Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals


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zzotto21
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Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by zzotto21 »



One of the reasons I am trying to get more lights on my 1994 1500 SE is because the other day I almost got rear ended, in a line of traffic waiting for someone to make a left hand turn, by a young man in a service van who was texting on his cell phone. He had to pull onto someone’s grass on the right and I went left next to the car in front of me. Needless to say, it scared the crap out of me.

So I am looking for something to be more visible from the rear: I would like a light bar that I can plug into my trailer hitch (1 1/4”) that has a brake light, turn signals, etc. Ideally, it would be raised up somewhat, so it has more visibility than if it was at the height of the trailer hitch.

Does anyone know of such a product? And if not, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

Bob

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Andy Cote
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Andy Cote »

IMHO, the trailer hitch location is too low. On my GL1500 I mounted a six LED emergency service brake light on top of the trunk rack. On my Valkyrie Interstate, I mounted the same light on a bracket that I fabricated to go between the passenger backrest and the trunk. The emergency service brake light would flash five times quickly then go solid and it was very bright. Get it high and in their face. It also contributes to the triangle effect with the trunk and pannier lights. Lights in a triangular pattern have proven to be more easily judged for distance and speed.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by aj1500 »

another thought, I did this on my wife's 1500 trike and it really stands out, I took a red LED strip light and mounted it across the rear horizonal bar of her luggage rack on the trunk. her bike does not have a spoiler so this works like a spoiler light but is much brighter and it is at eye lever to anyone behind it. I agree if your adding lights for better visibility to others from behind you have to get them up in their line of site
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Rambozo »

Also a flashing brake light can help. But really you could set your bike on fire and some people would still not see it. Keeping on eye on what's behind you and always having an escape route is the only way to be sure. It has saved me many times.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Happytrails »

Rambozo wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 2:43 pm But really you could set your bike on fire and some people would still not see it.
Maybe feeling much the same way here. Installed a tailblazer and had a wig wag setup for my lights. Dont feel it made a difference I got tailgated just the same. Best thing I did was changed how I ride.

Sorry about your accident and hope you find a solution that makes you happy.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by WingAdmin »

These are the brightest rear-facing LED's I've seen. They flash when you brake, and they are absolutely attention-getting, you can't ignore them:

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/hyper_ ... sal/149690

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/hyper_ ... sal/149667
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Andy Cote »

WingAdmin wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:40 pm These are the brightest rear-facing LED's I've seen. They flash when you brake, and they are absolutely attention-getting, you can't ignore them:

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/hyper_ ... sal/149690

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/hyper_ ... sal/149667
The Hyperlites are fantastic. I have used them on three bikes; brake lights on two, turn signals on the third. I now have the combination three function lights on one of my trailers. They also make a specialized version shaped to fit the back of the GL1800 rear speaker pods - again, up high.

Cyclemax also has the SoCal ultra bright LED replacement bulbs, either solid or five quick flashes then solid.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by DenverWinger »

Andy Cote wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:47 pm Cyclemax also has the SoCal ultra bright LED replacement bulbs, either solid or five quick flashes then solid.
I put the SoCal LED replacements with the five flashes in the Brake Light sockets in the trunk, left the lower brake lights below the bags as standard incandescent. Evidently just two incandescent load is enough to keep the cruise control happy without needing load resistors.

The SoCal replacement bulbs are very bright, and the five quick flashes then solid do get attention!
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by C-dub »

Rambozo wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 2:43 pmBut really you could set your bike on fire and some people would still not see it.
That's kinda what I'm thinking. If they aren't looking it doesn't matter how many lights you have.

I still have my stock tail lights and at night when I'm at a stop I can see the road for 50-100 feet behind me lit up in red when I touch the brakes. On the rear camera too when on the move. People gotta be looking to see anything at all.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by zzotto21 »

How does one install those hyper lights?
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Andy Cote »

The units are fairly small, either eight or 16 LEDs. You will need to decide if you want brake only or brake and turn and where you want the new lights to be located. They come with 3M high bond tape. They sell a bracket that bolts behind the license plate otherwise, you may need to fabricate a mounting plate or bracket.

Once mounted, you will need to tap the wiring harness for brake, tail and/or turn signals. There's a ground connection of course. Since you have a trailer hitch, it may be easiest to trace those connections back to the harness.

You need some mechanical and electrical experience/knowledge but on a 1 to 5 scale this is probably just a low 1.

https://hyperlites.com/
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by FM-USA »

One would need the light from an atomic bomb blast to be noticed by inattentive drivers.
Bright red or flashing lights are in essence meaningless.


In all basics those rear lights don't work if someone looking at their phones. Humans forward vision is less than 10% and centered, anything out of that area is seemingly invisible, unless it moves. Compound that with cellphones one is driving blind.
I thought of a loud air horn pointing out the rear but with today's high powered car radio noise it's doubtful that will work.
What to do?
When stopping or slowing down for 'X', FIRST, look in your mirrors for possible inattentive drivers. SECOND, (stop of course) but point your bike in a direction you can quickly accelerate to NOT be hit. Leaving extra room behind the vehicle in front of you does ZERO good since you'll just get squashed but gives you room to maneuver. THIRD (if you have time) honk your horn to alert others. They may be able to get out of the way also.

.

.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Andy Cote »

My son in law drives a fire truck that is fluorescent yellow, eight feet wide and nine feet tall, has 152 lights that strobe, flash, revolve or spin, multiple air horns, three sirens and no mufflers (loud pipes save lives!) and people still fail to yield, fail to stop, follow too close or otherwise do self centered actions that risk other people's lives.

There is no way to guaranty that "the other guy" will do the right thing. Driving defensively helps. Increasing conspicuity helps. Adding lights and horns helps. But, there is no absolutely prevention. More tools in your box is all we can do.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Andy Cote »

There is one thing I haven't tried but MAY keep you from being rear ended.


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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by FM-USA »

LOL!!!+!
States require under 18 (some 16) to wear a helmet.
Watch for those BLUE LIGHT SPECIALS flashing behind you. :D
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Happytrails »

That baby loves the goldwing :)
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by WingAdmin »

I can make one major suggestion to help with this, over and above lights: when I come to an stoplight, I keep my bike in gear with the clutch pulled in, and the bike pointed to one side or the other of the car in front of me. I then watch my mirrors closely. If I see anyone coming up behind me that looks like they are not going to stop, I am going to rev the engine, dump the clutch, and get out of the way. Let the car in front of me take the hit instead of me.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by AZgl1800 »

WingAdmin wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 4:59 pm I can make one major suggestion to help with this, over and above lights: when I come to an stoplight, I keep my bike in gear with the clutch pulled in, and the bike pointed to one side or the other of the car in front of me. I then watch my mirrors closely. If I see anyone coming up behind me that looks like they are not going to stop, I am going to rev the engine, dump the clutch, and get out of the way. Let the car in front of me take the hit instead of me.
Scott,

I have preached this for decades, and it does NOT get enough followers.....
M/C riders still pull up almost to the bumper of the vehicle in front, with no hope of avoiding a Rear End collision.

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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by WingAdmin »

AZgl1800 wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 7:16 pm
WingAdmin wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 4:59 pm I can make one major suggestion to help with this, over and above lights: when I come to an stoplight, I keep my bike in gear with the clutch pulled in, and the bike pointed to one side or the other of the car in front of me. I then watch my mirrors closely. If I see anyone coming up behind me that looks like they are not going to stop, I am going to rev the engine, dump the clutch, and get out of the way. Let the car in front of me take the hit instead of me.
Scott,

I have preached this for decades, and it does NOT get enough followers.....
M/C riders still pull up almost to the bumper of the vehicle in front, with no hope of avoiding a Rear End collision.
I used to pay lip service to this, doing it once in a while...until one day, several years ago, I was on my GL1500 just outside Detroit at about 8 am, sitting at a stop light in a six lane road. I was not paying attention, just waiting for the light to change, and WHAM, the car right next to me shot ahead into the intersection, where it got hit by crossing traffic. It had been rear-ended by another car that had not been paying attention. That could just as easily have been me.

From that point onwards, I started doing this EVERY time I come to a stoplight. And paying a lot more attention!
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Rambozo »

WingAdmin wrote: Tue Nov 30, 2021 4:59 pm I can make one major suggestion to help with this, over and above lights: when I come to an stoplight, I keep my bike in gear with the clutch pulled in, and the bike pointed to one side or the other of the car in front of me. I then watch my mirrors closely. If I see anyone coming up behind me that looks like they are not going to stop, I am going to rev the engine, dump the clutch, and get out of the way. Let the car in front of me take the hit instead of me.
That situational awareness has saved me at least 3 times, twice on a bike and once in a truck. Once on the way to work with a passenger on the back of my CB750 in a left turn lane. I saw the car coming up fast in my mirrors and pulled up along side the car in front of me while almost losing my passenger. He banged on my helmet to complain, when the speeding car slammed into the car I was along side and drove it into the car ahead of it. I don't think the driver ever touched the brakes and was probably doing 40 to 50 mph. Totaled all three cars.

In my truck I was crossing a railroad track when the brand new Cadillac ahead of me suddenly realized the crossing light and bell were going. (It had been for a long time, it was common for that crossing as they park trains on that siding.) The Caddy slammed on the brakes stopping right on the tracks! I hit the brakes, stopping only a foot or so from the bumper. Of course once stopped the first thing I did was look in the mirrors and saw a VW squareback coming up fast. So I leaned on the brakes to try not to get pushed into the Caddy. My truck was a heavily modified 62 Chevy C20 with a custom giant steel rear bumper. The VW plowed into me, but at first I thought he must have hit the brakes as it only shook my truck like going over a speed bump. But when I got out I saw the VW was mangled. Both front wheels were sideways and pushed back to the windshield. It had no bumpers as he was just taking it to a paint shop after restoring it. My bumper was just slightly bent down, I told the kid not to worry about it as I felt bad for his project car.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by bigsteveswing »



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This is what I did. Changed the spoiler lights to LED, wired them for brake instead of running lights, and then added the strobe flasher. With the sidecar it makes it pretty difficult to aim for escape route at lights.

I would like to think a 7 foot wide red rig with strobe brake lights would be noticed, but I nearly got rear ended once by a fuel oil truck while I was driving a bright white Grumman furniture delivery truck, so I am always watching now.
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Dirtrack650 »

Here's the tail of my 83 1100. Super bright. I also wear a HiVis jacket.


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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by WingAdmin »

I did the same thing on mine, the spoiler was already a brake light, I just added this LED flasher module to it, and here's the result:



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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Dirtrack650 »

Sweet. I use 1157 red LED flasher bulbs. My headlight is LED with white or amber halo ring. I have this flasher on the ring with a selector switch:
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Re: Trailer Hitch Light Bar with brake and turn signals

Post by Happytrails »

Something similar for my brake lights. Really like the spoiler lights.



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