Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Does anyone know if there are size requirements for the side marker lights on trailers? I have some really cool Glass lenses that mount on industrial watertight indicating lights. The lights are about 1" in diameter and about 5/8" high. I can install either LED bulbs behind clear lenses or use incandescent bulbs behind colored lenses.

I live in Indiana and I'll check with my local DMV, but I thought I would post the question here too.

Here's a link to what the indicator looks like with a red lense. They are small, but bright:
http://web6.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pushbuttons_-z-_Switches_-z-_Indicators/Eaton_Cutler-Hammer_30mm_(HT800_Series)/Indicators_(Regular_-a-_Push-to-Test)/HT8HFRV3

I would probably buy a side marker light that was available at the auto parts store... and was actually labeled as a side marker light.
For example, many of these lights would work...
http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/clearan ... ights.html

The little light that you showed us in that link above, looks way too small.

Mike...

Mike

They are pretty small, but they are somewhat styled. Street rods have very small, bright turn lights and brake lights in many cases. I'm curious what the requirements are. Is it surface area based or simply a visibilty from a given distance? The visibility from a given distance is very easy to meet with high ouput LEDs or bulbs.

I noticed some really cool side markers on a tractor trailer than was really customized. They were pretty small ovals, about 2" long by 1" high with a glass-look lense and chrome surround. Might have to run a search for tractor trailer accessory lights on the web.

Found an interesting link:
http://www.truck-lite.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenericView?pageName=/new/PressReleases_en_US/PressRelease17-MiniMarker.html&storeId=10001&langId=-1

Not sure how it applies to TDs, but I think it opens the door a bit for my quest for small marker lights!

I honestly don't think there is a requirement for the size... I don't even think anyone has visibility spec'd out...

When you go to the state/local police to have your trailer inspected they are going to give it a quick glance, and notice that you have sidelights, and move along to the next thing...

The key here is visibility... I think if you are reasonably visible from the side at night, then you're cool!

So pick your favorite side markers and go for it...

Mike...

I think that visibility is more important. In Florida on trucks it is a question of visibility in hundreds of feet I believe, size doesn't matter(when talking about lights) I will have to pull out the book and look.

Woody

Most all the clearance lights on the market are DOT approved but I have seen some installed backwards. Amber in the front and Red at the rear is correct.

Denny

Lights on trailers are a Federal requirement and the requirements can be obtained from the following link:

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/standards/ ... lrpstr.htm

However, I don't remember any requirement on size.

Dan

Thanks for the link Dan. I don't see a reference to size as you said, but they do reference the DOT approval that Denny mentioned. So, my cool lenses won't be acceptable for the side marker lights. I have found a few other styled lights and small bullet indicators. I think Painless has some side indicators as well.

I do have enough of them with red lenses to use in the galley area for low-level night lighting.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/sta ... nspicuity/

The link two postings up wasn't working...

Mike...