Thor Axis 24.1 headlights

[Packard]

We have a 2021 Thor Axis 24.1. We have spend so much time adjusting the lights for better results at night. We just can’t seem to improve the situation. Has anyone experienced this and come up with a solution.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Try to arrive at your campsite before sunset.

But seriously... those headlights are not "Ford factory" headlights, and are most likely underpowered and poorly aimed. Short of doing some serious research into quality headlights ("brighter" is not always better), there's not much you can do other than properly aiming them.

Don't take for granted that aftermarket LED headlights - just because they're bright - are going to solve your problem. The DESIGN of the lens and throw/spread of the beam is what's important. You want to throw LOTS of light WAY down the road in front of you. Many LED systems with poorly designed reflectors/lenses only light up the road directly in front... not far enough ahead to give you time to react in a large heavy vehicle like a motorhome.

Check out Xenon (HID) systems with focused lenses AND better designed LED lights. There's a LOT of info out there... just do a LOT of reading/research from many different sources BEFORE investing in quality headlights.

[happy]

Bad headlights are my pet peeve. Even headlights that meet Federal standards can be poor. Many headlight systems are minimal and not fun to use.

There is a poorly done yet still informative video on the net that shows a Vegas being fitted with a Harley Davidson led headlight. That is a ok starting point to begin thinking about what could be done.

The factory Axis headlight is a round unit held in place by a round ring by screws. Easy to takeout. 5 3/4 inch replacements are around and many are very good. I am going to try and replace my factory light with a JW Speaker 5 3/4 100% legal and good low/high beam headlight. They make a model for motorcycle that narrows more toward the rear than the car/truck model does and may fit better without any modification. It would still be a wonderful improvement over factory.

If you come up with some possible solution, please post.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by happy

I am going to try and replace my factory light with a JW Speaker 5 3/4 100% legal and good low/high beam headlight.

I had the 7" JW Speaker headlights in my Jeep. Amazing headlight. Pricey though.

[happy]

They do cost,$$$ but they do work.
I have one of their street legal low beams on a vehicle with terrible lights.
They let me drive at night with confidence. Very nice.

[mcr1010]

Re-aiming my lights are on my do list. I had a mech. at a garage aim them, before the last trip and now are worse than ever. I'll get out in the parking lot some night and start messing with them again.
I did install some led's in the low beams. Not sure if that is a problem now or not. Hope to see this thread continue until someone finds a good setup.

[ducksface]

Any Harley forum.
Use the headlight(s)
They recommend.
Their bunch is pretty much obsessed with headlights.

Otherwise
Hella motorcycle lights with 130w h4.
Perfect. Dead flat Cutoff line with a 30 degree triangle to the right.

Try a lightbar.
I love mine
213, 216, 480
On the thread in my signature.

[sportcoupe]

Jeep forums recommend JW Speaker. Jeep owners are obsessed with lighting.

[gnach]

Originally Posted by ducksface

...snip...
Otherwise
Hella motorcycle lights with 130w h4.
Perfect. Dead flat Cutoff line with a 30 degree triangle to the right.
...

Bill, did you change your headlamps to Hella?

What's that right side angle add to the left lamp's projection. Their catalogue doesn't show any design images as in the past. Did they used to sell left and right lamps together? The are sealed beam replacements and not DOT approved but that's not an issue.

[ducksface]

They are both bike lamps.
The triangle adds much to the center of your view while not adding anything to oncoming traffic.
I do not have them in the RV.
They have been in every quad headlight vehicle I've owned since maybe 1979.
Lancia, Peugeot, Chrysler(those were square 4 lamps) and some cars I don't remember.

The horrible headlights in the rv are supplemented by my light bar so I haven't bothered to change the thor housings. I have added highest lumen led bulbs that were available at the time.
The housings are still just a spray of random light beams with the led bulbs but the light bar fills it all...perfectly.
The bar has made the housing change be backburnered.

I will eventually change to the hellas when I get off my sizable butt and search the storage shed for them. There are four of them here somewhere in the corvette pile.
(I also have 1950's/60's chrome wire mesh headlight rock guards I might put on the Thor just so they get out of the parts bin)

I suggest a light bar as far far superior to headlights.
Those hellas are the best headlight I've ever come across.