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09-04-2017, 09:30 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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Why Don't Airstream Trailers Have Backup Lights?
Had this trailer for several years but recently got caught in a situation where I needed to back up in a commercial parking lot in order to position the trailer for an especially sharp turn. The car behind me didn't understand what was happening as I backed up. Then I noticed the trailer lacks white backup lights. Why not? We cannot always see what is behind the trailer. They provide information to those behind the trailer. Backup lights are universal on automobiles, and my old Coleman popup. Why are these lacking on Airstream Trailers?
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09-04-2017, 09:41 PM
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#2
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
Backup lights are universal on automobiles, and my old Coleman popup. Why are these lacking on Airstream Trailers?
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Because backup lights are not legally required on trailers, according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108. Trailers having backup lights are the oddity, not trailers lacking them. In fact, your 7-pin connector (or 4-pin connector for other trailers) doesn't even include a power pin for backup lights.
You can see a summary of the FMVSS 108 trailer lighting requirements here: https://one.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle-Safety...n-requirements
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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09-04-2017, 09:54 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
Plattsmouth
, Nebraska
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 115
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I have them on my 67
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09-04-2017, 10:07 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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Backup lights
Totally agree with OP "why missing backup lights". Regardless of a missing in this case a lack Gov rule.....
No gov regulations mandate a dual/triple holding tanks, toilet, heater, rain sending fans, stereo or sub. But absolutely must agree backup lights should make equal sense as running and brake lights.
All the rational why we wired and added our own.
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09-04-2017, 10:08 PM
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#5
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jhiner1978
I have them on my 67
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That dates back to before FMVSS 108 was adopted. The very first FMVSS (#209) was adopted in 1967; FMVSS 108 was adopted later.
Any trailer made before FMVS 108 was adopted will not have standardized lighting, and is grandfathered, meaning it doesn't have to comply with standards written after the trailer was made.
By the way, a correction to my previous post on this thread: 7-pin connectors that uses blades do not have a pin dedicated to backup lights. But 7-pin connectors that use round pins do have a pin dedicated to backup lights. I had forgotten about the different 7-pin connectors when I wrote my first reply.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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09-04-2017, 10:24 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1969 25' Tradewind
Shasta Lake
, California
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,041
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The 7 flat blade has a backup light blade .
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09-04-2017, 11:55 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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And I'm working on installing a set of boat docking lights aimed rearward as backup lights. Just have to decide where to mount them ...
I'll power them from house batteries with a relay fired by the backup light pin in the 7-pin umbilical.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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09-05-2017, 02:16 AM
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#8
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenritas
The 7 flat blade has a backup light blade .
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Which one is the backup light blade again?
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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09-05-2017, 03:53 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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kscherzi,
My 2010 Classic trailer came with back up lights. My guess is that AS cut back on other models to keep mgf. costs low and increase profits.
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09-05-2017, 04:19 AM
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#10
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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We got 'em.....brite!
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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09-05-2017, 04:36 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluto
kscherzi,
My 2010 Classic trailer came with back up lights. My guess is that AS cut back on other models to keep mgf. costs low and increase profits.
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Yup!
Thor profits AS owner safety!
Our old 25' had back up lights.
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09-05-2017, 06:31 AM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
Plattsmouth
, Nebraska
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
Which one is the backup light blade again?
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Look at the 7 way rv standard. It's the middle one
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09-05-2017, 09:05 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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my trailer has back up lights. I don't know when they stopped including them but I agree they are important for others around you to know your TV is in reverse and about to back up
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09-05-2017, 09:08 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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The Excellas and Classics have always had backup/reverse lights.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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09-05-2017, 09:15 AM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2005 30' Classic
Box Elder
, SD
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 117
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We've had an '93 Excella 500 and '00 and '05 Classics, and all had OEM back up lights.
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09-05-2017, 09:27 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1969 25' Tradewind
Shasta Lake
, California
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,041
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
Which one is the backup light blade again?
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Number 7 the center lug is the RV standard for backup lights .
OR for whatever else one would like to use it for thus the term AUX .
Now for the reason Airstream not installing backup lights , think how much they saved per unit .
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09-05-2017, 09:30 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2019 30' Classic
Cary
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 33
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Trailer Back-Up Lights
Our 2017 26U also does not have back-up lights. When I back the trailer in public areas I do activate my 4-way flashers as a signal to other drivers that "something is up"...
I'm hoping that the combination of flashing lights and a giant silver Twinkie headed their way offers a clue as to my intentions 🤓
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09-05-2017, 09:54 AM
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#18
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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guys, KISS.
Send the wife to go to the back and tell people.
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09-05-2017, 10:00 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
1985 25' Sovereign
Pinole
, California
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 5
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1984 Sovereign has backup lights
Our Sovereign came with backup lights so maybe they were added after a certain year?
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09-05-2017, 10:15 AM
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#20
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Retired paddler
1993 29' Excella
Brighton
, Ontario
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
The Excellas and Classics have always had backup/reverse lights.
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For everyone's information;
My 1993 29' Excella has back up lights using a standard 7-pin connector.
__________________
Cathy and Hans
1993 Excella 29' w/Hensley
2011 GMC SIerra 2500HD SLT
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