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Installing a reverse light in your trailer hitch . . . .

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Aron9000, Oct 23, 2018.

  1. Oct 23, 2018 at 12:12 AM
    #1
    Aron9000

    Aron9000 [OP] New Member

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    Anybody done this?? I back into my dark ass driveway, back into spaces at night, mom and dad's house is a PITA to back out of their long ass driveway, really I'd just like some sort of reverse light on the rear bumper that works like a headlight.

    I'd be open to any kits that mount in that receiver hitch. I'd like to avoid drilling into my truck, I don't tow all that much either and I definitely am not connecting to a trailer in the pitch black middle of nowhere.

    Any recommendations on light kits? Brighter the better. I'd also like to know how you wired this sucker up. Did you use the trailer harness? Reverse light harness on the tail-lights?? I've wired up a few custom stereo installs, so I feel confident on the wiring aspect.
     
  2. Oct 23, 2018 at 2:39 AM
    #2
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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  3. Oct 23, 2018 at 3:28 AM
    #3
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I used some single row leds and used bumper mounting bolts. I thought floods might be better but lights are spots. Actually the spots are probably better. Wired in to reverse wire at tail light.

    WP_20171211_20_11_59_Pro.jpg
    WP_20171211_20_11_48_Pro.jpg
     
    JoshuaA and Prostar 190 like this.
  4. Oct 23, 2018 at 4:32 AM
    #4
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Check out this thread, post #425
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/tri-state-area-members.20704/page-15

    PM Mike, @mgm16trdpro
     
    mgm16trdpro likes this.
  5. Oct 23, 2018 at 4:51 AM
    #5
    1UPPER

    1UPPER Not A New Member

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    Flux capacitor!
    I had the white night reverse spot lights on a previous truck. It’s very easy to install, bright and clean looking. 388EB2B1-5CC2-4DB6-BA28-57A17D3C6CE2.jpg

    Here’s another option with leds. This mounts around the hitch ball.
    4556AED1-7A47-4D07-AFA3-9A166327AC4A.jpg
     
    JoshuaA likes this.
  6. Oct 23, 2018 at 5:15 AM
    #6
    mgm16trdpro

    mgm16trdpro Certified Modoholic

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    Ici magnum side steps in linex, factory spray in bed liner, remote start,afe pro dry filter, dap tune,sso slimline hybrid OEM bumper with baja designs 30" s8 driving combo,warn platinum xeon winch, baha designs squadron sport fogs in amber wide cornering with fog pocket kit, gtr headlight LEDs, 295/70r18 nitro ridge grapplers, g2 painted red calipers, 1.25 spidertrax spacers, bed slide pro 1000 se and 5 bin package, diamondback HD bed cover with ATV package and black package, 2 auto access led strips in bed, husky full coverage exact contour mats with custom logos, V led leds interior lights, tuffskinz mid console/&rear cupholder package, mid console tray and organizer, 2 JL 10s in custom sub box, 4 Hertz door speakers,2 hertz tweeters, other audio upgrades, tinted front windows, weathertech in channel rain guards, artic coating, reverse tail light section and third brake tint, ami big stick antenna, 2 CB shims +3 shackle, cb steer kit, Trd dual exhaust, trd skid plate, vled footwell kits front and back, factor 55 winch fairlead and prolink, gen y torsion hitch, bushwacker color matched fender flares with black powder coated rivets, trd rear sway bar, covercraft cargo bar and cargo net, recovery gear, custom shifter and middle console.I'm sure other things I'm forgetting too
    Hi Aaron, Jim tagged me to help. If u look at the post he tagged, I had a setup from hitchworks that worked great. Take a look at their site, they sell all different setups. Only reason I sold was my fault on too much of a drop on the hitch for my offroad use. Besides that it was great. I decided to put some baja designs squadrons cutout into just the black plastic part and I'm very happy with them now. Any questions feel free.
    20180518_203728.jpg
    20180618_225726.jpg 20181021_155254.jpg 20180830_202930.jpg
     
  7. Oct 23, 2018 at 5:44 AM
    #7
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    Changing out the reverse bulbs with bright LEDs and installing a Putco Blade gave me lots of white reverse light and killed two birds by adding additional safety, a bright red brake strip with turn signals for those following behind me.

    If that’s not enough, then any of the above solutions would give you headlight stength if that’s what you really need. The white wire right in the middle of the trailer harness is the reverse light tap.
     
  8. Oct 23, 2018 at 10:57 AM
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    Stumpjumper

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    that is what I did. Looks like the same lights I used. I have a double row set on my boat trailer. I wanted a lower profile on the truck so went with the singles. I think they were less than $30 on Ebay or Amazon. The ones I have on the boat trailer have held up to probably 15 dunks on the ramp.
     
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    #8
  9. Oct 23, 2018 at 11:04 AM
    #9
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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  10. Oct 23, 2018 at 9:40 PM
    #10
    mgm16trdpro

    mgm16trdpro Certified Modoholic

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    FB_IMG_1539037543666.jpg
    Screenshot_20180803-102029_Instagram.jpg
     
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    #10
  11. Jan 3, 2021 at 4:07 PM
    #11
    CM2007

    CM2007 New Member

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    Before I install any extra hardware I want to try the brightest reverse bulbs available...what are the brightest?

    Mike
     
  12. Jan 3, 2021 at 5:03 PM
    #12
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I first put leds in the reverse light sockets. They do well to the side but not straight back. I ended up adding recessed pods in bumper. This was after I had a set of single rows mounted to the bottom of the bumper that failed.
     
    CM2007[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jan 3, 2021 at 6:28 PM
    #13
    CM2007

    CM2007 New Member

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    Ok. Your case makes me wonder if there’s a way to redirect the brightest LED bulbs to a better angle...just a few degrees would make a big difference it seems like. Thanks for the info.
     
  14. Jan 3, 2021 at 7:48 PM
    #14
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    Check out Vleds.
     
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