Trailer lights

[RandyT]

I have a lot of problems with picking up rocks on gravel roads that break the side marker lights on my trailer. Had my new trailer three weeks, and already broke one. Only pulled it about 200 miles so far. My old trailer also had the same lights. Put all new lights on my old trailer last summer and broke all four of the lights in front of the fenders within five miles of home on a freshly oiled and chipped road.

Has anybody else had this problem, and what did you do to prevent it in the future.

 

[jeffsw6]

I saw a really nice Volvo truck today with push/deer bars on the front and screens that seemed to be for protecting his headlights from debris. Maybe you can do something like that for your marker lights.

Do you have mud flaps on your truck? If not maybe putting some on will stop you from throwing so many rocks up at your trailer?

 

[QRTRHRS]

You might find what you need if you do a search on "armored marker lights". Essentially, the metal bezal extends over the plastic lense more than regular lights to somewhat shield the lense.

 

[nue2farm]

I have been lucky so far. My trailer lights are behind the fenders and low to the ground. I have planned on flipping them and the liscense plate holder over to hopefully prevent damage.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have never had a issue either. Maybe a broken marker light every 5 years or so but who knows how it happens and a broken tail light when my dumb BIL backs it into the barn or hits it with the first piece of 2x4 we were picking up that day. Got 500 of them and he broke out he tail light with the first one.:confused2:

Chris

 

[Case485Guy]

I have a lot of problems with picking up rocks on gravel roads that break the side marker lights on my trailer. Had my new trailer three weeks, and already broke one. Only pulled it about 200 miles so far. My old trailer also had the same lights. Put all new lights on my old trailer last summer and broke all four of the lights in front of the fenders within five miles of home on a freshly oiled and chipped road.

Has anybody else had this problem, and what did you do to prevent it in the future.

Side marker lights? Whatever the case maybe, best thing to do if your having that much trouble is to have metal enclosed housings made or bought and welded on trailer. I make mine out of 2x4 rect. tube, flatbar welded on end to enclose.

 

[aczlan]

Are the rocks being kicked up by the trailer tires, or the truck tires? Seems like mudflaps might be in order. Be easier on the paint that way too.

Aaron Z

 

[bcp]

I don't think recessing the lights will protect them from flung stones. Maybe try 1/8 or 1/4 inch hardware cloth screening over them (which would be easier if they are recessed)

Bruce

 

[RandyT]

Are the rocks being kicked up by the trailer tires, or the truck tires? Seems like mudflaps might be in order. Be easier on the paint that way too.

Aaron Z

Its not only rocks picked up by my truck, but also the vehicles that you meet picking up the pea gravel that they use on the oil roads in my area. Once you get the stuff moving it bounces around like bb's. The loose rocks getting to rolling around just from the air flow off the vehicle similar to getting pushed sideways by a semi on the interstate then bounces everywhere.

 

[Iowachild]

I have a lot of problems with picking up rocks on gravel roads that break the side marker lights on my trailer. Had my new trailer three weeks, and already broke one. Only pulled it about 200 miles so far. My old trailer also had the same lights. Put all new lights on my old trailer last summer and broke all four of the lights in front of the fenders within five miles of home on a freshly oiled and chipped road.

Has anybody else had this problem, and what did you do to prevent it in the future.

YES! PennDOT tarred and chipped ~10 miles of road I travel on to reach my rural property late last summer and I broke one front marker lens and cracked another on my newly rebuilt trailer! :smiley_aafz:

 

[oldballs]

Randyt, sorry about your either "bad luck" or the trailer design. My equipment hauler has never had a broken light even though it's been used in a lot of quarries and decorative rock suppliers. Hauling many a ton with a canvas cover over the load on state highways and Interstates and county roads hasn't given me such bad luck. In fact, I was kinda hoping for a broken light so as to be replaced with one of those fancy new LED replacements. Mudflaps on my truck are in place. It looks like you need some kind of protective cover on your rig. Mike

 

[crazyal]

I usually swap out all the lights for the small round side markers and oval taillights that fit into the grommets. I've had the best luck with them.