Minus these lights

[SilverHoot]

My Tradewind did not come with backup lights, scare/porch light and front and rear running lights. Mine must have been the econo model or these items were an option in 1967 and were not included on mine. So... for those that do have them or those that don't and wish they did. Should I add all of them, some of them or leave as is? Also, know that I currently have my trailer completely stripped of interior of everything including interior wall panels, wiring and have replaced entire floorboard. I'm currently insulating then comes wiring, so now would be the time if I am to add any additional lights. Recommendations on which to add and what type ( I've changed to LED stop/turn and side markers and am most likely going LED in interior). I doubt that backup lights for my model year are still available but am open to alternatives. Have also read issues of lens melt involving the scare/porch lights.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

My Tradewind did not come with backup lights, scare/porch light and front and rear running lights. Mine must have been the econo model or these items were an option in 1967 and were not included on mine. So... for those that do have them or those that don't and wish they did. Should I add all of them, some of them or leave as is? Also, know that I currently have my trailer completely stripped of interior of everything including interior wall panels, wiring and have replaced entire floorboard. I'm currently insulating then comes wiring, so now would be the time if I am to add any additional lights. Recommendations on which to add and what type ( I've changed to LED stop/turn and side markers and am most likely going LED in interior). I doubt that backup lights for my model year are still available but am open to alternatives. Have also read issues of lens melt involving the scare/porch lights.

The original round backup lights are still available.

Andy

[silverleeper]

The TW should be wired for backup light lights if it's like my 67 Safari. Look for a black wire. I found the backup lights at the local auto parts store. Peterson makes this style.

[rock60]

my globe trotter had backup lights, useless. i turned them into extra stop and running lights.

[CanoeStream]

Don't know when RVs dropped them, but newer model Airstreams don't have backup lights. Only brake & running & marker lights display at the rear of my '06. Other discussion - Backup lights?

[dznf0g]

My 07 has BU lights.

[TG Twinkie]

What good are backup lights other than to warn someone you are backing up? You can't see anything with them, especially if the backup lights on the TV work; the reflection off of the front of the trailer would block any view you might have.

[Aage]

The only real reason I can imagine to have B/U lights would be to warn people behind you of your intentions.

[SilverHoot]

OK, no backup lights for me. How about the others?

[ddstech]

The front and rear running lights are kind of nice to give you a quick check on the trailer while towing at night. It tells you if the lights came unplugged or if it is swaying. I would recommend a light on each corner.

Just an opinion. Clearance lights on the top rear wont give you any added benefit other then more visibility to other cars.

Am I understanding you right? You have no running lights at all?

[SilverHoot]

No Matt, I do have running lights on the sides only, none on the front or back. Lots of AS's have three in front and three in back. Yours did and my wife liked the look of them, just got a thousand other things to spend $$$ on and wonder if I really need or should make any more holes in the trailer.

[gwchitty]

For me, adding extra lights makes another set of holes in the shell and another potential leak path. Then there's the added maintenance to keep them working and then from deteriorating. Maybe it's a blessing not having these extra lights. That said, I do like having the "scare" light as a porch light. Also, maybe you should run a wire for the backup lights and tape it off inside the wall. Later you might decide it would be nice to have power for a back-up camera.

[SilverHoot]

Cosmos,

I like your reasoning. THANKS! Even though the scare would add the biggest hole of all....

[SilverHoot]

Or are they surface mount?? Just googled and 1st I came across was surface mount.

[TG Twinkie]

I am not really sure about this but I believe operating running/marker lights are required by law. Why would AS or any other builder put them on if they weren't required.

[gwchitty]

You don't have to be conventional with the scare light. I like the look of the flush mount Signalstat scare light but it is a huge hole to add. You could add a surface mount lamp but then you need a switch inside and another huge hole. I added a surface mount lamp over the old, obsolete round convenience outlet lamp socket. It's a license plate lamp and I can reinstall the old outlet again if I want to. There's a pic in my profile images. My philosophy is to try not to add any holes bigger than a rivet can plug later if I change my mind.

So here's an easy alternative. Pick up a silver-colored led solar garden lamp at Walmart for $2. Prop that up outside for a porch light. You can always add the original style lamp later, it wires to the adjacent wall lamp thru a switch.

[gwchitty]

As far as lights required by law? I think this is mostly a requirement for the manufacturer and it changes every year or so. You should be fine with what came on the trailer but all those lights have to work correctly to avoid a ticket.

[DougZ]

I'll be the oddball on the back up lights. I like them since we often arrive after dark and it gives my wife a little better view of where I'm backin in to. It makes rocks, logs, etc. easier to see. She has a flash light, but the back up lights on our Overlander are bright and give her a much better view.

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by DougZ

I'll be the oddball on the back up lights. I like them since we often arrive after dark and it gives my wife a little better view of where I'm backin in to. It makes rocks, logs, etc. easier to see. She has a flash light, but the back up lights on our Overlander are bright and give her a much better view.

I like them too. I can see them on while backing and they do come in handy.

Really helps if you don't have a spotter at night. The wires should be there and it is a fairly easy upgrade.

[SilverHoot]

The wires definitely aren't there on mine. Though they probably were. I'm replacing all the wires since mine was one of the few years wired with aluminum wiring.