Any ideas for adding flood type lights to a trailer? I figure I could use small, flush mount lights in the (wood) deck facing up. What about side facing lights though?

Something cool would be a little pill-box shaped thing on a side rail with a bulb shining sideways, towards the deck. Have it stick up just an inch or so with a steel cover over the top and outsides so you could drive over without worry.

Do you think LED would be bright enough for flood lighting?

--Dan

Something like this... Think a series of these up both sides would be worth the trouble of making???

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=252892&stc=1&d=1152155760

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=252893&stc=1&d=1152156937

Use those LED rope lights along each side, it would look like a landing strip but thats the point right? Or weld a piece of angle on the top rail and sink the lights in to protect them

I saw someone recess lights into the deck itself.
I'd do it, but to me it seems like more work then benfit.

We've done them for people before. We've recessed them into the wood (very time consuming), recessed them into the center of each fender (pretty easy), and just plain bolted them on (also easy). Out of the ones that we've done, I've never had a customer tell me that they couldn't live without them. Actually most say that they don't really even use them. As far as wheelers go, we've never done them for wheelers. Most wheelers these days have a nice set of rock lights that work great for lighting the deck when you go to tie down. Anyhow...........

No matter how you choose to install them, you can hook them up to a toggle switch either off the trailer or in the truck. Just run the hot wire from the trailer plug up to a switch on the trailer and then down to the lights. Or you can put a switch in the truck and run a wire from the switch to the trucks plug. With a 7rv plug, just take out the center pin wire (reverse lights) and wire in the new deck light wire. Then from the trailers plug to the lights. We've done it both ways and either way works fine. You could also add a deep cycle battery to your trailer and run the lights off of that. There are many different ways of doing this type of set-up and many different types of lights that can be used. It also depends on how much light you are looking for.

There are many different ways of doing this type of set-up and many different types of lights that can be used. It also depends on how much light you are looking for.

Probably not anything really bright. Enough to aid in loading and tie-down, and to give lighting for working under the truck on the trailer as well. The more I think about it, the more it seems a line of lights up the middle would work better. My only concern with that is if I'm using the trailer for something other than a vehicle. Junk, appliances, equipment, etc. I'd have to be more careful not to roll a hand truck over them.

--Dan

With a 7rv plug, just take out the center pin wire (reverse lights) and wire in the new deck light wire. Then from the trailers plug to the lights.

Do trailers not have reverse lights? Or do you just end up with the deck lights coming on as well if you put it into reverse?

Do trailers not have reverse lights? Or do you just end up with the deck lights coming on as well if you put it into reverse?

Most trailers don't have reverse lights.

I have reverse/deck lighting hooked up on mine. Just took a PIAA 500 and mounted it on the spare tire carrier in the front center of the deck and then have 2 Hella 550 rectangular floods on the back of my rear wheel fenders with a switch on the tongue. I hooked up a switch onto the reverse light wire in the 7pin connector going to my dash. So I can let the trailer lights work as reverse lights or turn them on manually to load/unload. It's the best mod I have made to the trailer because I am always loading up late at night and its great to back up with confidence let alone load without a flashlight in hand.

Probably not anything really bright. Enough to aid in loading and tie-down, and to give lighting for working under the truck on the trailer as well. The more I think about it, the more it seems a line of lights up the middle would work better. My only concern with that is if I'm using the trailer for something other than a vehicle. Junk, appliances, equipment, etc. I'd have to be more careful not to roll a hand truck over them.

--Dan
If you don't need anything that is super bright then I would consider a pair of the clear LED lights from Roundeyes. If you placed one on the inside of each fender and faced them at each other, it would probably be enough light to load up and hook up your straps. They are small enough that you probably wouldn't ever hit them with anything, and they don't cost that much at all. Plus, you wouldn't have to take the time to recess them into anything.

Here is a link to the little LED's I'm talking about: click here (http://www.roundeyes.com/LED_Lighting-Ulimate_Off_Road_LED_s_Red.html)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=252892&stc=1&d=1152155760

Those would be kind of cool but my tire would kill that when driving over them, the rope light sounds like a good plan. Those cheap running lights from the auto part store would probably work too, just mounted about an inch below the edge so the tires don't get em.

I just put the truck in reverse with the key on and chock the wheels... the reverse lights are usualy enough to throw on the trail to see the tie downs.

Get some 12V flood lights, and mount them to a magnet. Then you could run wires down each side of the trailer and plugs, then you could plug the lights in, stick them to the trailer, move them if necessary, and remove them if they are in the way.

Most equipment shops have these available with a long harness on them with alligator clamps on the end, so you just hook them to the machines battery, stick it to the frame and have light while wrenching.

Michael

Get some 12V flood lights, and mount them to a magnet. Then you could run wires down each side of the trailer and plugs, then you could plug the lights in, stick them to the trailer, move them if necessary, and remove them if they are in the way.

Most equipment shops have these available with a long harness on them with alligator clamps on the end, so you just hook them to the machines battery, stick it to the frame and have light while wrenching.

Michael

That's a good idea. You got a pictue of what you're describing?

If you pick up an extra male trailer plug, same as whats on your tow vehicles, and mount it to the lights instead of the alligator clips, you could keep them in the truck and have removable spot lights. just make sure to wire them so when the running lights are on the truck, the floods come on to.

just my $0.02