Trailer lights suck

[desertoy]

I don't think I have ever had a trailer that came with good quality lights. So here's what I decided to do with my buddy's trailer to upgrade the lights.

First, here's the stock rear lights. They suck!

[desertoy]

First, I cut out some templates out of construction paper.

[desertoy]

Then I cut the templates out and bent them into light boxes.

[desertoy]

I decided to use sealed beam lights, so I went to the local truck supply store and bought everything I needed for about $60.

[desertoy]

Welded on the buckets.

[desertoy]

Here's the front.

[desertoy]

So for about $80 in parts and materials and a half days labor my buddy's light problems are over. 10 years from now these lights will still be in good shape.

[yoda0395]

If those crappy lights had a big hole in the middle of them they could be mine :)
Nice mounts.

[Infernal Jeep]

Nice.I had that problem with my old trailer.My new one has almost the same thing as what you built.

[pcorssmit]

I had the same crappy setup. I took a different approach, and cut out the back rail for the oval lights. One of these days I will get around to adding the side markers, and the rear-fender markers. I also got some oval flush mount reverse lights to add.

Another common problem on flat bed seems to be the license mount. I finally gave up on my crappy stock one when my brother walked 1/4 mile down the side of I-70 to find my plate, while I changed out the tire that had lost its tread (thus destroying the plate mount). For lack of a better plan, I bolted it vertically to the passenger side fender. I really wish you could get a motorcycle-size plate for a trailer.

Pete

[dubbyx]

The first trip out on my trailer I drug the lights off. They were setup almost exactly like that 1st pic as well. On to setup #2, moved them higher by just flipping the bracket where they pointed up. Figured some day I'd have problems loading a car with too wide of a track as they stuck up above the deck. Didn't have a chance as a buddy of mine was trying to "show off" his POS street truck and broke one side off with his air dam. Setup #3 has worked so far with the exception of blowing bulbs. Too much vibration. They're set up forward of the dovetail at the same height as the flatbed but hang down. Still not enough room to mount the license plate on the standard holder so it's been on the fender since the day I got it.

[TheTonka]

Very nice. I had the same lights on my old car hauler. I updgraded to the same lights you did but I did it differently since my trailer was extra wide I couldn't have them sticking out so far. With the new trailer I compared the standard sealed beam lights to LED lights and had no problem paying the extra. The LED lights are SOOOOOOOOOO much better. Just something to think about.

[Pedro Zuk]

Thanks John I like it. The lite buckets will out last trailer that's for sure.

[thump93yj]

Very nice.:smokin:

[reklund5]

I second the comment on motorcycle sized license plates for trailers! Mine's been bolted to the fender vertically since I got it as well. As for my lights, they're all flush mounted in the rails of the trailer, but they're just regular incandescent bulbs. I'm going to upgrade to LED's someday...

GREAT JOB on the light buckets- they look good and will outlast the trailer for sure :beer:

Ryan

[nxcj]

I second the comment on motorcycle sized license plates for trailers!


Guess we're lucky here in Iowa; when you register, they ask you if you want the motorcycle size or full size plate.

Nice boxes, by the way!

[64Trvlr]

The LED lights are SOOOOOOOOOO much better. Just something to think about.

I replaced the lights on my trailer with LED's and added a few more the week after I picked it up. I've pulled it over 50K now with no lighting problems.

[eradan]

Nice lights !

I did the same thing w/ a piece of 2x6 square tubing. Drive over them and they work great.

[GRMhick]

I did something similar in my last trailer. Except I recessed them so the people who borrowed my trailer didnt break the lights when they backed into stuff.

[k5chevyblazer]

Nice work, mine have always been safe
http://beer.thisdysfunctional.org/TDOGallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3022&g2_serialNumber=2

[Danger Ranger]

what a fag... i figured a tin bender doing some custom tail lights would have atleast been a skull and cross bones silohette... what a disappointment :flipoff2:

[Mustard Dog]

what a fag... i figured a tin bender doing some custom tail lights would have atleast been a skull and cross bones silohette... what a disappointment :flipoff2:


:laughing: :laughing: