Strip of light, laser projection or whatever

-
diymirage

diymirage

HP@idle > hondaHP@redline
Joined
Oct 12, 2012
Messages
38,950
Reaction score
65,488
Location
michigan
See that orange strap?

I'd like a light of some sort that would project that pattern on the ground

(Figured I'd mount it on the lean top, below the roof)

There has got to be something out there, I just don't know what it's called

20250630_212826.jpg
 
I think you want a visual reference so you can back up with the trailer in a straight line?
In this case, a laser level can do the trick: choose a good brand (Bosch for example), and make sure the laser power is low to avoid eye damage. The one Dana67Dart suggests is OK (less than 5mW) although green lasers are much more visible than red ones.
 
Dana67Dart said:
context?
Click to expand...
Sorry, Yes, like @Fred P guessed, I'd like a guiding line to back the trailer up at night (the posts on the passenger side of the truck are a little close, but impossible to see)

Id love to have something that I can leave plugged in and is hooked up to a sensor, so I don't need to get out of the truck to turn it on
 
You could try installing a line of concrete pavers if you can’t find a laser that turns on remotely.
Ooops, just realized he wants night time illumination.
 
DFX 340 Duster said:
You could try installing a line of concrete pavers if you can’t find a laser that turns on remotely.
Ooops, just realized he wants night time illumination.
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, that (pavers or even a 2x6 ground contact piece of lumber) was my first idea, but I can usually get it right on the first try during the day
 

diymirage said:
both of those are great ideas, i might go with the LED rope (used it before)

only question would be longevity, i will be running it over with the truck and all
Click to expand...
You could look for some clear polycarbonate (Lexan) tube and slide the rope inside that. That would help keep it in a straight line too.
 
You could try a basic LED security light with a sensor like the ones we all have outside our back doors etc. Then take a piece of aluminium or tin or even heavy tin foil and cut a super fine slot in it, the tape that over the light, then aim it towards the ground. That will project a line onto the ground. It will be sharper closer to the light and blurrier further away, but should work.
 
How about a laser on the trailer and it points to a target you can see on the back wall laser in the middle and your good to go.

OR backup trailer cam!
 
Dana67Dart said:
How about a laser on the trailer and it points to a target you can see on the back wall laser in the middle and your good to go.

OR backup trailer cam!
Click to expand...
Back up trailer van might work, i wonder if i can tie that into the existing head unit?

Plus, with it being a boat trailer, it would need to be submergable

I dont think a laser on the trailer would work, there is no back to that lean top and though there is "stuff" there that would catch the laser, i dont think it would be in my line of vision
 
Do you have a straight shot at it, or do you have to jack it into the shed? If it's pretty much a straight shot, get you some red marking paint from Lowes or Home Depot and paint a straight line onto the dirt for a reference. You can respray it if it starts to fade. You could install a flood light in the shed, above the opening on the drivers side, shining backwards so it doesn't blind you at night. Make a wooden wheel chock to go behind the drivers side tire where you want the trailer to stop, and paint that red too so you can see it.
 
JDMopar said:
Do you have a straight shot at it, or do you have to jack it into the shed? If it's pretty much a straight shot, get you some red marking paint from Lowes or Home Depot and paint a straight line onto the dirt for a reference. You can respray it if it starts to fade. You could install a flood light in the shed, above the opening on the drivers side, shining backwards so it doesn't blind you at night. Make a wooden wheel chock to go behind the drivers side tire where you want the trailer to stop, and paint that red too so you can see it.
Click to expand...
Yep, I can pull onto the lawn and then its a straight shot back (provided i pull up far enough)



There is a flood light under the roof high enough not to blind me, low enough to light up where in going


I do have a wheel chuck on the passenger side (less chance of tripping over it) but as you guessed, I can't see that one
 
Try some of the marking paint I mentioned. It's what they use to mark the ground where people will be digging and need to know where utilities are buried. It sprays upside down. The paint is biodegradable and will wash away from a few rains. Spray it next to the drivers side tracks next time you pull the boat out....just to the house edge of the track, so you can use it as a guide when you back in upon return. Keep your trailer tire right by the paint and you should have an easier time.
 
Rope light?

Make a small narrow shallow trench.
Get a bunch of crushed glass or glass pebbles, (hobby lobby or Michaels)
Bury the rope light under the crushed glass in the trench.
Hook it to a motion sensor.

The airport will be landing by mistake
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-
Back
Top Bottom