Trailer Backup Lights

[DLM]

My main winter project is installing some backup lights on my boat trailer. The majority of the time I am launching on unlit ramps at well before sunrise and with the wider boat I have now the bakup lights on the pickup are of little help.


The first problem was where to mount the lights. My latest plan is LED's monted on my trailer guides well above the launch waterline wired directly into my backup light wiring. I have found what I think are some pretty bright lights for around $50.

The beauty of this forum is there are always ideas and ways of doing things I have never thought of and it has helped me avoid reinventing the wheel many times.

Has anyone else taken on this type of project?

 

[sawtooth]

Take lots of pictures of your project as I would think many of us have a similar issue with launching on unlit ramps in the dark. You might be forging new territory and I know you have me thinking now.

 

[autorick]

I think you are on track. I am going to be mounting leds inside my boat because they are incredible, along with two mounted on my roof rack facing towards the fishing deck. This way i can use them for backing the trailer up and also when i am out in the boat.

 

[Ridgeratt]

Found these! Perhaps an answer to your problem if you have a 12 port in the boat. Then could be used other places also.

http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/Uti...orded Utility Light Cigarette Lighter Adapter

 

[DRM]

With that square LED light, I would think about making a mount that will fit in the down rigger swivel and just plug it into the acc. port. when you are in the water you can get it out of the way. just a thought.

 

[Ridgeratt]

View attachment 7730



View attachment 7731


I have some that are mounted on my tractor for snow plowing.

 

[Bduck]

The beauty of using LED lights is they do not put excessive power drain on the battery unlike incandescent. My suggestion is installing the light/s on the boat so you can achieve a dual purpose roll with them. If your playing in the dark lighting is always a must and using a flashlight is just not enough. Rigid puts out light bars, work lights, marine and off road lights. I installed a small 3" light on the front of my boat that projects a cone beam and not a straight beam to be able to see more of a path while on open water in the dark. My pics show the light and a cone beam about a 3' distance from garage door. This small light puts out over 600 lumens

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-work-lights/

 

[Steelheadin360]

I installed two of these on top of the roof of the Customweld. I wired them into on of the left over dash switches. I orignally wired them to help out at the dock on those early mornings getting ready. but found them very handy for backing down the ramp. Just switch them on when I am prepping the boat.

http://www.extremetacticaldynamics.com/catalog/deck-dual-led-deck-light-p-33.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiArK6lBRC5-_jv48uxgrgBEiQAuxdZ9azJXirQvzRUPuzjtw54mQCQuqYDkqVJBoh0VYWBIjgaAneV8P8HAQ

 

[DLM]

The lights came last week and this past weekend I got the brackets made, now for an install this weekend. I will post picks when it all done and pretty.

 

[DLM]

Got everything done except the last bit of wiring. Mounted one on each side. The lights are not on in these, it's just the reflection from the flash.

 

[sawtooth]

DLM,
Looks good. Thanks for posting the pictures. My only concern would be that the bow of the boat would swing around and catch the light on a windy day while you are loading or unloading the boat. Let us know how it works out.

 

[DLM]

That is something to be aware of for sure, but so far with the way my boat hits the bunks even at an angle I have yet to come into contact with the guides, even in some pretty strong winds at Wickiup. I'm pretty cautious loading in the wind, if I don't like the way it is lining up I pull out and go around for another approach. I'm pretty fortunate to have good ramps/docks at the windy lakes and that helps. If it becomes an issue I can always make a new mounting bracket to move them out a bit or lower.

 

[sawtooth]

They look nice and I am sure they will be nice to have on those early mornings before sun rise.

 

[SuperD]

If you are up for some constructive criticism, I don't think the wiring is going to cut it. Or maybe that drilled hole will cut it. I'd grommet the burred holes you drilled and use some shrink wrap. If you go in the salt you will be re-doing your wiring on a regular basis.

 

[DLM]

Well, after 150 miles one of the 1/8 aluminum brackets I made broke apparently due to the weight of the light and vibration. After close inspection I can see a hairline crack developing in the bracket on the other light also. Apparently the aluminum was not up to the task so I will make new brackets from steel.

 

[SuperD]

Dave,
IMO, that's not a fatigue break. It looks like you either hit it with the boat or someone snapped you off.

 

[DLM]

Boat was only launched and loaded once since the lights have been on and the boat never even came close during the process. The other bracket is cracking at exactly the same place. The broken bracket was in one piece when I left the lake, 30 minutes later on the way home I saw it had broken. Everything points to fatigue.

 

[Ridgeratt]

I would buy a better grade of aluminum in a thicker hunk of angle. Look for 6061.