Whether you're a new owner or an experienced road warrior in the RV world, you know how important having different levels of lighting in, and around, your RV can be for you and your family. You need multiple levels of illumination for various reasons when you're out on the road. What comes from the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) are generally your required DOT (Department of Transportation) lights and then a few decorative and safety lights. Whether you've been out boondocking (camping away from civilization with no water and electrical hook-ups) or at one of the many campgrounds that dot the landscape of this country, you know a porch light and a few scare lights aren't enough.
The lighting around your rig isn't just about safety and illumination. There are many reasons to have your recreational vehicle lighting up the night. The aesthetics of your RV (how it looks to the world) to get the most enjoyment out of the RV life all can be affected by the lighting scheme you have on your vehicle. The LED RV Awning Party Light with Mounting Channel from RecPro serves all of these purposes. Let's take a closer look at why this seamless strip of lights is a fantastic addition to your rig's exterior:
Safety – This is top of the list when it comes to reasons for you to have extra lighting outside of your rig. How can lighting keep you safe? Here is a list of reasons why bright illumination, like awning lighting, can help you and yours stay secure while you're out there on the road:
Trip hazards – Whether you're boondocking or snuggly tucked away in your camping spot at the RV park, extra lighting can help to keep you from breaking out the first-aid kit, or worse, visiting the local emergency room. Even if you are familiar with the RV park you are staying at, nighttime has a way of obscuring trip hazards around your RV. From rocks, roots, and timbers sticking out of the ground to the cords and hoses running from your RV to the hook-ups, there is a multitude of things you can hook your foot on causing a fall. Extra lighting, especially a robust awning light kit from RecPro, can help you to avoid those trips and pitfalls.
Animal intrusion – You're out in the wilds; it is the nature of RVing. Whether you're in the Great Smoky Mountains where they warn you not to feed the bears, or in the Alaskan wilderness where gigantic moose reign free, mother nature has a way of coming to you. Sometimes it's curiosity. Most times it's because you're bringing delicious-smelling food to the campsite. Bright lights are proven animal deterrents at campgrounds. A scared animal is as likely to attack as it is to run if startled. If you don't have lighting on the exterior of your vehicle, and you step outside at night for any reason, a close animal could become a massive problem for you or a family member.
The human component – People can be just as problematic as animals. Sometimes they're worse. Bright lighting is an excellent way to help keep those ne're do wells away from your RV at night.
Security – While this may seem like it fits under the "Safety" category, it indeed is its own listing. Security has more to do with the human elements that you encounter while you're out on the road. While the occurrences may seem like they are fewer and further between than in locations where the populations have more density, the numbers are about the same when it comes to crime statistics. So, how does lighting affect crime? A major study in New York City conducted by the government and public safety offices found that crime was reduced by (on average) 39% when lights were left on at the residences in both heavy, and moderately criminally active areas*.
What does this tell you about lighting and RVs? It shows you that with a little precaution you can prevent possible problems in the future. While some may consider lighting a nuisance at the campsite at night, it is a proven prevention tactic for people that may be up to no good. Don't depend on the lighting at the campground to deter those that look to harm. Merely installing a scare light, porch light, and decorative awning lights can be a help keeping the evildoers at bay.
Lifestyle - Whether you like turning up the stereo outside and dancing the night away with your friends, or relaxing with a few drinks on your roll-out patio before you hit the rack, this awning light will fit well into the landscape of your RV lifestyle. You can light up the night with white or blue bright LEDs
Looks – Part of owning an RV is cultivating a certain look. It's important to many owners who put a lot of money into their rolling homes that they look nice. Not just to the owner, but to everyone that comes into contact with the RV. You can go as far as wrapping your RV in a new paint job and adding chrome to everything. But, if you add exceptional lighting to your rig, you can make an outstanding impression to everyone while you're camping. Our bright blue or white LED awning party lights are a perfect accent to your RV and every campsite you will visit.
These lights aren't just about looks, safety, and security. They are durable and ready to last on the road along with your RV. These channels and light strips are specifically designed for outdoor use and recreational vehicle applications. While some OEMs and (many) aftermarket retailers offer the IP65 crystal resin "waterproof" LED strip light, these have proven time and time again to be less than ideal when up against the elements. Considering the majority of your RV's life is spent on the road, this does not bode well for the standard strip lighting offered by the industry.
At RecPro we provide the IP68 Full Waterproof LED Lighting Channel. This heavier-duty version of the IP65 is what many of the OEMs have switched to for production. While it looks and performs much like the IP65, being encased in crystal resin, it is also surrounded by an additional silicone sleeve giving it twice the protection from the elements. It's attached to the unit inside of a compression fit UV treated polycarbonate channel. The compression fit is so solid that it eliminated the need for adhesive backing on the lighting strips, which has, in turn, reduced the cost of the strips to our customers. This also makes it easier for the customer if they need to adjust the lighting strip in the channel. It can be easily removed, and reinstalled, without any scraping, cleaning, and reapplication of adhesives. If you're concerned about the difficulty of installing this product, don't be. Here are some simple installation instructions to help you with your DIY project:
*Statistic does not include standard street lighting*