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slowmover · 04-02-2017, 07:19 AM

Very nice write up!

Have you added similar to the outside edges of the TV stern? I back articulated rigs daily, and cannot recommend it highly enough. Plenty of backing angles where TT reverse lights will make it harder to see obstacles to sides. Glare will make what's in shadows harder to see.

What's directly to rear is usually not the problem. The swing of the trailer tail, is, and same for TV stern.

I'd also recommend staying with FMVHSS approved lighting. Grote catalog or similar. Fleet Parts is a chain worth using for this and other.

Boxite · 04-02-2017, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowmover

Very nice write up!

Have you added similar to the outside edges of the TV stern? I back articulated rigs daily, and cannot recommend it highly enough. Plenty of backing angles where TT reverse lights will make it harder to see obstacles to sides. Glare will make what's in shadows harder to see.

What's directly to rear is usually not the problem. The swing of the trailer tail, is, and same for TV stern.

I'd also recommend staying with FMVHSS approved lighting. Grote catalog or similar. Fleet Parts is a chain worth using for this and other.

I haven't yet had an opportunity to back-up the AS in a dark campsite to fully appraise the operational aspect of the installation. If you look at the pic of the rear of the AS you'll see just above the license-plate where I installed the backup camera discussed in another thread. These lights were installed to assist the use of that camera. I had found that backing in the dark that the camera had to rely upon the glow from red-taillights... and that was not comforting to avoid campsite objects or when backing in closely-confined areas. Daylight proved the camera was very good at doing the job... it was just a nighttime issue. (This backup camera is an aftermarket "PEAK" system and the camera is actually quite good at picking up/using ambient light. So these BU lights are intended to shed some "light" on the matter.)

Thanks for the idea, however. The Ram truck I have for a TV has proven excellent for the task but I admit that it's own BU lighting is marginal. The Ram has the same camera installation, so that when not towing, the same cockpit-monitor is used to back the truck, and the BU lighting could be improved... However, the problem might arise that when backing the AS ...that bright TV BU lights might blind somewhat in the reflection of the AS so close to the TV. The side-lighting you suggest might be a great solution. I"ll run an experiment to check on that as I have a spare set of those same LED lamps.
Can you offer some insight as to why FMVHSS approval would be desirable or necessary for backup lighting?

(Addendum: The PEAK monitor is always ON ...awaiting a signal from the camera which is powered ON by the TV backup lighting circuit. I added an identical camera to the back of the AS.... that camera being powered by a set of relays I installed concurrently which disconnects backup circuit power from the TV camera and simultaneously and continuously powers the AS camera. This provides a constant view when towing the AS of what's behind... but only req'd the one monitor which I have mounted above the TV rear-view mirror.)

slowmover · 04-02-2017, 09:03 AM

I'm no fan of cameras for backing.

FMVHSS means DOT-approved. A set of standards. Lighting engineers have tested. Better made and easily replaceable.

The past few years quite a bit of my backing has been with a forty-two foot trailers weighing nearly 60,000-lbs. At oil drilling well sites. Multiple ninety degree turns. All sorts of flammable and potentially explosive goodies about. Every type of weather.

There is no substitute for getting out and walking it off. Lighting is for confirming what I've observed, not for discovery.

Glare creates deep shadow.

I like what you've done and will do similar. But it's from vehicle rear corners outward that matter most.

Boxite · 04-02-2017, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowmover

...There is no substitute for getting out and walking it off. Lighting is for confirming what I've observed, not for discovery.....

I agree and certainly always do first walk the places I'm about to back into. Cameras cannot detect hazards to tires or small, dangerous debris, so I always walk it first, but the camera confirms my progress and makes it easy to approach objects closely without "get out, walk back, walk fwd, get in, back up, get out, walk back,....." etc etc.

Besides, it also keeps the wife happy and in-love. (IF momma ain't happy...)

Here IS A CAUTION when using cameras or anytime else maneuvering the trailer: Don't forget the OVERHEAD objects such as eaves, tree-limbs, shelter-roof-lines, etc. ....or you'll be visiting the body-shop to repair your caved-in upper-Airstream. Our camping neighbor just spent 3-weeks and Thou$and$ at North Dallas RV replacing curved roof panels after a collision with an overhead door.