Trailer questions

[Ntfd522]

I recently bought my first boat and my trailer needs new lights I've been told I should buy LED lights because water gets in the housings of regular lights and blows the bulbs. Are LEDs worth the extra money on a boat trailer? Also I need new rollers for under my boat and on the sides of my trailer where is the best place to purchase those? Thanks NTFD 522

 

[batman99]

Re: Trailer questions

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YES. LED light assemblies, LED clearance lights and LED Light bar (if trailer / boat > 80") are well worth it. As a suggestion, use your current lighting system (assume they still work) and look for good LED lighting sales. During 4 months, I bought "on sale" new LED lights (re: LED Light assemblies - not the LED bulbs for the factory light assemblies) for my boat trailer. Thus, saved dollars as well. Long mumblings short, if the light assembly goes under water, replace with LED light assembly. Well worth it.

Forgot to mention... If your trailer / boat is > 80" and you also use a transom saver bar (like my trailer/boat combo), remember to install 2 x ID Bars. These ID Bars are LED as well. Thus, allowing the transom bar to mount in the centre beam. For example on my Boat Trailer: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Boat Pictures/IMG_0019.jpg

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Trailer questions

I bought LED lights at Walmart,, a bit more money, much brighter,,,as for rollers, search internet,,if you live in the northeast,, look at either Eastern Marine or Trailerpartsdepot.com Eastern Marine is in Delaware, and Depot in Mass. I will get products next day from both,, that's standard shipping via Fed Ex or UPS.. I have found both companies to be good....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailer questions

I guess if you ever need to replace your lights then I might spend money on led's. There isn't any reason that the conventional unseal incandescent shouldn't work just fine. I've burned out 3 bulbs and cracked one in 7 years.

Main thing with the unsealed variety is to make sure that if you have been driving around with your headlights on or standing on the brakes that you turn off your headlights and give them a moment to cool down before dunking them in the water. Many will say to disconnect the harness - makes no sense, especially for those with electrical brake lockouts.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Trailer questions

I have incandescent on my trailer and they have never caused me a problem. But, if i were replacing them for some reason I would probably
upgrade to the LED.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailer questions

I have incandescent on my trailer and they have never caused me a problem. But, if i were replacing them for some reason I would probably
upgrade to the LED.

I agree.

 

[Don Hansen]

Re: Trailer questions

Maybe my trailer has a vibration the incandescent bulbs don't like, because they were always going out. No, I was not popping them. I even had a globe fall out of the base more than once, causing a short that blew the fuse that supplied the converter. LED's took care of that problem.

DLH

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Trailer questions

Well, LEDs are the wave of the future and the future is here. We are already replacing CFL bulbs with more expensive LED bulbs in our houses. So, like others said: If you are replacing fixtures, why not go with LEDs? Or, if you have the money and simply want to be more green--again, why not? (LEDs draw way less current than incandescent bulbs and while you may not be able to notice it, there will be some slight fuel savings when running with lights on.)

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer questions

Cheap led trailer lights have a terrible failure rate.

Get good ones ($$) , or carry complete spares, as you can't change a bulb.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Trailer questions

I've replaced one incandescent bulb on my trailer since 2006.
My lights get submerged everytime and there not in waterproof housings.
All I do is unplug the lights everytime,before backing in.
I'm going to bring 4 bulbs with me tomorrow because I know there going to blow on the way to the lake and when I go to go back home.

That being said,I would replace with LED lights,if I had to.
Less draw and I think there more water resisitant.

 

[airshot]

Re: Trailer questions

Pootnic, like you I always unplug my lights before backing in, also each year I clean and put dielectric grease in the socket, only ocassionally do I have a bulb problem. However now that I said that, I will also be carrying extra bulbs with me.