I do a lot of backing up in campgrounds late at night, and wanted to put reverse lights on my trailer just so I can see other vehicles, trees, etc (and people can see I'm backing up).

The trailer is all LED, but someone told me LED trailer reverse lights are not as bright as the incandescent ones - anybody know? I'm ok with either one - just don't wanna waste money on LED if they're not brighter...

I would be using the 6 1/2" ovals, if it makes a difference. Thanks!

The shitty part about LED's is the angle of their light. So they would be great for spot lights off the back. But they are not as good for a 'flood light' effect that you can get with a good incandescent.

The shitty part about LED's is the angle of their light. So they would be great for spot lights off the back. But they are not as good for a 'flood light' effect that you can get with a good incandescent.

Good info - this trailer's gonna be kinda tall (lights @~26"), so I'm leaning more towards incandescent...

Tractor-style flood lights..

Another thing to think about is getting enough POWER to those backups lights.
I would personally wire them into a relay that is powered from the trailer's batteries. That way almost no power from the truck is used, but there is plenty of power to the flood lights.

On the trailers I have seen, there are many types of lights, but the one that seemed to really stand out were the 150,300,500 watt halogen flood lights that some trailers have.
Those suckers are BRIGHT!
But the simple truth is, almost any damn flood light back there will make a WORLD of difference.
I would also try them out before permentantly mounting them as well. Cause ones that are lower to light up the ground are great, but having something up higher will definitely help for other stuff like branches, wires, poles, and other crap like that. And with the tall trailer (I have one just under 12' high), it really helps to watch out for stuff like that as well.

Tractor-style flood lights..

X2

X2

X3 Just get some 55w H3 lights and throw them under the back of the trailer. They will light up EVERYTHING. And you will actually be able to see when you back up. Another problem with LED is they are expensive compaired to an H3.

Another thought is add a few down the sides of the trailer for turning. Good luck.

LED's don't cut if for throwing light compared to incandescents (unless you drop some mega dough). Couple '08 cars will have LED headlights, but it'll be a while before it's cost effective enough for most cars.

Thanks for all the great info - LED's are out!

I'm sorta resigned to the 6 1/2" ovals to match the brake lights, even if I give up a little in lighting. Mounting under the trailer might work, but I seem to have an inate ability to take out anything that isn't "protected"... Course the last trailer was a LOW beavertail that drug on EVERYTHING... :rolleyes:

I'm wondering if I can put some H3 (or similar) bulbs in a normal oval housing... Might need some rigging to work, but might get the best light...

FWIW I have the oval incandescents for backup lights on my blazer, and they were a big improvement over the stock lights. I plan to put a pair on my trailer if I ever get around to it.

Pete