Can you see behind….I can

[Blaydon]

Hi folks. We had a problem with reversing onto our drive. The gap is tight, and as soon as the back of the vehicle gets passed the gate posts, the reversing lights a lost in the garden because of the wall.
So……. Many years ago I came up with a plan, and now I can see.
I have fitted a pair of white LED working lights under the MoHo, just behind the front wheels. They shine back at an angle, focussing about where the back wheels are, and about 2 feet out to each side. I used a relay, with a live from the engine battery, and the trigger from the reversing lights. This means I don’t have to mess about with an extra switch, the additional lights come on when the usual reversing lights come on.
The lights were about £30, and the relay, in-line fuse and wires were about another £10

I have found to relay useful on Ferries, in car parks and other places too.
I have seen lights like this on a few trucks, and there was a Motorhome called a Landliner that had them, ( I think they called them docking lights) but I haven’t seen anything of late.

So you are more than welcome to the idea, and I hope it is something at helps.

What modifications have you done to make your life better?

 

[jolly]

Hubby cut the hedge right back and the reversed the Volvo into a spike and put a hole in the bumper. Oh well it is an old Volvo but runs great. It is only our 3rd Volvo. The oldest was 20 and had to go to scrap yard and I cried.

 

[63720]

Brilliant, I've seen these on supermarket delivery vans.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Hi folks. We had a problem with reversing onto our drive. The gap is tight, and as soon as the back of the vehicle gets passed the gate posts, the reversing lights a lost in the garden because of the wall.
So……. Many years ago I came up with a plan, and now I can see.
I have fitted a pair of white LED working lights under the MoHo, just behind the front wheels. They shine back at an angle, focussing about where the back wheels are, and about 2 feet out to each side. I used a relay, with a live from the engine battery, and the trigger from the reversing lights. This means I don’t have to mess about with an extra switch, the additional lights come on when the usual reversing lights come on.
The lights were about £30, and the relay, in-line fuse and wires were about another £10

I have found to relay useful on Ferries, in car parks and other places too.
I have seen lights like this on a few trucks, and there was a Motorhome called a Landliner that had them, ( I think they called them docking lights) but I haven’t seen anything of late.

So you are more than welcome to the idea, and I hope it is something at helps.

What modifications have you done to make your life better?

Is your modification legal as they are not at the back of the vehicle? Have you checked this as it would be a pity if your ideas fell foul of the law.

Have you noticed a few trucks are equipped with cameras for the rear view, no mirrors. Seen several over the last couple of months.

 

[eddie]

On RV's they are called "Docking lights" and are inset into the body at 45 degrees

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[glenn2926]

Brilliant, I've seen these on supermarket delivery vans.

So have I seen the Sainsbury’s van with lights under the rear of the van to illuminate the area around the rear wheels. Looked like a good idea.

 

[Robert Clark]

On RV's they are called "Docking lights" and are inset into the body at 45 degrees

View attachment 549982

Now a factory fitted option on Morelo’s

 

[Blaydon]

Is your modification legal as they are not at the back of the vehicle? Have you checked this as it would be a pity if your ideas fell foul of the law.

Have you noticed a few trucks are equipped with cameras for the rear view, no mirrors. Seen several over the last couple of months.

Good point. If I got pinched, I would argue that the light come on only when reversing, and are there to spot pedestrians and bikes. If required, I could use yellow LED working lights but y might be quite as clear. I will take my chance in court, your honour.

 

[63720]

So have I seen the Sainsbury’s van with lights under the rear of the van to illuminate the area around the rear wheels. Looked like a good idea.

Asda(?) have them fitted behind the front wheels facing rearward at an angle of about 45° illuminating the kerb and driveways.

 

[Clivefog]

Had them fitted to our Compass Cruiser.