Trailer Lighting Made Simple: Regulations, Types, Installation & Maintenance Tips

Trailer lighting is essential to ensure road safety, especially while driving at night or in poor weather conditions. Proper lights outside the trailer make it visible to other drivers and pedestrians on the road, preventing accidents and ensuring safety.

Trailer lights also enable compliance with US motor vehicle safety standards . This law covers lamps, reflective devices, headlighting systems, and other associated equipment used for lighting in commercial and passenger vehicles. In addition to compliance with this federal law, adherence to state-specific laws that mention additional specifications or conditions where federal standards do not apply is also essential.

If you buy custom cargo trailers from Trailershowroom.com , you do not have to worry about the lighting compliance and safety requirements. Our high-quality trailers have compliant lighting systems that ensure proper visibility and safety. We also offer custom lighting systems to brighten the trailer interiors per your requirements.

This blog explores trailer lighting regulations in the US at the federal and state levels. It also helps improve your understanding of the different types of trailer lights with their applications, installation and maintenance tips, and choosing the right ones for your trailer.

Let's brighten up your day with this knowledgeable guide on trailer lighting.

Understanding Trailer Lighting Regulations

1. Why Trailer Lighting Compliance is Crucial

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 108) is the law governing trailer lighting practices in the US. Accordingly, your trailer lights must have the required illumination and quality, leading to proper visibility. These lights enable knowledge of the presence of a trailer at night or in extreme weather conditions from 500 feet, which helps prevent accidents caused due to bad visibility, reducing road accident-related deaths and injuries.

By keeping your lighting systems and reflective devices in line with these standards, you save yourself from penalties related to non-compliance and legal complications. Law compliance is also a way to show professionalism, ethical practices, and business credibility. For these reasons, trailer lighting compliance is crucial.

2. Federal & State Lighting Requirements

FMVSS 108 lays rules for motor vehicles' mandatory compliance with lighting systems and reflective devices' requirements. These lights and devices must have proper illumination, color, and visibility levels to prevent vehicular accidents. These systems must follow the performance and photometric requirements as stated in the Standard.

According to FMVSS 108, tail, brake, license plate, turn signals, and reflector lights are compulsory in a trailer. They must also have side marker lights for length visibility and clearance lights for width and height visibility. All these lights must be visible from 500 feet.

A trailer's length, width, and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) determine the types of lights a trailer needs. Standards also exist for their location and position. These lights must be permanent and easily visible from far away without blockages due to other trailer parts.

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) also makes it compulsory for trailers 30 feet long , 80 inches or more wide, and GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs to have conspicuity treatments. This includes white or white and red reflective strips (or reflectors) on specific trailer parts.

Generally, trailer lighting regulations of states overlap federal laws or add minor points to them. The types of trailer lights, their positions, trailers carrying hazardous substances, or lighting colors may vary in the case of a few states. You must follow both the federal law and state-specific rules if your origin, destination, and transit are through different states.

3. How Trailershowroom.com Ensures Compliance

Trailershowroom.com works with values of legal and ethical compliance. Our standard trailers comply with DOT-specific lighting regulations. Our custom cargo trailers also have DOT-approved lighting systems, along with lighting for your specific needs. These lights and reflectors add an extra layer of safety for your transit operation.

Types of Trailer Lights & Their Functions

Essential Trailer Lights

• Tail Lights - They are attached at the back of the trailer to show your presence on the roads at night.
• Brake Lights - Also known as stop lights, these are also on the back of the trailer to signal other drivers that your brakes have been applied.
• Turn Signals - When you have to take turns or change directions, you must switch these lights on.
• Reflectors - Reflectors are present on the sides and back of the trailer to make it visible to other vehicles and drivers on the road. Pedestrians, runners, and cyclists benefit from these reflectors to see the trailer.
• License Plate Lights - These lights illuminate your vehicle's license plate, enabling traffic police to ensure only licensed vehicles run on the roads

Additional Safety Lighting Upgrades

Besides the law-specific essential trailer lights, you can also install additional lights for convenience, safety, and security.

1. LED vs. Incandescent Lights

It is better to have LED lights because they consume less power, last longer, and offer enhanced brightness. Their energy efficiency makes them better than incandescent lights. TrailerShowroom.com offers such LED upgrades to your trailers, depending on your requirements.

2. Interior Cargo Lighting

You need lights inside the trailer when you need to load or unload cargo at night or do sudden repair work. These lights help you maintain cargo safety and proper brightness for manual technical or cleaning work in the trailer.

3. Backup Lights & Strobe Lights

When backing your vehicle or parking, you need proper lights to warn other drivers or pedestrians on the road for your and their safety. Extreme weather conditions, like incessant rains or extreme snowfall, also call for strobe lights to show your presence on the roads.

How to Choose the Right Trailer Lights

Step 1: Consider Your Trailer Type

The first step is to consider the trailer you have or are about to buy. Whether cargo, enclosed, utility, heavy-duty, or any other trailer, it helps you decide the location of light installation and the kind of lights. You can know the mandatory lighting requirements based on the trailer's length, width, and GVWR.

Step 2: Check Legal Requirements in your State

Now, consider the federal and state-level lighting standards. You don't want to violate traffic laws, so following all the legal requirements is better.

Step 3: Decide Between LED vs. Incandescent

Carefully consider whether you want LED or incandescent lights. If you want cheaper lights, incandescent lights are the option, but they aren't energy-efficient and durable. LED lights consume less energy and last longer, but you have to be ready to pay slightly higher prices.

Step 4: Look for Weatherproof & Durable Options

While scouting for trailer lighting options, consider brands that last longer so you don't have to spend on frequent replacements or repairs. Moreover, consider the weather conditions you will be transporting in. Buy weatherproof lights for better durability if your trailer has to run in extreme snowfall or rainfall. The lights must also be shock-resistant to avoid impact on them when driving on rough terrains and rugged roads.

Step 5: Look into TrailerShowroom.com's Selection

TrailerShowroom.com offers several premium lighting options in its trailers. We install lights in our trailers in compliance with the federal and state-specific lighting laws for motor vehicles. You do not have to worry about compliance, maintenance, and replacements once you buy your trailers from us.

Trailer Lighting Installation & Maintenance Tips

Installing Trailer Lights - Step-by-Step Guide

Wiring Basics

The location of the light and the connecting point to the switchboard are important considerations in installing trailer lights. Protection of the entire wiring from extreme weather impact and abrasion during the journey is also essential.

Proper Grounding

A solid electrical ground is essential before installing the lights to keep the connection safe. Ensure proper wire connection between the fixture and the grounding terminal on the electrical box.

Using a Trailer Light Tester

Before starting any towing operation, you must check the connection and light functionality. If any of the lights are not functioning, you can change them. But if the connection is not insulated, properly connected, or secured, it can lead to outright failure. Using a tester to check the trailer lights' functioning is necessary. If you don't have a job specific tester, just hook the trailer up to your tow vehicle and connect the light / brake cable. Then walk around the trailer insuring that all running lights, brake lights, and turn signals function correctly.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting Common Issues

Burnt-out Bulbs & Flickering Issues

You must check out the bulbs and LED lights regularly. See if they are working properly; if not, replace them with new ones. If they are flickering, determine the reason and correct it.

Corrosion & Wiring Problems

Check for any corrosion or wiring problems arising due to the wiring's exposure to extreme weather conditions. You must seal the wiring system with proper high-quality weatherproofing materials, wherever necessary, to prevent damage due to moisture or dirt.

Testing Your Lights Before Each Trip

Before and after every trip for your cargo transportation, test your lights. Check if the connections are safe and secure from weather conditions, damage, and abrasions. Moreover, you must also ensure that you comply with the mandatory federal and state lighting requirements.

Why Buy Trailers with Pre-Installed Lighting from Trailershowroom.com?

TrailerShowroom.com is a leading custom cargo trailer provider in the US. We have provided high-quality trailers for diverse uses to various businesses and individuals. You can easily find the best customized trailers with all the necessary features and capabilities to meet your goals. You should choose us for trailer purchase because:

• We provide trailers with lighting standards in compliance with DoT requirements to prevent any potential violation penalties.
• You can find several customization options in our trailer lighting services, such as LED upgrades, different colored interior lights, and extra reflectors for improved safety.
• Our team of specialists ensures proper end-to-end guidance and support to help you buy the best lighting setup for your trailer with high ROI.
• You will never be dissatisfied with our competitive prices. We also offer financing options to spread your trailer cost over a fixed duration.

Conclusion

Besides the mechanical features, storage arrangements, climate control capabilities, and aesthetic customizations, your trailers also need proper lighting. These lights ensure your vehicle is visible to other drivers and pedestrians, thereby avoiding accidents. Moreover, trailer lighting helps you comply with the federal and state motor safety lighting standards.

Lighting is one of the critical criteria when selecting a custom cargo trailer for your business. TrailerShowroom.com offers top-tier cargo trailers with fully compliant lighting setups. You can find the best quality lights that ensure you don't violate any laws and stay safe in your cargo transportation journeys.

Stay safe and compliant on the road with high-quality trailer lighting.

Explore our trailer collection at Trailershowroom.com and shop now!

FAQs

• Q1: What trailer lights are legally required?

  Ans: Trailers compulsorily must have tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, reflectors, and license plate lights.

• Q2: Are LED trailer lights better than incandescent?

  Ans: Yes! LED lights have better longevity and energy efficiency. Despite running on less power, these lights provide more brightness. Alternatively, incandescent bulbs consume more power and still run for a shorter duration.

• Q3: How often should I check my trailer lights?

  Ans: Before every trip, you must check your trailer lights to confirm if they are 100% functional and compliant with laws.

• Q4: Does TrailerShowroom.com offer LED trailer light upgrades?

  Ans: Yes! TrailerShowroom.com offers all kinds of upgrades and customizations to meet your requirements. If you wish to have LED lighting packages inside and outside the trailer, we can provide them. Our recommendations and custom configurations align with FMVSS 108 and other state laws that aim to improve visibility and safety.