bicycle cover & tail light visibility

[hbgs]

We bought a bicycle cover for the Swagman XTC bike rack in preparation for taking two bikes south this winter. We tested the cover on the bikes using the bike rack on the truck, not the 17' Escape trailer, and are now wondering whether the cover over bikes will obstruct the tail/brake lights on the Escape. Anyone have experience with this? Our trailer is in storage so not easily testable until we're ready to head south.

We noticed that most people don't bother with covers at all. How grimy do the bikes get?

[escape artist]

Hi: hbgs... In some jurisdictions you must install a second set of lights and also move your license plate out to the farthest point to the rear if those are blocked by the accessories. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[gabe]

I was pulled over in Arizona and told by a policeman that I had to have extra tail-lights installed because the bikes were obstructing the tail-lights. So, last month, I took my 17B to Chilliwack and had the boys at the factory install an extra pair of tail-lights over the rear window. They did a beautiful job..........tail-lights and indicators can now be seen very well............and the cost of installation was VERY reasonable.

[Thane]

If you can make back to the factory then having them add tail lights above the window is a great idea. If you want do do it yourself, then this is how I did it. I really like the added back up light.
http://escapeforum.org/index.php?topic=1496.0