One trailer light Thread. **Trailer Light Clarification** - The Hull Truth

offshore3144 · 08-28-2008, 12:04 PM

Lets try to just keep one thread on the trailer lights so we can find the information. If you have a source for lights or Ideas lets post them here so we dont have to dig around looking. Below is the clarification I received from Rep. Williams office a few minutes ago....Mark

Representative Williams appreciated your support and the support he received from all those in the boating and tourism industry. Below is the answer to your question that I received from our legal staff:

There should be two amber lights on each, the boat and the trailer, at the widest points. These points would be only for a boat trailer over 102 inches. So, if the trailer is 102 inches or less, only two lights are needed for the widest points on the boat, if the boat exceeds 102 inches. If the boat and trailer are greater than 102 inches, you will need to have operable lamps on both.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

JB2C · 08-28-2008, 12:14 PM

Just in case there's any question from any enforcement about this, this is per the legislative bill drafting division. The guy who actually wrote the bill.

JB

HeadHunt · 08-28-2008, 12:18 PM

Well, I'll just extend my guideposts. What a turn of events. A month ago alot of guys were taking them off to trim some inches.

Alan

Squid Row · 08-28-2008, 12:25 PM

My trailer is 102 inches on the button, so I think I am OK with the two side lights that came on it from the factory.

My guide posts are not the widest part, the fenders are.

Guess I could install an additional set on the fenders easy enough.

BTW folks, you can pick up simple amber trailer lights at wally world for under $4 a piece

JB2C · 08-28-2008, 12:25 PM

Alan, is your boat also over 102" wide? It's not the widest point of the load, but how wide the trailer is and how wide the boat is. Seperately.

JB

HeadHunt · 08-28-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

HeadHunt - 8/28/2008 2:18 PM

Well, I'll just extend my guideposts. What a turn of events. A month ago alot of guys were taking them off to trim some inches.

Alan

Can't you read...idiot. You need four lights. Damn hillbilly's.

Overcurrent · 08-28-2008, 12:40 PM

Just conferred with offshore3144 by phone and he asked me to make the following post regarding lights and quantities

Boat over 102" wide and trailer (guides) over 102" wide

One light each side on the widest part of the boat and on the widest part of the trailer - four lights total

Boat over 102" wide and trailer 102" or less

One light each side on the widest part of the boat only - two lights total

Boat 102" wide or less but trailer (guides) over 102" wide

Onelight each side on the widest part of the trailer only - two lights total.

Overcurrent · 08-28-2008, 01:00 PM

offshore3144 also asked me to move this post to this thread. Now I know I only need one light per side (boat is SLIGHTLY over 102" but trailer is only 101&quot

. This is the light that I chose to use for my "harness"

Severalvendors sell this same light under either the Optronics or Maxxima brand name.They have 14 LEDs in each light, I think.
Optronics model number is MCL49AB
They are DOT approved and PC rated (meaning they meet DOT standards for a 180 degree arc). I'll figure out some sort of mount where they'll be at the widest point of the boat. These are roughly 4" long and 2" tall. It is marked as "sealed" but I do not know if they are submersible.

Disclaimer: Nothingin H2167/SL2008-229 requiresa PCratedlight. However, I would suspect that whatever light is used must be DOT approved (so much for my plan to use an amber pill bottle with a 12V bulb in it

)I am just sharing this information as a public service to the readers of THT, and I chosePC rated lights for maximum visibility of each light.

tarnold · 08-28-2008, 02:23 PM

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DisplayCategory_10551_10001_131303_14340_-1_14297|14337|14340

yellowdogblues · 08-28-2008, 02:37 PM

Overtons has lights that mount to the top of your guide posts.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/prod...ID=1009&r=view

Greg Manning · 08-28-2008, 02:44 PM

What light is there to use attached to the boat? Not complaining but that seems silly.

offshore3144 · 08-28-2008, 02:51 PM

Greg We are going to have to be creative on that one!! I have a few ideas I will post when I get a chance....Mark

BOB2205 · 08-28-2008, 03:47 PM

Boat trailer 104 1/2", boat 100". Lights on just the trailer or both?

fostj10 · 08-28-2008, 03:50 PM

I did a search last night and found some that were 360 degrees that they stick in the construction cones. I thought about just sticking them in my rod holders.

offshore3144 · 08-28-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

BOB2205 - 8/28/2008 5:47 PM

Boat trailer 104 1/2", boat 100". Lights on just the trailer or both?

Just trailer....

offshore3144 · 08-28-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

fostj10 - 8/28/2008 5:50 PM

I did a search last night and found some that were 360 degrees that they stick in the construction cones. I thought about just sticking them in my rod holders.

How about a link!!

ScottK · 08-28-2008, 04:00 PM

I was going to say rod holders too. That way they are easily removable. Silly but it would work. Maybe snaps if your boat is rigged for a cover.

vettnman · 08-28-2008, 04:27 PM

I was going to ask about the lights on the boat myself. So, let's see. Boat 102", trailer 102" . = no lights. Is this correct? If I put my guides back on, I'll have to put lights on the guides. The only reason I would put the guides back on is because my boat looks like it's well over 102" , and I don't feel like arguing that point with the SHP.

DogTired · 08-28-2008, 06:40 PM

The bill also states the lights have to be "operable". It says nothing about when you have to have them iluminated or which directions or angle(s) they have to be viewable from.

I thought DOT standards implied that amber colored lights could not be clearly viewable from the rear of a vehicle, except if illuminated during braking.

NCHP is probably going bannanas trying to figure this out also. I'd bet they will figure it out before the public does and the ticket book will be used again on some poor unsuspecting person that has already spent a hundred bucks ipgrading lights in trying to comply, but did it the wrong way.

Great new law. But please describe to Joe Public exactly what is required to comply with the lighting requirement.

PLEASE!

JB2C · 08-28-2008, 06:49 PM

Seems like OC described it pretty well above. But list if you have specific questions and we'll do our best to answer. I think all of us are trying to figure out exactly what we're supposed to be doing!

JB