Reflective tape on tailgate for visibility ideas

[Jrplaw]

I’d do those only in the gap below the tailgate above the bumper. But I’d also do the smaller slash style. I’ve seen it before it’s like 2 inch wide blocks red and white ///\\\ and it’s only like an inch wide roll.

I put some white reflective tape in that same gap, but it doesn't really show much.

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[jewc75]

Reflective letters and add a flasher to the 3rd brake light. That's what i did.

 

[Jrplaw]

I don't mind having my truck look tacky if it means the chances of getting hit is reduced. Here's an article and an excerpt that talks about the advantages of reflective tape to reduce accidents...

https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/809222.html

CRASH REDUCTIONS BY LIGHTING CONDITIONS

• In dark conditions (combining the subsets of "dark-not-lighted," "dark-lighted," "dawn," and "dusk"), the tape reduces side and rear impacts into heavy trailers by 29 percent. The reduction is statistically significant (confidence bounds: 19 to 39 percent).
• However, the tape is by far the most effective in dark-not-lighted conditions. Here, the tape reduces side and rear impacts into heavy trailers by 41 percent. The reduction is statistically significant (confidence bounds: 31 to 51 percent).
• In dark-lighted, dawn, and dusk conditions, the tape did not significantly reduce crashes. The tape also did not significantly reduce crashes during daylight.

CRASH REDUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC SUBGROUPS IN DARK CONDITIONS

The effectiveness estimates here are the percentage reductions of various subgroups of the side and rear impacts into heavy trailers in dark conditions. As stated above, tape reduces these crash involvements by 29 percent, overall.

• The tape is especially effective in preventing the more severe crashes, specifically, injury crashes. Impacts resulting in fatal or nonfatal injuries to at least one driver are reduced by 44 percent.
• The tape is more effective when the driver of the impacting vehicle is young. The crash reduction is 44 percent when the driver of the impacting vehicle is 15 to 50 years old, but only 20 percent when that driver is more than 50 years old. A possible explanation of this difference is that older drivers are less able to see, recognize and/or react to the tape in time to avoid hitting the trailer.
• The tape may be somewhat more effective in preventing rear impacts (43 percent) than side impacts (17 percent) into trailers; however, this difference is not consistent in the two states.
• The tape is effective in both clear (28 percent) and rainy/foggy weather conditions (31 percent).
• The tape is especially effective on flatbed trailers (55 percent). These low-profile vehicles must have been especially difficult to see in the dark before they were treated with tape.
• Dirt on the tape significantly diminished its effectiveness in rear impacts. Clean tape reduces rear impacts by 53 percent but dirty tape by only 27 percent.

 

[TheWizziard]

I have a set of magnetic strips on order. I thought about the HF tape. It would work well on the bumper which is plastic. I like using magnets. I already have the US and Texas flags with magnetic backing. I like to be able to take them off when I wash the truck and move then around so you don't have a reverse fade spots when you want to remove or replace them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6FSJ5...UEOMXUB2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Jrplaw]

I have a set of magnetic strips on order. I thought about the HF tape. It would work well on the bumper which is plastic. I like using magnets. I already have the US and Texas flags with magnetic backing. I like to be able to take them off when I wash the truck and move then around so you don't have a reverse fade spots when you want to remove or replace them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6FSJ5...UEOMXUB2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

That's a really smart idea. I think this is what I'm going to do. Two on the tailgate and one on each side near the rear tires

 

[Jrplaw]

I have a set of magnetic strips on order. I thought about the HF tape. It would work well on the bumper which is plastic. I like using magnets. I already have the US and Texas flags with magnetic backing. I like to be able to take them off when I wash the truck and move then around so you don't have a reverse fade spots when you want to remove or replace them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6FSJ5...UEOMXUB2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I just bought two packs of the magnetic reflective tape. Do you think it's overkill to use the Harbor Freight tape on my bumper and trailer hitch step as well in addition to the magnet on the tailgate and wheelwell? I don't mind the ugliness. Thanks in advance

 

[Montana]

Then why post here? I really don't get it. So many people posting on this thread w/out actually helping the OP. Posting just to say you don't like reflective tape?

Learning curve, new to MTC. I used to post like that too. Then I realized, why am I posting an "opposite opinion" comment to this thread when it's not helpful?

Well, yes, but some is just sarcasm. I agree for the most part. There are a lot of people like that. I block them and funny enough... checking the ignored users recently: 6 of them have been banned. Whodathunkit...

Anyways, Not a fan of the reflective stuff, but I think if you are going to do it the MAVERICK lettering is a great option. It doesn't look tacky.

 

[Snowbird]

I kind of wish I had gotten the reflective letters. That is how I think you should handle it.

 

[SLH13]

Black reflective letters would be the simple and most effective answer to your question.

What brand are those?
What do they look like in daylight?

 

[Jrplaw]

I have a set of magnetic strips on order. I thought about the HF tape. It would work well on the bumper which is plastic. I like using magnets. I already have the US and Texas flags with magnetic backing. I like to be able to take them off when I wash the truck and move then around so you don't have a reverse fade spots when you want to remove or replace them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6FSJ5...UEOMXUB2&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I ended up ordering two packs of the magnetic strips (which I put on the tailgate, but may move two of them around) and put the reflective tape with the 3m glue on the corner of the bumper. It doesn't look too bad.

 

[todd92]

Nothing will help when the driver that hits you has their head buried in their phone.

 

[Jrplaw]

Nothing will help when the driver that hits you has their head buried in their phone.

I agree that reflective tape won't stop everyone, but did you see the post I did on this thread on January 25? There's a lot of benefits to having the reflective tape

 

[wax87]

I put some white reflective tape in that same gap, but it doesn't really show much.

Like this?

 

[NedF]

Not my thing but why not... reflective letters compatible with FORD MAVERICK logo tailgate insert flag | eBay

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