Quality trailer lights

MattPark · 03-10-2008, 12:50 AM

I've been replacing lights every couple months now. It's just the tail/stop/turn lights. I've tried different brands. I've tried sealing them up. I've tried unplugging the lights before launching. Somethings got to give.

I haven't heard many rave reviews of LEDs. I just want something that lasts for more than a dozen launches. I don't care if it costs a bit more.

What do you guys use that works well?

fishingls · 03-10-2008, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPark

I haven't heard many rave reviews of LEDs.....................
What do you guys use that works well?

Go with LEDS, you will save yourself lots of head aches. If one LED goes in the array, you still have all the other LEDS. I went with LEDS on my trailer a few years ago. Never had to replace anything since.

s20055 · 03-10-2008, 04:30 AM

You have another problem if you're having to replace them every few launches. I'd identify that first. The only time I've had to replace a trailer light is when somebody caught it with their trailer and smashed it.

Flatfish · 03-10-2008, 08:20 AM

LEDs. Dunno which brand. You might have one or wo die before you find sealed units. But once ya do, they actually do work as advertised.

luckyr · 03-10-2008, 08:44 AM

These always worked great for me. You can get the brackets and every thing at Potter Webster. LED or buld. Even the bulbs work great and they are reasonable.

Road Rage · 03-10-2008, 09:46 AM

Optronics LED's. Lifetime warranty, you'll never pay for a replacement light again.

Orca · 03-10-2008, 10:52 AM

SeaSense LED's - 6 years no issues.

DirectDrive · 03-10-2008, 05:36 PM

I've got what luckyr posted.
They're also used on big rigs, industrial apps. etc.
Mine have been in trouble-free service since 1990 on my DB trailer.
They are conventionals, I would go with the LED version now.

Use marine-grade shrink tubing (adhesive-lined) and/or irrigation control wiring sealant to protect electrical connections.

MattPark · 03-10-2008, 05:56 PM

I use my boat more than a few times in a few months

More like a few times a week. My waverunner trailer takes out lights, and so does the ski boat. It doesn't matter what I tow 'em with. I think the bottom line is, poor quality lights just don't belong under water.

I'll go grab a pair of those LEDs at PW.

s20055 · 03-10-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPark

I use my boat more than a few times in a few months

More like a few times a week. My waverunner trailer takes out lights, and so does the ski boat. It doesn't matter what I tow 'em with. I think the bottom line is, poor quality lights just don't belong under water.

I'll go grab a pair of those LEDs at PW.

Maybe so, but I've just got cheapos on mine that are anything but sealed...never a problem.

DirectDrive · 03-10-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPark

I use my boat more than a few times in a few months

More like a few times a week. My waverunner trailer takes out lights, and so does the ski boat. It doesn't matter what I tow 'em with. I think the bottom line is, poor quality lights just don't belong under water.

I'll go grab a pair of those LEDs at PW.

Oh no, I didn't know I was helpin' a waverunner dude.
I meant, get the ones at Walmart...they're the best

1pump · 03-11-2008, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Optronics LED's. Lifetime warranty, you'll never pay for a replacement light again.

I've had these for 3 years, still working great, even after lots of salt water.

MattPark · 03-11-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirectDrive

Oh no, I didn't know I was helpin' a waverunner dude.
I meant, get the ones at Walmart...they're the best

They aren't ALL dangerous and inconsiderate, just most of them.

Blind Bobber · 03-11-2008, 08:33 PM

This winter I got a set of incondescent trailer lites from Cabela's that mount onto my 2 inch PVC tube guide on's. They are up out of the water along with the connections and seem well made. Should put an end to trailer lite maintenance. Check back with me in a few years. I also capped the guide tubes with marker lites from Overton's which were also made to fit onto the 2 inch PVC tube. No more launching or loading in the dark problems. I guess some folks really like the LED I just wanted something I could fix if burned out.
Best of luck. Wish I knew how to post pics. They look shark and are up and out of the wway.
BLIND BOBBER

flapbreaker · 04-02-2008, 02:52 PM

Get some LED lights but also I would take the time to run a ground wire from the wiring harness to each light instead of grounding each light to the frame. A lot of light problems come from poor grounds. You don't need a seperate run to each light just one run that connects to all ground leads. Good luck.

SPRINGERMAN · 04-02-2008, 05:16 PM

Just get a set of Magnetic base lites, and harness that never touch the water, look at tow truck set ups...You say they burn out even after being unpluged at launch then there is a over voltage problem to the filament of the bulb. What is the voltage from your tow rig at the plug??? Not much else will blow a blub unless it's a short creating an overvoltage. Are the filaments burnt in the bulb or it just doesn't work..ie: ground, or hot lead. I've built several sets of the out of water lights that sit on a board that crosses the transom solidered joint and heat shrink, grease in sockets for the a long life at the coast...Never had one come back...MY