for a while and just drive it! I am putting enough money into it for gas alone !

Thanks again for your help.....you really have my brain a thinking now!

 

Hey I'm planning on installing some lights too, but im trying to figure out how the relay works.

So if i understand this correctly...

85 - is grounded (to the frame? or the main ground for the truck?)
30 - runs to the 12v positive connection on the battery, with a fuse between.
87 - runs to the lights being installed.
86 - is a wire running from the ignition wire of the truck to a illuminated switch to the relay.

This is what you were saying right? And itll work too?

Thanks.

 

I should get around to putting them in on Sunday or Monday, I will take plenty of pics and do a little wright up on it

 

i know exactly what you mean about backing up at night with trailer, i added back up lights to my truck thinking this would help (pics in gallery) and they were useless for backing. all they do is give me a nice glare off the front of the trailer and blind me, but very nice for hooking up at night. i am thinking of putting a set of fogs on the back of my trailer to help me back it at night. i don't really have much room for error when backing my trailer (mom's new explorer on one side, 10ft cliff on other = screwed either way ) so anything that can help i am interested in. i would have fogs on trailer already but a little hesitant to screw with trailer wiring. put up some pics of whatever you decide to go with, because i need some ideas for lights on trailer.

 

How many watts are your lights?...mine are 55w each.

Also mine say on the box "Flattest light pattern available!,Flat beam illuminates the road ONLY, not the rain, snow or fog...no reflections that can impair your visibility"...we will see!

 

did you buy your trailer at tractor supply? hehe

 

Nope, Brinkman's trailers, they are one of the bigger trailer dealers in MN.

its a 16 footer with 5,000 pound tandem axle with brakes on both

 

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