English: The Tandem & Backup Lighting system developed by Larry Kiser and Joe Kiser and was designed to mount on the rear of the semi-trailer to give additional lighting in the surrounding areas of the back of the trailer. The Tandem & Backup lighting system was originally named the SLS, short for the Safety Lighting System in early 2010. The name was given to the kit because the owners did not know what to call the new product.

The owners then discovered later on that truck drivers were referring to the system as the tandem lights. During this time, the backup lights were not developed. After the first prototype was constructed costing $450.00, the kit was taken to D.O.T. to make sure that it was going to be legal, after the owners received consent. The prototype was then first installed on a semi-trailer owned by Steve Spears for testing. The kit consisted of two 8’ rails housing an LED light that mounted on the side of the trailer and two control boxes made from cast aluminum.

The control boxes housed a circuit that was connected to the existing wiring of the trailer allowing the system to work with any tractor connected to it. By simply having your head lights on and using the turn signals. The tandem lights would turn on and give a constant source of light.

It was three months later that Spear chooses to have his fleet out fitted with the new product. In 2011 Kiser Industries LLC was created to manufacturer the lighting system. In mid-2011, the owners chose to take on the additional projected requested by truck drivers to add a backup lights with the tandem lights. During this process, the circuit had been modified to add the additional ability and the kits were then changed from using two cast aluminum control boxes to one extruded aluminum control box. The new backup lights were 19” long and designed to accommodate most dry van or refer trailers.

In 2012, the company had discovered component failure in the control boxes. The circuits were not withstanding the constant jarring that happens with semi-trailers traveling down the interstate. To solve this problem, it was decided to use a liquid plastic to house the electronics to protect them better, not only from the jarring, but also the elements of the weather. During the changes of the control box, the kit was also given the new name as the Tandem & Backup Lighting System.