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Author Topic:   Spot Light on Tow Vehicle

Newtauk1 posted 02-17-2011 08:38 AM ET (US)
Has anyone mounted a spot light on the rear of their tow vehicle? I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer and thought the fixed light on the rear of the truck would be helpful at the boat ramp in the dark. If you have doen this please share your installation process.
Buckda posted 02-17-2011 09:34 AM ET (US)
In some states, it is illegal to do this installation if it can be activated while on the road (either purposefully or by accident).
I've seen guys rig an inexpensive flood lamp purchased at Wal-Mart to a 2X4 and rigged the cable to the tow outlet. Turn on the truck lights, and the spotlight activates. It must be unplugged so you can plug in the trailer lights again.
Something to consider.
Phil T posted 02-17-2011 09:46 AM ET (US)
John -
A few years ago I tackled this issue.
There are no lights at my local ramp. Additionally, adjacent to the ramp is a tanker pier. When there is a ship offloading, the ship's deck floodlight cause a terrible glare.
I considered mounting a Go-light brand portable spot light with an additional magnetic base. The light would be for the boat and the magnetic base was to be used on the back of the truck's hatch.
After a long review, I scrapped the idea and installed an auxiliary set of driving lights under the rear bumper of the truck. The lights are wired to the battery with an inline fuse and there is a switch on the dash.
The lights work great. I can send you a photo.
Jefecinco posted 02-17-2011 09:55 AM ET (US)
New,
Sorry, I have not installed a spotlight on my tow vehicle. My truck has both a bed illumination lamp and reverse lights. Between the two I believe I would have enough light to launch or retrieve at night although I have not tried it. I usually open the tailgate before backing the trailer. Of course, your Blazer has a different set up.
I also have a hand held spotlight for the boat. The bigger issue for me for night launching and retrieval would be coming into the dock to pick up or discharge passengers. To do that safely I would use the portable spotlight. A nice feature of the spotlight is that it is rechargeable and can be both recharged and operated by plugging a cable into the electrical socket at the helm or the truck dashboard. I believe it was about $30 on sale at West Marine.
Perhaps a hand held spotlight would serve your needs.
Butch
Newtauk1 posted 02-17-2011 09:56 AM ET (US)
Thanks Phil. Pixs would be great. I like the idea of mounting under the bumper. What did you use for a switch?
Phil T posted 02-17-2011 10:26 AM ET (US)
Here is the photos thread on T4R.org
[URL]http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45536-can-you-post-pics-low-profile-fogs.html[\URL]
I bought a basic kit from NAPA ($40) that came with the lights, wiring harness, inline fuse and switch.While the switch doesn't match, who cares. I used an empty knockout on the dash.
I ran the wires from the battery down to the firewall grommet and threaded it through To run the wires to the rear, I unscrewed the inside door trim and then slid the wires under the interior rear panel to the trunk area. To get the wires below the truck, I lifted the carpet and poked a hole in one of the floor grommets.
My bumper had a predrilled hole near ech corner so I used them.
Hope this helps.
deepwater posted 02-17-2011 07:26 PM ET (US)
Newtauk1 and Phil T,,I did the same thing to my Tacoma,,I used 2 white driving lights for under the front bumper and just drilled 2 holes under the rear bumper I ran the wire and a fuse with a toggle switch to my console,,Make sure the lights are out of the spray and splash from the rear tires or have good mud flaps
contender posted 02-17-2011 07:36 PM ET (US)
Like some of the previous post, I have seen some people mount small lights (head lights for mowers, small 12 volts) under their bumpers of the tow vehicles. Some have connected to their owned switch some are connected to the reserve light. I like the idea of your own switch....good luck
Newtauk1 posted 02-18-2011 11:06 PM ET (US)
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/ 45536-can-you-post-pics-low-profile-fogs.html
Newtauk1 posted 02-18-2011 11:09 PM ET (US)
Nice job Phil. Thanks for the great photos.
Over the LINE posted 02-22-2011 07:46 PM ET (US)
I have had back up lights on my last three tow vehicles. I would not be without them. I like them pointed low enough to see the trailer wheels and what is under the trailer. This is the kit I used on my Titan.
http://www.kchilites.com/lights/26-series/2x6-back-up-black/

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Author	Topic: Spot Light on Tow Vehicle
Newtauk1	posted 02-17-2011 08:38 AM ET (US) Has anyone mounted a spot light on the rear of their tow vehicle? I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer and thought the fixed light on the rear of the truck would be helpful at the boat ramp in the dark. If you have doen this please share your installation process.
Buckda	posted 02-17-2011 09:34 AM ET (US) In some states, it is illegal to do this installation if it can be activated while on the road (either purposefully or by accident). I've seen guys rig an inexpensive flood lamp purchased at Wal-Mart to a 2X4 and rigged the cable to the tow outlet. Turn on the truck lights, and the spotlight activates. It must be unplugged so you can plug in the trailer lights again. Something to consider.
Phil T	posted 02-17-2011 09:46 AM ET (US) John - A few years ago I tackled this issue. There are no lights at my local ramp. Additionally, adjacent to the ramp is a tanker pier. When there is a ship offloading, the ship's deck floodlight cause a terrible glare. I considered mounting a Go-light brand portable spot light with an additional magnetic base. The light would be for the boat and the magnetic base was to be used on the back of the truck's hatch. After a long review, I scrapped the idea and installed an auxiliary set of driving lights under the rear bumper of the truck. The lights are wired to the battery with an inline fuse and there is a switch on the dash. The lights work great. I can send you a photo.
Jefecinco	posted 02-17-2011 09:55 AM ET (US) New, Sorry, I have not installed a spotlight on my tow vehicle. My truck has both a bed illumination lamp and reverse lights. Between the two I believe I would have enough light to launch or retrieve at night although I have not tried it. I usually open the tailgate before backing the trailer. Of course, your Blazer has a different set up. I also have a hand held spotlight for the boat. The bigger issue for me for night launching and retrieval would be coming into the dock to pick up or discharge passengers. To do that safely I would use the portable spotlight. A nice feature of the spotlight is that it is rechargeable and can be both recharged and operated by plugging a cable into the electrical socket at the helm or the truck dashboard. I believe it was about $30 on sale at West Marine. Perhaps a hand held spotlight would serve your needs. Butch
Newtauk1	posted 02-17-2011 09:56 AM ET (US) Thanks Phil. Pixs would be great. I like the idea of mounting under the bumper. What did you use for a switch?
Phil T	posted 02-17-2011 10:26 AM ET (US) Here is the photos thread on T4R.org [URL]http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/45536-can-you-post-pics-low-profile-fogs.html[\URL] I bought a basic kit from NAPA ($40) that came with the lights, wiring harness, inline fuse and switch.While the switch doesn't match, who cares. I used an empty knockout on the dash. I ran the wires from the battery down to the firewall grommet and threaded it through To run the wires to the rear, I unscrewed the inside door trim and then slid the wires under the interior rear panel to the trunk area. To get the wires below the truck, I lifted the carpet and poked a hole in one of the floor grommets. My bumper had a predrilled hole near ech corner so I used them. Hope this helps.
deepwater	posted 02-17-2011 07:26 PM ET (US) Newtauk1 and Phil T,,I did the same thing to my Tacoma,,I used 2 white driving lights for under the front bumper and just drilled 2 holes under the rear bumper I ran the wire and a fuse with a toggle switch to my console,,Make sure the lights are out of the spray and splash from the rear tires or have good mud flaps
contender	posted 02-17-2011 07:36 PM ET (US) Like some of the previous post, I have seen some people mount small lights (head lights for mowers, small 12 volts) under their bumpers of the tow vehicles. Some have connected to their owned switch some are connected to the reserve light. I like the idea of your own switch....good luck
Newtauk1	posted 02-18-2011 11:06 PM ET (US) http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/ 45536-can-you-post-pics-low-profile-fogs.html
Newtauk1	posted 02-18-2011 11:09 PM ET (US) Nice job Phil. Thanks for the great photos.
Over the LINE	posted 02-22-2011 07:46 PM ET (US) I have had back up lights on my last three tow vehicles. I would not be without them. I like them pointed low enough to see the trailer wheels and what is under the trailer. This is the kit I used on my Titan. http://www.kchilites.com/lights/26-series/2x6-back-up-black/