By Tony K
Probably the first and most commom change we make to our rigs is to add lights. Just remember there are some things to consider before you just bolt them on. Whenever I add lights to my rig they are always powered through a relay. This makes it easier to make long runs to a switch that may be no where near the lights. It also allows you to switch lights on and off with your headlights. Which is what I do with my driving lights. I used to have a set for both high and low beams but I decided to simplify things at this point and just have a set that comes on with my low beams and stays on with the high beams.
-Off the Back-
Back up lights can be a big help if they are put in the right place. Down on the bumper they will not be near as useful as a pair mounted on top of the roof. All you have to do is use them in the woods once and you won’t ever want them lower. Having them up high makes them useful as
work lights too. Just point the rig where you want things lit up and flip the switch. They are a big help when backing up my camp trailer in the dark as well. The light goes right over the top of the trailer and I can still see where the trailer is headed.
-Rocklights-
If you ever intend to wheel in the dark you are going to want some rock lights. Mine are not anything special, just some compact driving lights that are pointed at my axles. Having the under carriage lit up makes the spotters job so much easier. And a happy spotter is a good spotter.
And to prevent the need to carry a bunch of different spare bulbs, all my lights have the same H3 halogen bulb. I only carry a couple of them.
-Interior-
Not all my lights are on the outside. I have a Map light on the dash that is really helpful and prevents having to turn on the dome light which tends to blind everybody. I even put a red lens in it to preserve what little night vision I have. A Maglight is attached to the drivers door. Swapped out the bulb for an LED and this thing never seems to run down batteries. I was going to attach 12V lights to my tailgate but I found these Swivel Head LED
lights that run on 3 triple A batteries. The magnetic base makes them handy to move anywhere I need them, even under the rig to fix something. Wife tends to grab one at night when we are camping too. And the battery charger I have in the console makes sure I don’t run out of batteries.
-Eric’s Camp Light-
The latest edition to the portable sun collection is the moveable light on Erics Spare tire. I always thought about this but it took Eric to put it to metal and wires. It’s a great light for camp as it is much more easily directed where you need it compared to the lights on the back of my rack. It also pivots and can be adjusted for height.
