Landing strip LED lights on the trailer

[Bruce]

We often boat until after dark and recover the boat at dark ramps.

We added waterproof LED strip lighting to the frame rails of the trailer so that alignment of the trailer would be visible through the water. They work great and improve visibility on the highway as well.

Although I am curious how our LE members feel about the extra lights on the trailer. I believe this is legal. If not I will add switches to turn them on at the ramp.

Total cost was $27 and about 30 minutes. The supplies consisted of two of these LED Strips, 12 x 18" outdoor wire ties, less than 10' of 16 gauge dual conductor wire and solder and shrink tube that I already had on hand.

@Rana applied the light strips to frame rails starting at the back. I pulled out the front running lights and soldered and shrink tubed 16 gauge wire to the factory wiring. Then I soldered and shrink tubed my 16 gauge wires to the LED strips. And finally we put 6 wire ties around each LED strip and wire. We did the same on both sides.

 

[Speedling]

Ha! Looks cool!
I would think they would be considered running lights. I don't know the laws as well as some though

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Looks great!

I'm not a LEO but I think the color of light is key. You are allowed red and amber lights but not white. White is designated to tags, reverse and headlights.

 

[DonWon]

I have been thinking of doing the same thing. It looks great and it's going to be well served. Nice job @Bruce!

 

[upperdeck]

White and Amber only, visible from the front. Only red visible to the rear. Clearance lamps are allowed to be Amber, visible to the side.

 

[Bruce]

White and Amber only, visible from the front. Only red visible to the rear. Clearance lamps are allowed to be Amber, visible to the side.

So would you pull me over for having Amber clearance lights running 15' of the length of the trailer?

 

[upperdeck]

Amber would be legal. And no I wouldn't pull you over, but some uptight state trooper sure would.

 

[chess]

Bruce:

This looks awesome man ! Well done

 

[justason]

White and Amber only, visible from the front. Only red visible to the rear. Clearance lamps are allowed to be Amber, visible to the side.

Would these lights in red be legal?

We often boat until after dark and recover the boat at dark ramps.

We added waterproof LED strip lighting to the frame rails of the trailer so that alignment of the trailer would be visible through the water. They work great and improve visibility on the highway as well.

Although I am curious how our LE members feel about the extra lights on the trailer. I believe this is legal. If not I will add switches to turn them on at the ramp.

Total cost was $27 and about 30 minutes. The supplies consisted of two of these LED Strips, 12 x 18" outdoor wire ties, less than 10' of 16 gauge dual conductor wire and solder and shrink tube that I already had on hand.

@Rana applied the light strips to frame rails starting at the back. I pulled out the front running lights and soldered and shrink tubed 16 gauge wire to the factory wiring. Then I soldered and shrink tubed my 16 gauge wires to the LED strips. And finally we put 6 wire ties around each LED strip and wire. We did the same on both sides.

View attachment 23951 View attachment 23952 View attachment 23953

Zip ties? These are not adhesive backed ?

 

[Bruce]

Zip ties? These are not adhesive backed ?

They are adhesive backed but my experience is that most things stick poorly to galvanization. My hope is that the zip ties will help keep them in place. If I loose them they are cheap to replace.

As for color, I believe that Amber is the color that is least likely to attract LE attention. Red needs to be on the back. I am not trying to hide anything so if I do get pulled over I will cut the ground wire to satisfy the officer then add a switch.

 

[upperdeck]

Red would be illegal since they would be visible from the front and sides. The question is would it be enforced.

 

[upperdeck]

I do think they look awesome!

 

[Bruce]

I do think they look awesome!

I appreciate your opinion on the legality and wanted an honest answer.

I believe that they add safety (visibility) on the road similar to reflective strips. And they are the same Amber color as the factory lights so I hope I will be ok.

 

[David Hoff]

Brilliant idea! Perhaps, you could just wire it into the reverse light power (ie on my trailer, it's the blue pigtail that disengages the brake solenoid) ?

 

[Bruce]

Certainly could wire it into the reverse lights but then it would only be on when in reverse. I want them on when sitting still on the ramp and I believe they add to safety on the highway.

 

[KXCam22]

Thats great. I have been planning to do a red strip down the middle connected to my backup flood lite switch. Right now I put on my flood lights under water for dark water loading. The LED are much nicer. Cam.

 

[Zeus2013]

Looks way cool..yet another upgrade...

 

[Boat Crazy]

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

 

[Bruce]

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

Unfortunately I did not get one. Hopefully next weekend.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Are the LED lights white or Amber? Hard to tell from what I see.