Relocate trailer tail/stop lights

jacks · Jan 12, 2017

I recently bought a Hudson 21' deckover trailer. It has a full width expanded metal loading ramp in back which stores in a vertical position. It has four stop/turn/tail lights in the back which the factory mounted on the back channel of the frame. This back frame channel is only about a foot off the ground. These lights are partially obscured by a large full width pivot pin that the ramp is mounted to. Bottom line is that the factory location for the tail lights is not very visible to traffic. I have noticed that drivers will follow so closely in traffic that they can't see the rear lights and will almost rear end the trailer when I stop for a stop light. I am thinking about relocating these lights up on the backside of the ramp, maybe four feet off the ground so that they are visible. The license plate mount is already there as installed at the factory. Has anyone else done this? If I can avoid an accident by having these lights visible, I feel that it is worth doing.

Crookedwrench · Jan 13, 2017

I had the same issue with my older trailer with the vertical folded ramps. I mounted trailer tail lights about 1/2 way up the ramps. Destroyed them when I loaded heavy tractor in soft ground without cribbing under trailer. Replaced with newer LEDs and act with more sense! Lights are on a 4 prong flat connector so that ramps may be removed and still use the factory lights. Trailer has made jaunts to Michigan, Nebraska, and Iowa from Ky with no lighting issues. Vertical ramps are covered with reflective tape. Leave your factory lights as is,just pigtail in the new ones. Get the ones that are designed for utility trailers so you will have a side clearance light too. E-mail if you need photos

jon f mn · Jan 14, 2017

That will work as long as the wiring to the lights included a ground as the hinges won't ground good enough. I would also leave the originals as a backup. I would also use the rubber mounted lights so if the do get hit they just pop out rather than break most times.

D beatty · Jan 20, 2017

I have a 24 Ft. low profile PJ deckover. The lights on this trailer are LED and very bright. I moved the licence plate up onto the ramp because spring of ramp was destroying the plate. I also put more reflective tape on back of ramps of trailer. If you hit the back of this trailer you have to be day dreaming.

Jason1Pa · Jan 20, 2017

Looks good but legally that licence plate needs a light on it though.

D beatty · Jan 20, 2017

It does have a light on plate . It is in behind the brace if ramp.

kcm.MN · Mar 13, 2017

D Beatty - nice tape job. My wife likes to add lots of reflective tape as well.

As for the lights, I would go with the idea CrookedWrench said 2 posts above yours and have aux. tail lights mounted on the underside of your outer ramps. Looks like the area just below the license plate would be perfect. Would make lights much more visible to traffic behind you as the tape tends to not give a very good indication of when you hit your brakes.

Relocate trailer tail/stop lights

jacks

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Crookedwrench

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jon f mn

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D beatty

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Jason1Pa

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D beatty

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kcm.MN

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