DOT required lights?

[jride200]

Hi, I'm still in the process of planning my build, a Kit-like reproduction. Could anyone please tell me the MINIMUM required lights for DOT regulations? I think that the original Kits only had one brake light, above the license plate. What is the minimum required today for registration? Central brake light? Left and right "blinker" type lights? Side marker lights? What are the MINIMUM requirements and what is suggested by the wisdom of the forum? Thanks, Jason

[Nobody]

This link should tell ya all you need to know - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/standards/conspicuity/Trlrpstr.html

[bobhenry]

And if they dont see ya and run over ya how much did ya save ???

I put 4 side marker lights each side and a redundent set of tail lights.

I just installed a nose high 3rd break light.

Let them see ya !!! It's cheaper !!!

[Shadow Catcher]

I will go with Bob Henry on this, you want to be

One of the things I like about the MM is VERY bright LED tail lights including the center brake one. When cycling I wear the brightest loudest jersey I can because I want to be seen.

[Rock]

The requirements are: Stop, Tail, Turn, License Lamp, Rear Reflex, Rear Sidemarker (red), Rear Side Reflex (red), Front Sidemarker (amber), Front Side Reflex (amber.)

Stop is self explanatory (left and right required), Tail (sometimes referred to as running or "park" lamps) are on when your headlamp switch is in the first position, Turn self explanatory (blinking), Side marker lights come on with the Tail function, reflex are so your trailer can be seen when the lights are off (like a bicycle reflector.)

A perfect example of all this stuff is the wiring kit that comes with the Harbor Freight or Red Trailer kits.

Guys like to add all kinds of other stuff but I can't speak to the legality of adding a 3rd brake light or additional sidemarkers to our type of trailers. I doubt anyone would ever get a ticket or get stopped for this, I'm just saying it might not be technically legal.

There are an incredible # of other requirements in detail regarding height, angle, brightness, frequency of the blinkers, minimum candela for the reflex function, etc. It's best to stay close as you can to a commercially produced set of lighting. You wouldn't want it any other way while standing in a court room.

Eric

[jride200]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm not trying to save money here, not by any means... I asked about the minimum required but I also made sure to ask what the wisdom of the forum recommended.

I'm planning a build that includes a full welded chassis (i.e., not a harbor freight frame). I'm also wanting to order the repro. style lights from lil' bear or the like. With this in mind, is there a commercially available wiring harness I could pick up for all of my lighting requirements? Maybe at HF? Will lil' bear or other similar vendors be familiar with trailer lighting requirements?

Thanks.

[Corwin C]

If you're trying to get a "look" that doesn't emphasize the lights, there are quite a few led fixtures with colorless lenses that would make you legal, show up well at night, and not be all that noticeable in the daylight. I'm considering some of these, mounted to the frame down low so they don't distract from the wood.

As far as doing a wiring job ... it's really not that difficult. There are many examples and discussions on this forum. Simple trailer lights only require 4 wires and complete kits can be bought from the local auto parts if you need an example to start from. It's good practice for wiring the rest of your trailer.

I definitely agree though, it's absolutely critical to be seen.

[jride200]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm not trying to save money here, not by any means... I asked about the minimum required but I also made sure to ask what the wisdom of the forum recommended.

I'm planning a build that includes a full welded chassis (i.e., not a harbor freight frame). I'm also wanting to order the repro. style lights from lil' bear or the like. With this in mind, is there a commercially available wiring harness I could pick up for all of my lighting requirements? Maybe at HF? Will lil' bear or other similar vendors be familiar with trailer lighting requirements?

Thanks.

[Trackstriper]

Only thing I can add is that the key is to get the lights up off the ground. Many of the Harbor Freight type trailers have the lighting maybe 15-18" above the deck...that's not in the normal line of sight of drivers behind you. Folks just aren't going to see the lights, even though they may be legal.

[bobhenry]

In my original build with chubby I placed hi output LED tails inside under the lexan.



While it looked clean and neat and was very visable in the dark I was not happy with day light visability so I added these surface mount units.



I left the LED lights in place so at night I have 12 lights 4 clearance each side and 2 complete sets of tails . The license plate light makes 13 (good thing I am not supersticious)

[Rock]

Corwin,

There's no way the transparent rear lamps are legal for reflex. It absolutley has to be red. So to be legal with these you'll have to have separate red reflectors mounted. I struggled with this as well while upgrading my HF lights. I found a set of tail tail lamps that look decent and are legal for all functions.

Eric

[Corwin C]

Corwin,

There's no way the transparent rear lamps are legal for reflex. It absolutley has to be red. So to be legal with these you'll have to have separate red reflectors mounted. I struggled with this as well while upgrading my HF lights. I found a set of tail tail lamps that look decent and are legal for all functions.

Eric

You are correct, they don't reflect. The reflex requirement doesn't have to be part of the light, in fact, don't assume that a DOT approved light has reflex capability, many do not. However, I will be meeting the reflex requirement by embedding reflective tape (in the proper surface area and color requirements) in the edge trim and other strategic locations. If it works like I'm hoping, I'll light up brilliantly at night, but it won't be all that noticeable in daylight.

Another quick comment ... with all the cool colored led lights out there, don't be tempted to use non-standard colors while on the highway. In the campground, anything goes, but on the highway you could get into trouble if you don't follow the proper standard.

[aggie79]

I don't think this applies, but if your trailer is over 80" wide, then there are additional lighting requirements.

My teardrop is 82" wide - 60" trailer width plus two 11" fenders - so I'll need to add the extra lighting.