Wiring reverse lights on a Ranch Hand bumper

[solocam_aggie]

Picked up a bumper for my 08 dodge, and needing to wire the reverse lights on the bumper to the truck. My thought was just to tie the two lights to the reverse light wire running to the tail lights on the truck, but researching it I see where some are calling for a relay and a hot wire ran to the battery, although these were for bigger LED lights. Anyone done this and can confirm what's actually needed? Thanks!

[Abctx]

As long as you’re not getting carried away (using some lights with more than a couple of amps draw), you should be fine just tapping your existing lines. If you want some serious lumens back there, then, yes, better wiring/relay may be necessary.

The two backup LED’s that came with my Ranch Hand were simply tapped into the existing wiring going to thr truck’s tail lights (2015 Ram 3500).

[WItoTX]

You should be fine, especially if doing LED cubes, they don't draw too much power.

However, if you can do it, I would run the bumper lights to a separate switch so you can use the lights when parked (hooking up and unhooking camper in the dark or setting up camp for example).

[Quackerbox]

Ive tapped two sets of them into reverse light circuts

[FLASH_OUTDOORS]

You should be fine, especially if doing LED cubes, they don't draw too much power.

However, if you can do it, I would run the bumper lights to a separate switch so you can use the lights when parked (hooking up and unhooking camper in the dark or setting up camp for example).

This. Especially the last part. It’s nice to be in park and flip them on..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[JTCowpoke]

I wired mine to a switch. I use them all the time for shutting gates after dark.

[SaltwaterSlick]

I wired mine into my current F150 and also my ranch truck, a Chebby Z71... They come on when I put the trucks in reverse. If I want to use them for opening/closing gates and such, I set the parking brake and put 'er in reverse... For extended time, I shut the engine off with the trucks in reverse...

[Raider4044]

Run them to a three-way switch with a relay. That way you can have them come on when you put it in reverse, turn them on manually, or turn them off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shwacker1911]

Just wire to the 7 way plug reverse wire. Only trailer I have seen with reverse lights has been one cargo trailer

[Welding Teach]

Run them to a three-way switch with a relay. That way you can have them come on when you put it in reverse, turn them on manually, or turn them off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

About to add some to my truck. Question on what you have said---So a three way switch. My thinking would be one position is for reverse, one position is off and the third position would be on. Is that what you mean?

[Bard]

I had a light wired into the reverse light and it sure pi**ed off some folks at night in town and other places. I agree with the "separate" switch route.

[Raider4044]

Wiring reverse lights on a Ranch Hand bumper

About to add some to my truck. Question on what you have said---So a three way switch. My thinking would be one position is for reverse, one position is off and the third position would be on. Is that what you mean?

Correct. You would run one wire from your stock reverse lights and then one hot wire to the switch that will trigger the relay.

This diagram is for headlights, but same concept.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk