Landing strip LED lights on the trailer

[Zeus2013]

I considered tline but was concerned that the LEDs would not stick to the carpet well.

I am thinking more in the line of tacking a strip of PVC or other water proof material like marine grade plywood to the bottom outside edge of the bunk and apply the LEDs to that..

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Aluminum angle screwed to the bunks. Glue led strips to the angle.

 

[Bruce]

I would be interested to see a picture from the side, in the dark, with boat on trailer if you have one.

Here you go

 

[David D]

@Bruce , that's sweet. I hadn't thought about the glow effect off the boat. I can't wait to do this when I get back from vacation.

 

[Big Shasta]

Here you go

View attachment 24597

That looks awesome...I'd definitely leave those on all the time.

And kudos to anyone who regularly launches and recovers without Guide-ons. Any side wind would totally screw me without them.

 

[MOA_Chaser]

And kudos to anyone who regularly launches and recovers without Guide-ons. Any side wind would totally screw me without them.

When I had my old stern drive, one of the first things I did as a newbie was to add on some guide posts. When I bought the Yamaha, I wanted to get on the water so I went without. It wasn't a bad experience, and I never added them on. I boat in a river so I'm ALWAYS fighting a current, wind or not. The trick is, when there's wind or a current, to approach from the downstream/downwind side (I'm guessing at a 30° angle) and curve into the trailer bunks. And don't be afraid to use the throttle... the bunks and the bow stop will catch the boat unless you're coming in REALLY hot. If you try to just putt your way in, the current will screw you all up. I've had some approaches that I thought were questionable, but the throttle straightened things right out.

I have it down now so that I pull away from the dock (which is parallel to the river flow just downstream of the launch) about 50 feet, pivot in place using the superior jet handling our boats have, and pull directly onto the trailer on the first time about 90% of the time. Stern drives are jealous.

I couldn't even imagine how easy it would be to trailer the boat on a lake!

 

[farrelltravis]

I have never boated in a river, so I have never loaded in a current like that. Would love to test my skills at that someday!

 

[MOA_Chaser]

It can definitely get interesting. We have the Kinzua reservoir upstream from us so we get high water conditions at random even when we've not had rain for a while. Very limited boating season here lately, so we go out whenever we possibly can... even if it's high and swift. If we waited for good conditions we'd only get out a few times a year.

My < 10 year plan is to end up on the Gulf coast. It will be nice having the boat on a lift in the backyard, but I don't want to lose the skills of trailering in swift water!

 

[farrelltravis]

Cool deal. A lift in the backyard is every boaters' dream I believe. I know it is mine!

 

[bronze_10]

Ok.. I need help finding a switch from some Internet tech say jetboaters... I am going to do the led lights down the trailer like Bruce showed in this thread.. but I want to place a weather proof dimmer switch some where between the power source and the leds lights that will line the trailer... so I can dim them on the road or even turn them off but have them bright while under water... I am having trouble finding the switch that I want.. can anyone help with the search.....

 

[Bruce]

Ok.. I need help finding a switch from some Internet tech say jetboaters... I am going to do the led lights down the trailer like Bruce showed in this thread.. but I want to place a weather proof dimmer switch some where between the power source and the leds lights that will line the trailer... so I can dim them on the road or even turn them off but have them bright while under water... I am having trouble finding the switch that I want.. can anyone help with the search.....

You may need dimmable LEDs as well. The switch would simply be a variable resistor but you probably want a waterproof one.

 

[GTBRMC]

Ok.. I need help finding a switch from some Internet tech say jetboaters... I am going to do the led lights down the trailer like Bruce showed in this thread.. but I want to place a weather proof dimmer switch some where between the power source and the leds lights that will line the trailer... so I can dim them on the road or even turn them off but have them bright while under water... I am having trouble finding the switch that I want.. can anyone help with the search.....

Any thoughts, @KXCam22 ?

 

[David D]

I've not found a waterproof dinner. I'd be interested if anyone else finds one.

I use two of these for LED strips on the boat but have them located in the battery compartment. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JQ437YM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_sCjMvb54YT8YX

 

[njmr2fan]

Why has everyone suggested that I unplug my trailer lights before launching or retrieving? Am I missing how these lights get powered? Is this a dumb question?

 

[veedubtek]

If water gets into the taillight, if they are cracked or whatever, you could blow a fuse.

I never do, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

[tdonoughue]

With older trailers that do not have LEDs, you needed to unplug the lights before dunking them. Often the 'waterproof' fixtures would get some crack or leak and the water contacting the hot bulb would crack the bulb. LEDs don't get hot that way and are less likely to short because of how they are wired.

 

[njmr2fan]

Ok thanks. My 2014 trailer lights are bulbs not leds. Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[David D]

@njmr2fan, my 2015 trailer doesn't have LEDs either and I leave the lights connected with no issues so far. I guess when I crack the lens, I'll revisit that. My plan is to install the landing lights tapping into the power of the trailer side marker lamps.

 

[Bruce]

I never disconnect the lights before backing down the ramp. The brake will not disengage if you do so you have to use the lockout key.

 

[farrelltravis]

All of the LED light controllers that I have seen come with a dimmer on the remote. The two buttons on the top left are the buttons I am talking about.