Exploring the Lighting Options for Your Tow Bar Trailer

When you are towing a trailer on a road trip, remember that you’ll want to have the proper lighting setup to ensure that the cars around you can see your brake lights or blinkers. This is an often overlooked element of the towing process, which is why it is prudent to understand the options at your disposal when you plan on taking a long trip and want to haul a vehicle or storage trailer behind you. With a variety of wiring kits available, assess what you will be towing, the wiring capabilities that are already integrated into the trailer design, and the price range you are looking at, and you can get the perfect lighting setup without any hassle. To give you the information you need to accurately make a sound decision, we are going to outline the three most common kits you will come across.

Removable Light Kit

Removable kits are perfect for those who have a tow bar, but rarely tow in their travels. Your dinghy will have all of the necessary lighting capabilities: braking lights, turn signals, and running lights. Further, the entire system comes completely wired, and you can move the setup from vehicle to vehicle, giving you quite a bit of flexibility if you are looking to save money and get only a single lighting system for all of your towing needs. Magnets will hold the lights to your trailer or vehicle, and because it is designed to be removable, the system is one of the easiest to install. It is worth noting, however, that you will likely want to secure the wiring to your towbar to prevent the wiring from getting damaged during the trip.

Diode Lighting Setup

If you are a regular tower, you’ll likely want a more permanent solution to your vehicle lighting situation. Diode light systems involve hooking all of the necessary wiring up to your towbar plugs and leaving it there even when you have nothing in tow. Your dinghy will be hardwired to always be safety compliant when in use, and all of the existing lights on your trailer are used. There is a lot of flexibility when using diode light systems, so be sure that you take the time to properly install it. Once completed, you’ll seldom have to worry about it again.

Semi-Permanent Tow Bar Lighting System

If you’re somewhere in between the regular tower and the sparing tower, the semi-permanent lighting solutions are likely exactly what you are looking for. Your trailer has lighting houses that are used for signaling and running lights. However, a setup such as this one integrates into that system without using the actual lights that are on your trailer. You can leave the integrated design in place even when you aren’t towing, so this particular options remains as convenient as the more permanent options we have outlined.

When you are traveling long distances, you’ll likely want to consider having a tow bar installed and bringing a trailer or smaller vehicle along with you. However, you should never overlook the safety impact of towing, which is why it is important to assess the lighting situation of your dinghy. There are a few various installation options that can match up with your towing frequency and budget. Consider what your travel habits will encompass, determine what you will be towing a majority of the time, and select a system that meets all of your needs. Towbars and lighting systems are two of the most important purchases a traveler can make. Make the right choice, and you’ll only be making this purchase once.