Reverse light mod on NorthPoint with pictures

[klassic]

I love having reverse lights. They should be a standard feature on all trailers, or at least an option.

From Amazon
Click here>>Robot Check


Attached lights to the 2x2 square channel that the hitch is welded to. They are safe there because the hitch's square mounting channel protects them.


Ran a 14ga wire inside 1/4" split loom from front to back attaching it to the bbq gas line using the existing clamps plus a few zip ties. Grounded the negative to the frame at the back and covered it in liquid black tape from the Depot. (I love that stuff)

Brought wire up the gas line into the propane tank compartment and covered with split loom.


Sent the wire through the floor under the bed through the existing hole that the slide wires go through. Tuck the wire behind the carpeted wire chase towards the left side of the closet.


There is an existing hole going through the closet wall at the bottom left. Then ran wire up behind the wall panel and out at the bottom shelf level.


Put split loom on the wire and some clamps, and ran it under the shelf and though the handy space they left on top of the panel into the front cap area.


Took out front shelving unit (it's all one piece with some screws holding it in) and brought the wire to the center area of the cap.


Reach under the floor and feel for the front side of the hitch mount. There is a couple other wires going out there too. Fish the wire though the little gap/rubber weather stripping into the pin box mount area


Follow the 7 way trailer wire through the side of the pin box mount and fish the wire out the 2" hole behind the light beside the pin box. Pull out the 7 way wires and locate the yellow wire that is capped with a wire nut. (That is the middle reverse light pin of the 7 way connector). That is the connection point for the reverse lights.

[klassic]

These things are bright.
I think I need to angle them outward a little more.

[need-a-vacation]

Looks like that will work for those late night arrivals!!!

I have had a set of reverse lights on my utility trailer for over 10yrs, very helpful!!! Just haven't put a set on the tt yet.

Great mod!!!

[klassic]

Not only late arrivals... When I get home in the dark I have no street lights and a 150' driveway. These are essential.

[Magnolia Tom]

Very nice Klassic! I may need to add this to my list [emoji3]

[Mustang65]

Nice!!!
Don

[need-a-vacation]

Originally Posted by klassic

Not only late arrivals... When I get home in the dark I have no street lights and a 150' driveway. These are essential.

Still a late arrival regardless of where the destination is. Lol

May not be the preferred destination though!!!

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Nice!!!
Don

Yes! Very nice. I also like your earlier pic of the 7-pin wiring behind the hitch light. An excellent mod and an excellent post.
Thanks!

[robertkellar79]

This is on the list of must dos

[nhfire152]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[RoyBraddy]

A very Nice job on the install.... Lots of thought gone into your project...

Looking at the specs on the LED LIGHT BAR from the AMAZON site I wasn't able to come up with a required DOT NUMBER for those of us here in the USA. I'm am pretty sure without the DOT NUMBER stamped on the lens we folks here in Virginia would have a state inspection problem. Anything mounted on the front and rear of our vehicles have to follow STATE DOT requirements. Those items mounted that do not qualify must be removed before a State Inspection Sticker can be issued. Another state inspection requirement here in Virginia is that the REVERSE LIGHT must be controlled by the reverse action of the vehicle - not just a switch that the user manually turns on. I personally have not run into this on RV State Inspections but have had problems with my OFF-ROAD Jeep light bars doing similar installs. Just something for all wanting to do this to check into before putting alot of money into your purchase.

The other issue I noticed is that this LED ASSY has an operating 12VDC range of 10VDC to 30VDC. This indicates to me that a buck boost regulator circuit is most likely used and this unit may interfere with HDTV and high frequency radio operations. Of course being a back-up light this probably would not be of much concern to the RV user.

Just some of my thoughts for concern from my past experiences installing vehicle/trailer safety lights...

Roy Ken

[norty1]

Thanks for posting a well documented and planned mod.

It should be very helpful to anyone contemplating adding these lights or even just routing wiring for any project.

[havnfun]

Sweet job, Classic!! Thanks for the detailed pics. Another for my list also.
Happy RVing,
Jeff

[klassic]

Thanks for the info Roy.
At least in Ontario RVs are exempt from annual inspections.

Those lights I used were straight from China. Only documentation was a Chinese sticker on the side of the box. And they are cheap
I'm sure a DOT registered light can be used, but I was looking for a LED that was bright, black and low profile so it wouldn't hang lower than the hitch mounting bar. With these low profile lights the mounting bar would be the first thing to hit the ground if the rig went up one of those rear end scraping inclines. I didn't want the lights to get scraped off.
These lights fit the bill.

I was unaware of the HDTV interference. I hope I never back into a sight next to you while you are watching TV. You'll know why you lost your channel

[spepi]

I have been looking for this all weekend.....I knew I saw it here somewhere. Is it possible to use the harness on the factory installed wiring for the rear hitch for reverse lights?

[Jagiven]

Very nice, I have thought of doing it for a few years. I have been concerned about the dog's tie out catching on them as our htt is very low to the ground.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by spepi

I have been looking for this all weekend.....I knew I saw it here somewhere. Is it possible to use the harness on the factory installed wiring for the rear hitch for reverse lights?

Only if you have a Cedar Creek!

I called Jayco (and I had a little bit of attitude) and asked if they pulled 4 wires to the back, like my previous Cedar Creek.
They told me they used to, a long time ago....!!!!

Not only are these rigs 40+ feet long but they are listing for 70k plus.
Why not pull 50 cents worth of wire to the back? And add it to the list price.
Why not just make reverse lights standard. (I'm not sure why this isn't government enforced)
Why not, at the least, soak the buyer of some more money and make reverse lights an option. I would have paid it.
Ugggg.

So no, there is no wire back there.

Spepi, I'm only thinking about NorthPoint and Pinnacles. Your HT could be a whole different ball game

[Magnolia Tom]

Klassic

Did you do your wiring with the slide in or out? Trying to figure out which way gives easier or better access to fish the wire. Does it even make a difference?

[klassic]

With the side 3/4 out. You need to lift the bed and not be too big (I'm at almost the limit 6'4 240.)
Lay down between the bed and the closet and tuck you head into the little space. Look to the middle at the back and see the wires coming from the propane area, thought the floor. It will be hard to reach if you have short arms.

[Cdash]

I like that. Been considering sound that on my old trailer, but too late now!

One I get the new rig, I'll add this to the list.

I've often thought about adding lights on the frame in FRONT of the wheels aimed back and out in addition to one's in back. That way I can watch the wheels for obstacles and see my spotter. For some reason, it really bags me to not see the wheels very well when backing into a sight at zero dark thirty. Hoping that would give me ample light without creating a campground mob squad coming after me. I'd probably just wire to a switch in a storage compartment that we turn on and off manually (no inspections to worry about in Michigan).