Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just bought a pair of LED oval brake lights, and can't figure the proper way of installing them. They come with a rubber boot, but when I cut a hole for them, it just doesn't seem to fit right. The guys that have them, do you mount them in 1/8 or 1/4" plywood? and exactly how big do you make the hole? If I size it to the light, I can't fit the light into the rubber, and if I make it a little bigger, there is too much of a gap around it, so it is sure to leak into the hatch. Also, once I have it in , I can move the light up and down about a 1/4", so it doesn't seem secure. I must be missing something here.... because it sure as heck isn't rocket science!!

Hey Johm thems the same lights that I used on my trailer. I assume you already bought the lights. So, you can call the store that you got them and get the hole size, I forget right off what they are, or they make a bracket for mounting those lights. Either by the brackets to mount the lights or by one bracket ands use it for a template, then return the bracket because you wont need it anymore.

Here you go, try this link: http://www.grote.com/product.php?product_number=43362

MIke

John, for those lights to fit, you need a "shoehorn" tight fit...If you have an exact tracing of the light profile and you transfered and cut on the outside of the line with your jig saw, it should be about right...the gaskets are probably for 1/4" material and you may have to dampen the gasket and light to get the light into the gasket...having dealt with them for years in the trucking industy, they can be a bear to get into the hole...I would suggest a thin bead of windshield sealant added to the gasket, both on the body and the light side to guarantee watertightness......as always on such things...YMMV
madjack

madjack wrote:John, for those lights to fit, you need a "shoehorn" tight fit...If you have an exact tracing of the light profile and you transfered and cut on the outside of the line with your jig saw, it should be about right...the gaskets are probably for 1/4" material and you may have to dampen the gasket and light to get the light into the gasket...having dealt with them for years in the trucking industy, they can be a bear to get into the hole...I would suggest a thin bead of windshield sealant added to the gasket, both on the body and the light side to guarantee watertightness......as always on such things...YMMV
madjack

I'm really lousy with acronyms....YMMV????

dahoon wrote:Hey Johm thems the same lights that I used on my trailer. I assume you already bought the lights. So, you can call the store that you got them and get the hole size, I forget right off what they are, or they make a bracket for mounting those lights. Either by the brackets to mount the lights or by one bracket ands use it for a template, then return the bracket because you wont need it anymore.

Here you go, try this link:http://www.grote.com/product.php?product_number=43362[/url]

MIke

Mike.. thanks for the link... I found the hole size i need... I'll try it tomorrow...

I think as an extra caution I'm going to return the gaskets i got and get the closed gaskets. That way, if it does leak into the lights, it won't leak into the hatch...

If they are the same shape as mine,The ones I bought at Napa, I cut the hole about 1/4" larger all the way around the plastic lens itself. I installed mine in a curved piece of 1/4" ply and they fit perfect.The guy a Napa let me trace the hole out of one of the mounting brackets. I did cut a few test holes in some scrap first to make sure. after I mounted the aluminum I used my router with a trim bit to cut the hole out of the aluminum.
Aaron

Micro469 wrote:

dahoon wrote:Hey Johm thems the same lights that I used on my trailer. I assume you already bought the lights. So, you can call the store that you got them and get the hole size, I forget right off what they are, or they make a bracket for mounting those lights. Either by the brackets to mount the lights or by one bracket ands use it for a template, then return the bracket because you wont need it anymore.

Here you go, try this link:http://www.grote.com/product.php?product_number=43362[/url]

MIke

Mike.. thanks for the link... I found the hole size i need... I'll try it tomorrow...

John... I use "dishwashing soap" as a lubricant for rubber gaskets like that. Won't hurt it and washes off easily. Also, sometimes with window rubber and others that fit tight... wrapping a piece of heavy string or cord in the groove, then using it to pull the rubber edge in from the other side works well. THis is kinda hard to describe... but it works.

Your Mileage May Vary...YMMV................................