Reverse Light Recommendations for a Motorcycle Trailer

Updated 08/10/2010 | Published 08/09/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Optronics LED Trailer Utility Light - Submersible - 10 Diodes - Oval - Clear Lens

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$24.53

2-Wire Pigtail for Optronics Backup and Utility Trailer Lights - 2-Prong PL-3 Plug

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$5.85

PVC Grommet for 6-1/2" Oval Trailer Tail Lights

(981)

$2.14

Trailer Light Mounting Bracket for 6-1/2" Oval Trailer Lights, Steel - Black Powder Coat

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$13.87

Question:

part number BUL72CB. can i use these lights for backup lighting on my motorcycle trailer? how many would i need ? . i presume they are waterproof not that i would submerge a motorcycle trailer. thank you for your time

asked by: steve

Expert Reply:

If the trailer is one designed to carry a motorcycle, you can add some reverse lights to it. I recommend two lights, one on each side of the rear of the trailer. There are better suited lights for this application. I recommend the Sealed, 6-1/2 inch LED Clear Oval Trailer Utility Light, 10 Diode, # BUL72CB. These lights are submersible. You will also need a rubber grommet, # a70gb, for each light, and a pigtail, # A45CB, for each light. To mount the lights, you can use Mounting Bracket # BK70BB.

You would then need to wire the lights to come on with the tow vehicle reverse lights. You would need to convert the tow vehicle and trailer from 4-Way to 5-Way wiring using the Hopkins Endurance 5-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Kit - Vehicle and Trailer Ends, # HM47890. The extra blue wire would be for the reverse lights.

If you are talking about a trailer pulled behind a motorcycle, that will be a little different. Backup lights turn on when the vehicle is put in reverse. So on a motorcycle with a trailer, you do not have this option, but you can wire them to work with the running lights. Since motorcycle lights are on all the time, the lights would be on all the time as well. Because a motorcycle trailer is narrow, you can use two of the BUL72CB lights. The LED lights referenced would be too bright since they would be on all the time.

expert reply by: Michael H