Recommendations For Adding Tail Lights To A Kuat NV 2.0 Bike Rack

Published 10/26/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Tail Light Converter with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(367)

$26.94

12 Gauge Wire - Black Primary - Per Foot

(30)

$2.01

Rubber Grommet for 4" Round Trailer Lights - PVC

(224)

$4.44

3-Wire Pigtail for Optronics Trailer Lights - 3-Prong PL-3 Plug - 10" Lead

(381)

$4.69

Trailer Light Mounting Bracket for 4" Trailer Lights, Steel - Black Powder Coat

(52)

$4.68

Curt Auxiliary LED Indicator Lights

(244)

$32.94

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 5

(1104)

$8.26

Valterra Hose Clamp - Stainless Steel - 4-1/8" to 5" Diameter - Qty 1

$3.90

Hopkins Endurance Easy-Pull Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Connector - Trailer End - Jacketed - 48"

(137)

$11.07

Optronics LED Trailer Light - Brake, Tail, Turn - Submersible - Round - Red

(1642)

$13.94

Quick Splices - Self-Stripping Connector - Closed Port - 10-12 Gauge - Yellow - Qty 1

(56)

$2.88

Question:

I have a 2001 VW Eurovan camper with a hitch and a Kuat NV2 bike rack. I would like to put tail/blinker/brake lights on the back of the rack and looking for a good solution. Kurt makes adhesive lights for this purpose 53201] that may be a good solution. I have retrofitted my van with led brake/tail/blinker lights. Can I use your standard flat 4 adapter for wiring my rack lights? So, 2 questions. What is best rack lighting and best way to connect to my van. Thanks

asked by: Alex K

Expert Reply:

Though you will need to have a 4 Flat on your 2001 VW Eurovan, and for this I do recommend the Curt # C56175, adding lights to your Kuat NV 2.0 is definitely a good idea.

I went through all our options for adding lights to a bike rack or cargo trailer, and the Curt Auxiliary LED Indicator Lights # C53201 will be the good option, but there is a potential issue. The base of the rack is not the same length on both sides and the arm the swings up and tightens down on the wheel will give you pretty limited amount of space on one side. Especially with each light measuring 7 inches long.

I technically have another option, but it will require a bit of work and quite a few parts to accomplish. I have everything listed below with the quantities needed, but basically this will be an LED light mounted in a bracket that will then be attached to the rack via a hose clamp. It definitely will not be as pretty as the Curt, but it will most likely fit the rack better.

Qty.2 - Optronics LED Trailer Tail Light - Stop, Tail, Turn # STL43RB
Qty.2 - Rubber Grommet for 4" Round Trailer Lights # A45GB
Qty.2 - Trailer Light Mounting Bracket # BK45BB
Qty.2 - 3-Wire Pigtail # A45PB
Qty.1 - Hopkins Endurance Easy-Pull Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Connector # HM38134
Qty.2 - Valterra Hose Clamp - Stainless Steel - 4-1/8" to 5" Diameter # H03-0019
Qty.3 - Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector # DW05745-5
Qty.1 - Quick Splice Wire Connector # SWC501915-1 (to splice the ground from one side into the included ground with with the # 002402)
20 to 30 feet of 12 Gauge Black Primary Wire - per foot # 12-1-1 (probably a little overkill at 30 feet, but I like to have extra if needed)

Again, not pretty and a lot of parts, but this will fit the rack better. One thing I would check if you decide to go this way is the diameter of the bottom tube on the rack. The # H03-0019 will most likely fit, but it never hurts to double check.