Rear Identification Lamps, Anyone Using Them?

[mikeschn]

My new center rear ID lamp bar came via UPS today. It is Wesbar brand and comes with the lamps mounted on 6 inch centers on a stainless steel housing. Now I will soon be a legal beagle.

The light bar is to go where the license plate light/bracket is now and the license plate will be mounted about two inches lower. I'll add a pic of the completed installation.

Regards, Bill

That's a good idea. I may have to add one too!

Mike...

[bg]

I looked at some of our semi-trailers at work, and most of the newer trailers have the ID bar below the deck of the trailer (i.e. less than 1/3rd of the total trailer height).

[Senior Ninja]

I added two lights on the back of my HF TD trailer, just didn't think those lights on the side were enough.
Steve

[MacGyver]

I ran into the same dilemma last spring before heading out on our trip that covered 14 states. Measuring the width at its widest point, it measured out to just over 80 inches. I figured it was easier to meet all lighting requirements before heading out rather than getting into a technicality snag along the way. So I went back and added the 3 light identification light bar and lights on the front and rear of the fenders.
Here’s a nighttime picture that gives you an idea how it looks at night with the brakes applied. The red light below the top ID bar works as a third brake light.

[john]

This thread prompted me to get a marker light of three. I chose this....

[aggie79]

This thread prompted me to get a marker light of three. I chose this....

John, I like that light. Can you say who the manufacturer is?

[Taquin]

You guys need to check these ID bars out....ID, third brake, turn signal all in one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_RV-Trailer-Camper-Parts-Accessories__LED-combination-3-light-bar-center-brake-light-CLEAR_W0QQitemZ260342471158QQadiZ2876QQadnZRVQ2cQ20TrailerQ20Q26Q20CamperQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories?hash=item260342471158&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Plus the seller is top notch!!

[brian_bp]

You guys need to check these ID bars out....ID, third brake, turn signal all in one...

It's an interesting idea, but in turn signal mode it seems to me that it's a flashing red light almost in the middle of the trailer... from any significant distance, there would be no difference (at least in daylight and likely even at night) between the appearance of a left turn signal and that of a right turn signal.

[john]

I got it here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110333464827&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=



I wish I had seen the one from R&P. I bought my tail lights from them and would have liked the match.

[wlooper89]

The ID bars with a single plastic housing look very nice with the rounded corners. Since I got the other type already, with the three separate plastic lamp housings, I am
pretty much stuck with that. One possible advantage of the three separate housings may be that other motorists could see that it is a wide vehicle identification even in
daytime and not possibly confuse it with a third brake light. To each his own I always say and what looks good to the owner/builder is very important.

Just something to consider....

Bill

[aggie79]

Now the arse end is covered does anyone use an amber 3-light bar on the front of the tear?

(Thanks John for the ebay source.)

[wlooper89]

Good question! I do not plan to add the front ID lamps but did look up the Federal requirement. The short answer is the front and rear center ID lamps (amber, red)
are required on 80" wide trucks, etc., but on trailers only the rear ones are required. Turn signals are the same, on trailers only the rear ones required. Other lamps
not required on a trailer are backup lamp and of course headlamps.

The front and rear clearance lamps (amber, red) on 80" vehicles are required on trailers as well as trucks, etc. I believe having both the front and rear ones on the
fenders, facing forward and rearward, is good for a trailer if that is the widest point.

If anyone wants the long answer this is a link to the Federal regulation about vehicle lamps and reflective devices. Two tables pertaining to 80" wide vehicles
near the end are relatively easy to read. Tables I and II begin on Page 310 of the regulation or in this PDF version on page 72 of 75. Other tables pertain to more narrow
vehicles or motorcycles.
http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/wp29compendium/5-1.pdf
Sorry about this rather cumbersome link. It is included just in case someone wants to see the actual Federal regulation.

Bill

[aggie79]

Good question! I do not plan to add the front ID lamps but did look up the Federal requirement. The short answer is the front and rear center ID lamps (amber, red)
are required on 80" wide trucks, etc., but on trailers only the rear ones are required.Bill

Thanks Bill. I had previously taken a look at that federal requirement and it made my head spin. I originally was going to try and get by without the over 80" lighting, but I am now thinking about adding it.

I'm using some of Grant's modernistic fenders and I just have to resolve aesthetically where to put the fender clearance markers. I had intended on leaving the fenders "bare" for a clean look (with brake, turn, & running lights on the teardrop hatch) and certainly don't want them at the top of the fender. I am leaning toward the bottom of the fenders, but are not sure if that meets the "high as practical" requirement.

[Taquin]

You guys need to check these ID bars out....ID, third brake, turn signal all in one...

It's an interesting idea, but in turn signal mode it seems to me that it's a flashing red light almost in the middle of the trailer... from any significant distance, there would be no difference (at least in daylight and likely even at night) between the appearance of a left turn signal and that of a right turn signal.

I have these on all my trailers. I have it on a single wide PWC trailer, and double PWC trailer. You have to realize that the bar is 15" wide so it is easy to distinguish when the blinker portion is on.

[wlooper89]

aggie79,

I fully understand the dilemma about not wanting to spoil the clean lines of your fenders. Having the lamps lower on the front and back of the fenders should be fine as
Chevrolet and Ford did on their dually pickups. Please see photo on page one of the topic.

Also if the trailer is only a little over 80" I might consider omitting them entirely. I was thinking having one set of wide trailer lights might call for the other. But my friend
has a wide boat trailer with the three rear ID lamps and no clearance lamps on the fenders, the widest point. It seems the lamp rules for small/wide trailers are not very
much enforced in our area. My trailer is 90" at the wheels and really is wide. Sometimes a challenge to keep it within the lane on a narrow road. I have gotten used to it
but did at one time wish I had gotten a narrower model.

Bill