Boat trailer lights

[Buccaneer]

The old Gator trailer tail lights are toast, so will have to replace them.
Notice a lot of them for sale now are LED. Also learned that there’s
"water proof" and submersible tail lights……. I always thought they
were "one and the same". Not according to one EBayer selling them.
He claims submersible lights let the water in, and allow it to drain
back out, but then goes on to say you should but liquid tape around
the wires where it goes into the light to keep the water out!!
I’ve had several boat trailers over the years and never thought
much about it, but never had much problem with the lights either.
Of course none of the plastic crap they sell now days is going to
match the charm of the metal bucket lights that were on the
vintage Gator…… they are NOT waterproof for sure!!
Any thoughts on boat trailer lights??
Are the LED’s any worse or better in being submersed?
Thanks.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Mumbles]

Submersibles are just that, but not necessarily waterproof. Some are wide open on the bottom and rely on air pressure inside to keep the water away from the bulb. It works on paper but not very well in the real world. It seems the bulbs always have to be greased or replaced often. The best thing to do is spend the bucks and go with the proper LED trailer lights. I just finished putting a set on my tin boats trailer as the ones I installed on the salt water trailer are still working fine after ten+ years of regular immersion. The LED’s and their circuitry are encased in epoxy or something so they should last for a long, long time.

Any chance of installing LED’s in the original Gator housings?

[Buccaneer]

Mumbles, you gave me something to ponder. One of the lenses is cracked
and not sure I’d ever find a replacement. I have no idea what an
LED tail light apparatus looks like, nor if it would fit in my old buckets.
Going to the big town soon, so will see what’s available there as far
as LED, etc. Thanks!

Prepare to be boarded!

[adam1961]

We have about 20 trailers at work and have been slowly converting them to LED as they last longest with least headaches.
That being said, I like vintage looking lights on my boat trailers. Grote still makes a light with a metal housing. I use those ( they make a plastic version too) and just put lots of dialectic grease on the lamp bases. I do unplug the trailer before dunking it. This helps avoid shorts and keeps hot bulbs from hitting cold water.
Adam

[burt]

Good input so far. I’ve also seen removable lights (LED and regular) where the electical connections are plugs further up the wiring harness…pull up, set the boat to launch, unplug the connectors, unscrew a wingnut on each light and remove them before launching. Extra time and effort, but the owner liked them. Also seen a portable light bar that mounted either across the top of the transom or the trailer itself…same deal, set to launch, unplug, remove bar and toss it in the truck until you leave. Some states don’t allow removable lights/bars, however, check your local regulations.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks Adam, I’ll check out Grote.
Burt, good advice about shorts. When I bought the Gator trailer (with a boat),
I hesitated plugging in the trailer lights as the wiring was shot. Thought
I’d make it look good to get home the 50 miles. Plugged the lights in,
went about a mile and decided to check everything out before I got on the
four lane. All looked well, so got back in the car, and could not get it out
of Park! Ended up unhooking the transmission shift cable so I could shift
the tranny into drive. Found out after I got home and looked on the net,
that if the brake light fuse blows, a safety relay locks the shift lever in "park".
Live and learn.

Prepare to be boarded!

[Casey Lynn]

Try these guys….if they don’t have something that will work nobody will. You may have to look at dimensions but one way or another you should find something that can be made to work. I have used them a couple times and they are super to deal with.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/search/ … %20lights/

[jerry-ahrens]

The LED lights seem to be the way to go. Much brighter and longer life. Myself, I always liked like the Wesbar brand ”capsule” style trailer lights. They are more of a rectangular shape. When you remove the lens, inside the housing you will find the bulb sealed in a waterproof plastic capsule. The capsule gets replaced should a bulb burn out. http://www.wesbar.com

[crosbyman]

my 2 cents….
Currently have LEDs on my trailer. After 10 years (fresh water use only) I have some individual LEDs konked out but still I still benefit from the rest of the individual LEDs still working within the assemblies. So in essence, they are much better/safer than a single burnt filament bulbs . Downside…. they can not be fixed !

My initial Kia Sorento installation with CURT trailer modules drove me crazy . A few milliamps of leakage caused all LED’S to stay ON even with the car ignition OFF . 4 modules were changed and I complained to KIA who then installed a KIA OEM adapter and I never had any issues after.

With more and more individual LEDs dying out and old style trailer kits being liquidated around here at $10 a set (perfect match to my trailer)
I’ll probably go back to bulbs and carry a spare. Greased bulbs and unplugging before backing the boat in the water should last till I burnt out 😆

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[Buccaneer]

Thanks guys, so many options…… worse than shopping
for new underwear……. size, color, boxers, briefs,
action hero, ……. , etc.

Prepare to be boarded!

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