LED taillight add-on

[Lonestar]

I used two 15" LED multi-function stop/turn light bars on a piece of 1.5" angle iron to make some additional taillights. This is a simple non-invasive (no drilling holes in the trailer) way to get a little more attention when making a turn. The receiver hitch on the Reflection provides a good means of securing the bar, and I don't feel it's going to interfere with my bike rack.

[MAW7228]

Hi Lonestar. Did you use the 4-pin connection provided with the hitch on the Reflection for operating the lights? It also looks like you used another piece of angle iron beneath the hitch to "clamp" the top piece with the lights using the two bolts through the chain holes. Would carriage bolts work and have you experienced much vibration on the lights when traveling?

[Lonestar]

Hi Lonestar. Did you use the 4-pin connection provided with the hitch on the Reflection for operating the lights? It also looks like you used another piece of angle iron beneath the hitch to "clamp" the top piece with the lights using the two bolts through the chain holes. Would carriage bolts work and have you experienced much vibration on the lights when traveling?

Yes, I used the provided 4 pin connector. I had to slightly relocate it because it was hitting the angle iron. I mounted it to the bottom of the square tubing that holds the receiver, and reversed it so it faces the front of the trailer. You are exactly right about the second piece of angle iron on the bottom. The bolts are 3/8" X 4 1/2" and go through the chain holes. Carriage bolts would work if you wanted to fabricate a square hole for them. The hex head seem to be fine and I may find some stainless steel bolts to replace them if this arrangement works out. I considered tacking them to the top piece of angle iron but the bolts really need to move around to get them through the bottom holes.

I just put it on this afternoon so I have no idea about the vibration. I don't know how I would know unless it comes loose or it's obvious it has moved around. It is surprisingly rock solid the way it is, but I could always add a support on each end and stabilize it to that square tubing I mentioned above.

[MAW7228]

Got it. Thanks. By the way, can you send me a link for the lights? I would like to add this to my list of RV projects which continues to grow. Retired the end of July and my time is now spent tinkering with the RV. Drives the wife crazy but keeps me out of trouble

[Cate&Rob]

Something that you might want to also consider is replacing the OEM taillights with much larger and brighter lights. This gets the improvement up higher on the back of the trailer than lights at the hitch level. Use the search tool in the upper right corner on “Bargman” (the name of the light manufacturer) for discussions and pictures of this (relatively easy to install) alternative.

Rob

[Lonestar]

Got it. Thanks. By the way, can you send me a link for the lights? I would like to add this to my list of RV projects which continues to grow. Retired the end of July and my time is now spent tinkering with the RV. Drives the wife crazy but keeps me out of trouble

These are the lights I used:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

[Jkwilson]

Very similar to the way I used the same lights to get lights out past the bikes on my rack.

[Lonestar]

Mr. Wilson,

Very nice, you did a great job.. I assume you remove the rack when not in use. My lights will be out in the weather so hope they are really waterproof.

I've seen a module you can put in-line with the +12vdc break light wire that will cause the lights to blink three times when the brakes are applied, warning the driver behind you that braking is about to take place. Wish I could remember where I saw it.

[howson]

Mr. Wilson...

HEY MR. WILSON!!!!!!!!!! lol (In all seriousness, all of the moderators appreciate your contributions to this forum, Jkwilson !)


!

[Jkwilson]

Mr. Wilson,

Very nice, you did a great job.. I assume you remove the rack when not in use. My lights will be out in the weather so hope they are really waterproof.

I've seen a module you can put in-line with the +12vdc break light wire that will cause the lights to blink three times when the brakes are applied, warning the driver behind you that braking is about to take place. Wish I could remember where I saw it.

Installed the pulsing modules in mine. Very attention getting.

[Lonestar]

HEY MR. WILSON!!!!!!!!!! lol (In all seriousness, all of the moderators appreciate your contributions to this forum, Jkwilson !)

!

Sorry. I meant no disrespect.

[Jkwilson]

Sorry. I meant no disrespect.

None taken

[Lonestar]

I found a pulsing module on Amazon. I think I'll add it to my lightbar. Seems to be some question as to it's being legal in some states, but since it will be confined to the lightbar, and not the trailer's tail lights, I doubt it would ever be a question. Besides..........I don't think I would ever want to go to a state that didn't allow a few light pulses.

[howson]

I found a pulsing module on Amazon. I think I'll add it to my lightbar. Seems to be some question as to it's being legal in some states, but since it will be confined to the lightbar, and not the trailer's tail lights, I doubt it would ever be a question. Besides..........I don't think I would ever want to go to a state that didn't allow a few light pulses.

I've used a brake light modulator on my motorcycle for decades. The modulator only flashes a few times, though, and then stops. In fact it rapidly pulses at the start and then slows down until it quits. Suggest finding something similar--if the lights continually pulse with the brakes applied you're bound to attract "unwanted" attention. (Even the modulator I have on the bike is technically illegal, but I've never been hassled about it.)

If you want to see what this actually looks like, go to ~11:00 mark in the video below. (Obviously you can't install the exact same kit on a trailer that I put in my Goldwing but this will show the results that has worked well for me.)

[Lonestar]

That looks great on the motorcycle. Actually the one I want for the lightbar flashes rapidly for three pulses then stays on solid. I don't want to attract too much attention, just make it mildly obvious I am braking.