Tractor trailer???

[Thomas]

Not required in states...wondering why trailer doesn't have back up lights let drivers know he's going to or he is backing up?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Because when the trailer starts appearing larger you know driver is backing up.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Not required in states...wondering why trailer doesn't have back up lights let drivers know he's going to or he is backing up?

One more light to worry about, lol! I cannot speak for other drivers but when I was in a commercial vehicle I used my four ways and blew the horn as well as tried my best to ascertain that no one was behind me. Hint, no amount of lighting will negate the ignorance of some drivers.

 

[Alan W.]

One more light to worry about, lol! I cannot speak for other drivers but when I was in a commercial vehicle I used my four ways and blew the horn as well as tried my best to ascertain that no one was behind me. Hint, no amount of lighting will negate the ignorance of some drivers.

Yes on the fourways. Never hit the horn, if it was night knew other drivers would be asleep and during the day they could see me moving.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Hint, no amount of lighting will negate the ignorance of some drivers.

Yup, anyone who has driven a commercial vehicle will have numerous memories of clueless drivers attempting to pass on the right when swinging wide to make a right turn.

 

[4570Man]

Not required in states...wondering why trailer doesn't have back up lights let drivers know he's going to or he is backing up?

I don’t know why all vehicles don’t have backup lights that are halfway decent. I have two 18 watt led pods on the back of my truck and it’s a huge improvement. After I get around to mounting a backup camera and 2 more lights sideways it’ll really be an improvement.

 

[Norm W]

Backing into loading docks at night, sometimes the only light to see the back end of the trailer and the dock was the four ways. Even worse was backing into an inside dock in bright sunlight. If the dock didn't have loading lights for the fork lift drivers, I would put a flashlight on the dock pointing out, and back to it. Always plan on driving forward and if you have to back up, "GOAL" get out and look.

 

[strantor]

I don't know. Seems like they would. I put backup lights on my 20ft car hauler and it made a world of difference backing it into my narrow driveway at night. I can't imagine trying to back a 53ft trailer with no lights. Seems pretty stupid. America is pretty advanced but we usually don't have the most advanced safety regulations in the world.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

SOME of the trucks in my former employers fleet had work lights that came on when the steering axle was locked (essential for backing a four axle dump trailer) but the majority of trucks didn't.

 

[charlton289]

I know what y'all are talking about I drove otr for 20+ yr and most of mine was over size it can be tricky when you have a 12' load an try to back up road or in a job site and even when on a job site alot of the times nobody would help guide. But I team drove with my wife (the expert) she would always have me back in to places because she thinks she is the best backer but I have had to keep her hitting things in plan sight. But as one of said with the flashlight is a big help but if the shipper or receiver would put up better lighting it would help too. But overall I found backing with the 4 ways helped at least to see the general area is. I read the other day where a 69 yr old driver was pinned between his truck and other after he had backed in a spot and got out to look and forgot to set his brakes and the truck rolled back and crushed him between the truck next him. It's sad to say but accidents happen but a brain fart can and will kill you. It's the same running our tractors one minute your reaching to move something out the way and soon as you do here it comes heading right for and with your feet tangled or slip in the mud and next it's on top or got you against a tree with no one there to help you. I don't mean to change the meaning of the thread but it has been on my heart the past few days with winter coming slick conditions and we all get complacent and think to ourselves I have done this before and every thing will be fine but there is that one moment when ooops !!! So please guys and girls try to keep it in your mind about should I do it this way or step back and think about it for a minute it could save your life or somebody there with you. Y'all have a good day and be safe out there.

 

[strantor]

If I was a truck driver I'd invest in (or build, if they don't already exist) a wireless night vision backup camera with magnetic base that I could just slap onto whatever trailer I'm pulling and back it up like magic. I've been contemplating putting a permanent one on my car hauler.

I know, I know what the truckers are gonna say... "blah blah these younger folks are so reliant on technology and if you can't back a 9ft wide trailer 18mi down 7ft wide corridor in the dark with the lights off and badger gnawing on your ankles then you don't need to be driving a truck bla bla bla" but hey, I'm not a trucker. And if I was, I'd probably work for Swift. So That's what I'd do.

 

[MitchellB]

I used to be a semi trailer mechanic and never saw one with backup lights. I can probably count on one hand the number of box trucks I've repaired that had backup lights. Like someone said, just another pair of lights to check & repair. Personally, I think it is a good idea to have backup lights on a trailer. but I do not like the idea of it being a law that every trailer has to have backup lights. I seen some pretty ratty trailers go though the shop that could barely keep a reflector from falling off, much less keep the bulbs, wires, socket, grounds and fixtures working for more than one or two trips. I do have backup lights on my little cargo trailer though. They really help me out at night, but I do most of my trailering in the daylight anyway.

 

[Alan W.]

If I was a truck driver I'd invest in (or build, if they don't already exist) a wireless night vision backup camera with magnetic base that I could just slap onto whatever trailer I'm pulling and back it up like magic. I've been contemplating putting a permanent one on my car hauler.

I know, I know what the truckers are gonna say... "blah blah these younger folks are so reliant on technology and if you can't back a 9ft wide trailer 18mi down 7ft wide corridor in the dark with the lights off and badger gnawing on your ankles then you don't need to be driving a truck bla bla bla" but hey, I'm not a trucker. And if I was, I'd probably work for Swift. So That's what I'd do.

Sounds like a buddie of mine. He was always saying Truck Driver My ***** when he saw a driver not doing something right. But to give him credit he was a natural at truck driving.

Fun is trying to get a 53 footer into a Nashville C-Store in the early morn when the clubs close. Even with your partner spotting its pandomonium.

 

[MitchellB]

Every so often, we'd see a brand new shinny over the road semi truck and trailer pull into the gates and the new driver (sometimes old) could not even come close to backing up the rig into the trailer shop. Someone else would have to either guide him in or actually back it up for him; and this was in broad daylight. Some of those long haul drivers spend 99% of there drive time going forward and are lost puppies when required to back up. I was lucky that backing up trailers off the lot into the shop with the wreck of a yard truck we had got to be pretty easy, especially the long 53 footers. It's the short trailers that can surprise you because they turn so quick. To this day, I prefer to use outside mirrors on a car instead of the center mirror or turning around to look over my shoulder. I made the mistake of letting my wife back up my pickup I once had out of the driveway and she opened the drivers door and turn around to look backing up and ripped the door off the pickup on a gate post. No back up light can help her.

 

[QRTRHRS]

The issue is largely one of compatibility. There has to be a means of turning the backup lights on that would have to be retrofitted onto x amount of vehicles. Way more often than not, trailers get swapped around rather than to stay with the same tractor. Similarly to your car or truck, it would be better to have it work off of being in reverse so someone does not drive off blinding others behind them. But then, having a light on while you pull ahead to reposition would be helpful. You do see some trucks with an rearward facing light located up high behind the cab. I would think mostly these are owner operators.