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Old 11-02-2008, 02:57 PM   #1
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External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

It is pretty easy to add external lights to the rear and driver's side of an Escape, these come in handy when parking at night and camping in out of the way places. Please see this link to FiberglassRV.com for details.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/in...escape+trailer
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Old 01-11-2009, 07:39 PM   #2
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I did the same but also had one placed on the front so hooking up and acessing my tongue box was easier. I wish I had also placed one at the rear but thought I could use the backup lights, but have not yet figured a way to wire them in w/o interfering with the normal function. I also wanted them hooked up to a single switch so the "porch light" switch lights all four sides for security purposes. Not to leave them on but just so I could investigate strange noises in the night and/or chase critters away. I boondock camp a lot.

Ace

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Old 01-12-2009, 07:03 PM   #3
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Hi: All...We have one just behind the 5th. wheel pin leg for night getaways(makes a great indirect night light also), and one on the service side of the trailer for possible night water/ power hookups!!!
Escape Artist N.S. of Lake Erie p.s. they were factory installed.
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:08 PM   #4
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights


I discussed adding a couple more lights to the back of the my Toad with Reace. He wasn't enthusiastic about how useful they would be in backing. Problem is the backup lights on your tow light up and illuminate the white trailer, making it difficult to see beyond. If you could install a switch to cut the tow vehicle backup lights, it might make the lights on the trailer useful.
He also showed me a neat trick if you want light at the back at camp. I'm not going to describe it because if you mess up, you really mess up. It involves a short piece of wire that connects the backup circuit to the ground, lighting up the backup lights.

baglo
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Old 01-12-2009, 08:17 PM   #5
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Hi: all...IMHO the only good idea I've seen for reverse lights on a trailer had them mounted on the rear bumper pointing down at the ground.
Escape Artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 01-13-2009, 12:11 PM   #6
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Because of the aforementioned situation, I'm trying to figure out a not too expensive rear view camera arrangement. My minivan has a back-up camera that is very useful even in the dark. Systems can be purchased on line, but if one isn't very knowledgeable, major headaches can result. http://www.rvcams.com/merchant2/merc...e_Code=RBCARVS , http://www.rearviewcamera.net/carter...tercamhome.asp , http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/ are some of the sites I've viewed. I understand they can also function as a rear view mirror, remaining on while towing.
Camping World is no bargain, but the last time I looked, they had some slightly lower prices. If any Escape owner has rigged one up, I'd like to hear from them. I'm looking into one of those license plate cameras, but I've been told that they cannot remain on because the monitor heats up.
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Old 01-13-2009, 05:22 PM   #7
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

also, sams club has the 100 dollar special. Some are very expensive for what you get,another idea is amazon.com and look under security cameras, pages and pages of all kinds and types .some are good prices some are high.
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Old 01-13-2009, 06:35 PM   #8
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights


All the cameras I've seen are only good for 16' wireless. So you'll have to run wire from the back of the trailer to the unit on the dash.

baglo
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Old 01-19-2009, 10:10 PM   #9
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo

I discussed adding a couple more lights to the back of the my Toad with Reace. He wasn't enthusiastic about how useful they would be in backing. Problem is the backup lights on your tow light up and illuminate the white trailer, making it difficult to see beyond. If you could install a switch to cut the tow vehicle backup lights, it might make the lights on the trailer useful.
He also showed me a neat trick if you want light at the back at camp. I'm not going to describe it because if you mess up, you really mess up. It involves a short piece of wire that connects the backup circuit to the ground, lighting up the backup lights.

baglo
Reace cautioned me on the same thing and he is right but the problem is easily overcome. While backing stop every now and then and shift to nuetral with your foot on the brake. The brake lights alone should give a pretty good picture. Another trick I have seen done is to hang a towel or something over the tow vehicles rear lights.

My personal solution was to add a pair of bright driving lights to the trailer bumper, aimed slightly down and out. Also if the camp sight is very tight I will place a lit flashlight on the ground as an aiming point (I travel alone with no one to assist the backing porcess).

Ace

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Old 02-22-2009, 08:15 AM   #10
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

When Tali and I bought the Outlaw Oliver, we had the factory mount a rear-view camera for us. We have this one...

http://www.rvcams.com/merchant2/merc...ategory_Code=1

and have been very satisfied with it. I find that I can still get a clear signal from the transmitter when the tug is several hundred feet from the trailer.
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Old 02-22-2009, 09:31 AM   #11
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I have never used a camera on a trailer. Is this for safety reasons should a kid or something go behind like it is on some new cars? I do like Sandras idea that you could leave it on while driving so you know whats close behind.

I have a backup camera built in to my Pilot and find it quite useless because of the distortion at the wide angle it has, and instead rely on the mirrors.

Ace, I just noticed your idea of laying a flashlight down at night for a guidance point, good idea.
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Old 02-22-2009, 11:07 AM   #12
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I like the flashlight idea and it gave me another idea. I bought a couple of those warning triangles from Wal-Mart. They illuminate with LEDs, so I can use them for guidance as well as for warning of a disabled vehicle.

They were quite cheap, about $10 each as I recall.

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Old 02-22-2009, 01:26 PM   #13
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by scubarx
When Tali and I bought the Outlaw Oliver, we had the factory mount a rear-view camera for us. We have this one...

http://www.rvcams.com/merchant2/merc...ategory_Code=1

and have been very satisfied with it. I find that I can still get a clear signal from the transmitter when the tug is several hundred feet from the trailer.
What I had in mind is a camera substitute for the rearview mirror while driving This appears to be the solution. When in the sequence of the "build" was it mounted? Has the price dropped? Thanks for the link and info. Nice to have you visit.
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Old 10-16-2011, 10:02 PM   #14
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I recently saw an add for a coloured video camera that you place in a childs room to monitor a small child whie the infant is sleeping, I believe it was about fifty bucks.

The beauty of it is it also has infrared function that makes it possible for you to watch the child in the dark.

The unit has a wireless remote screen that can be as far as 350 feet from the camera, and it all runs on batteries.

I was looking at this and considered it could be mounted on a trailer with magnets.

I am still considering.

Doug
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Old 10-16-2011, 11:31 PM   #15
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra L

What I had in mind is a camera substitute for the rearview mirror while driving This appears to be the solution. When in the sequence of the "build" was it mounted? Has the price dropped? Thanks for the link and info. Nice to have you visit.
Looking at a camera monitor while backing up is one thing. You can stop and actually look at it.

Looking at a monitor while driving means you are taking your eyes off the road and surround. You have to focus and refocus your eyes.

I'll stick with my mirrors. A quick glance, eyes front, another look and a decision.

I have an extension on my driver's side mirror so I can see vehicles in the distance that may be overtaking at speed. I have one for the passenger side, but I don't use it because I found it takes too long to figure out what you're looking at ( the same issue I would have with using a camera monitor ).

baglo
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Old 10-17-2011, 09:00 AM   #16
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I have to agree with baglo, I don't think using the camera as a rear view mirror is a wise thing. With proper towing mirrors you will be able to see well behind you. Even without a trailer, I rarely rely on the center mirror, as it shows such a narrow field of view. The side mirrors cover just about everything.
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Old 10-17-2011, 05:47 PM   #17
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

The camera monitor on the rear of the trailer should not be on while driving.
It is to be used as is the back up camera on your truck.

To be used only when (backing) parking the trailer.

Doug
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Old 10-17-2011, 07:31 PM   #18
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Further. I noted today while driving, that when I glance in the mirror, I do not have to refocus because I'm not looking at the mirror - I'm looking at the reflection of an image in the distance, but when I looked at my TomTom GPS it took a second to focus on the near object and then refocus on the road.

baglo

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Old 10-18-2011, 09:48 AM   #19
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Further. I noted today while driving, that when I glance in the mirror, I do not have to refocus because I'm not looking at the mirror - I'm looking at the reflection of an image in the distance, but when I looked at my TomTom GPS it took a second to focus on the near object and then refocus on the road.

baglo

Baglo that is an excellent bit of wisdom. I am becoming steadily more concerned with the amount of extraneous devices used in vehicles today. It seems nearly every time someone makes a crazy move on me on the highway anymore that they are talking on a cell phone. Now with all the computerized gadgets being integrated into dashboards I think people will be paying less and less attention to what should be their ONLY job as the driver of a vehicle - driving.

Eric
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Old 10-18-2011, 10:01 PM   #20
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Re: External Lights, Added exterior rear and driver's side lights

I grew up in the LA area, so it is ingrained in me to look frequently in my rear view mirror as a form of self defense. In our driver's ed (in the days when they gave it in school), that was emphasized. I'd use the monitor as its replacement. . I haven't researched it, but I think ideally it would be nice to have it as a component of my rear view mirror.
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