Doing a light check when alone?

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Most tow vehicles license plates are hidden by the trailer. I just don't worry about the small stuff. Leave it up to the state inspections and walk arounds occasionally. BTW, I replaced the trailer taillight assys with leds to minimize the burnout bulb problem.

Hope it never happens, but couldn't some guy who rear ends you and then hires a hungry lawyer to say your brake light (s) weren't working and that's the reason he's suing you for his bad back and or neck?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Isn't that what I said in my #6 post?

How come you always got to argue?

I do believe you started in post #6 "...if they work when you check them, that doesn't mean they will work the next time."

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Have several law enforcement friends in Masonic Lodge and they will tell you they can follow any vehicle a couple of miles and pull them over for something or other should they choose to do so. They even say that about their own fellow officers. 99.9999% of them use common sense though.

Once again - see my #6 post.

Once again - how come you always got to argue?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

Hope it never happens, but couldn't some guy who rear ends you and then hires a hungry lawyer to say your brake light (s) weren't working and that's the reason he's suing you for his bad back and or neck?

Be kinda hard to prove with the rear end and lights smashed and besides, rear end collisions are usually the fault of the one who rear ends you. So many feet per mph gap between cars?

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I do believe you started in post #6 "...if they work when you check them, that doesn't mean they will work the next time."

I suggest you change your ID from Old Coot to Ornery Old Coot.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B47

I suggest you change your ID from Old Coot to Ornery Old Coot.

G'nite, you win!

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Be kinda hard to prove with the rear end and lights smashed and besides, rear end collisions are usually the fault of the one who rear ends you. So many feet per mph gap between cars?

You ever watch Judge Judy or those daytime TV lawyer advertisements?

People will sue for almost any reason these days.

[B47]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

G'nite, you win!

OK - so we will see the ID change tomorrow?

[Terier]

In the beginning I asked fellow campers if my all of my lights were working. Now I look for the reflection or glow from the brake lights.

TeresaInCAL - Thanks for mentioning the hazard lights!

[SammySabre]

I Use a 12" x 6" patio brick/block to push down on brake pedal. Then I go check the brake lights. This is the only way you can check your high/3rd brake light all by yourself if you don't have a reflection behind the lights to check with.

And yes cops love using a burnt out bulb to pull you over. Now while you are pulled over, they check you for dwi, proper paperwork, and other issues. I used to do bail bond work in a former life and most people got sent to jail via a small flaw in their vehicle causing the cop to pull them over.

[B47]

Originally Posted by SammySabre

I Use a 12" x 6" patio brick/block to push down on brake pedal. Then I go check the brake lights. This is the only way you can check your high/3rd brake light all by yourself if you don't have a reflection behind the lights to check with.

And yes cops love using a burnt out bulb to pull you over. Now while you are pulled over, they check you for dwi, proper paperwork, and other issues. I used to do bail bond work in a former life and most people got sent to jail via a small flaw in their vehicle causing the cop to pull them over.

I use a half empty gallon paint can - same thing.

Been quite a discussion on this thread with some good inputs. Glad I have one person agree with me regarding burnt out bulbs as a reason to pull you over.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SammySabre

I Use a 12" x 6" patio brick/block to push down on brake pedal. Then I go check the brake lights. This is the only way you can check your high/3rd brake light all by yourself if you don't have a reflection behind the lights to check with.

And yes cops love using a burnt out bulb to pull you over. Now while you are pulled over, they check you for dwi, proper paperwork, and other issues. I used to do bail bond work in a former life and most people got sent to jail via a small flaw in their vehicle causing the cop to pull them over.

They might pull you over for a burned out light, but that sure is not a jailable offense in any state.

[Capt. Mike]

Back when I was running fleets of school buses, most of the drivers used windshield scrapers wedged between seat and brake pedal to check the brake lights. Newer buses - ICs, specifically, have a single button that activates all of the lights at one time, just for the purpose of checking them.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Back when I was running fleets of school buses, most of the drivers used windshield scrapers wedged between seat and brake pedal to check the brake lights. Newer buses - ICs, specifically, have a single button that activates all of the lights at one time, just for the purpose of checking them.

I was wondering when some company would come up that. Interesting to see the various items people use to depress the brake pedal.

[OldCoot]

Much easier to turn the lights on and engage the 4 way flashers. Checks all lights on both tv and trailer as I don't carry patio stones or buckets of paint, etc and I check the lights every time before I get on the highway after parking overnight.

[SammySabre]

Funny how my snow scraper isn't in my truck during the summer months. That patio brick is in my garage. When you turn on the lights and 4 way flashers, it does not activate the high mounted brake light. Got to depress the brake pedal to check that. Checking lights when traveling, I like the back up to a glass window idea to check the reflection of ALL the lights. So for all the creative peeps on here, what method do you use to check your reverse lights?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SammySabre

Funny how my snow scraper isn't in my truck during the summer months. That patio brick is in my garage. When you turn on the lights and 4 way flashers, it does not activate the high mounted brake light. Got to depress the brake pedal to check that. Checking lights when traveling, I like the back up to a glass window idea to check the reflection of ALL the lights. So for all the creative peeps on here, what method do you use to check your reverse lights?

Step on the brakes, pull gear shift down into reverse, while getting ready to pull out. Checks the high mounted brake light and the back up lights all in one easy step by watching reflections in rearview mirror.

[B47]

Originally Posted by SammySabre

Funny how my snow scraper isn't in my truck during the summer months. That patio brick is in my garage. When you turn on the lights and 4 way flashers, it does not activate the high mounted brake light. Got to depress the brake pedal to check that. Checking lights when traveling, I like the back up to a glass window idea to check the reflection of ALL the lights. So for all the creative peeps on here, what method do you use to check your reverse lights?

I check my reverse lights and all other rear mounted lights off the reflection of something if available ( it's just a habit of mine - you would be surprised how reflective the large front bumper of a big rig tractor is). If I'm due for a reverse light check and nothing reflective is around,I simply start the vehicle,set the emergency brake,put it in reverse and get out and look.

[jrs_diesel]

Wow, didn't expect 2 pages so quickly on this.

Thanks for the great tips!

[C. Brown]

I keep it simple and just use the DW to check lights.