Trailers and RVs are a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city. But what's a trailer or RV without lights? To make sure you and your passengers are safe and visible, you'll want to make sure your trailer is equipped with a great set of lights. This guide will help you find the best trailer light kit for your recreational vehicle or trailer. Whether you're looking for a traditional light kit or a kit that has more accessories, we have a guide for you.
Importance of Trailer Lights
When it comes to towing a trailer, whether for recreational purposes or work, safety is paramount. A trailer light kit is not just a legal requirement in many countries; it's a crucial component that ensures other drivers are aware of your trailer's presence and intentions on the road. Without proper lighting, your trailer is like an invisible hazard, especially during night-time or in poor weather conditions.
The lights on your trailer provide necessary signals to other road users, including brake lights, turn signals, and tail lights. Ensuring these lights are fully operational is not just about avoiding fines or gaining permission to hit the road; it's about preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Choosing the Right Kit
Selecting the right trailer light kit involves considering several factors such as compatibility with your vehicle, the type of trailer you have, and the specific lighting requirements for your country. It's essential to choose a kit that meets or exceeds the legal standards set by your local transport authority. This often means checking the HTTP server of your country's transport department for regulations.
When shopping for a trailer light kit, you'll find a variety of options available at different price points. It's important to balance quality with price – opting for the cheapest option might save you money upfront but could cost more in the long run due to frequent replacements or failures.
Installation Essentials
Installing a trailer light kit can be a straightforward process, but it requires careful attention to detail. The first step is to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and components before you begin. This includes not only the lights themselves but also wiring, connectors, and mounting brackets.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to connect each light to the trailer's main wiring harness. Secure all wires and lights to the trailer to prevent damage while in transit. If you're not confident in your ability to install the kit correctly, it's wise to seek professional help to avoid any issues with access or functionality.
Maintenance and Care
Regular maintenance of your trailer light kit is essential to ensure it remains in good working order. This includes cleaning the lights to maintain visibility and checking the wiring for any signs of wear or damage. It's also a good idea to test the lights before each trip to ensure they are functioning correctly.
If you encounter any issues with your lights, address them immediately. Faulty trailer lights can lead to miscommunication with other drivers and potentially cause accidents. Keeping your trailer light kit in top condition is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
Legal Compliance
In most countries, having a fully functional trailer light kit is a legal requirement for any trailer on the road. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, and more importantly, it can put you and other road users at risk. Always check the legal requirements for trailer lights in your country and ensure your kit meets those standards.
Remember that legal compliance is not just about having the lights installed; they must be in proper working order at all times. Regular checks and maintenance are necessary to ensure that you have permission to operate your trailer on public roads.
Summary
A trailer light kit is an essential component for any recreational vehicle or trailer, ensuring safety and legal compliance. Choosing the right kit requires consideration of compatibility, legal requirements, and price. Installation should be done with care, and regular maintenance is crucial for long-lasting performance. Always adhere to your country's legal standards to ensure you have the necessary permission to operate your trailer safely on the road.
Need help? We've done the research for you and found the Best Trailer Light Kit on Amazon. Every day, we read hundreds of reviews and try the highest-rated products we have on our list.
Best Trailer Light Kit
The Best
Product information
When it comes to visibility and safety, more is better. With a total of 36 powerful LEDs, an internal chrome reflector to maximize light output and high visibility reflective lenses, these trailer lights don't settle for less.
Built with epoxy-encased electronics and a sonically sealed body to prevent water intrusion, our lights have earned their DOT certification and IP67 rating.
Our lights combine turn signals, brake lights, tail lights, a license plate light, front and rear side marker lights, and reflectors, into one kit, to conform to the trailer lighting requirements of DOT FMVSS-108 for trailers over 80" wide.
Looking for wiring to finish your installation? It's included. How about a license plate bracket? Also included. Wiring clips, terminals? Yup, included. A trailer to put the lights on? OK, so we included almost everything you need.
We also included a few features to make your life a bit easier. Like two separate wiring exit points on the back of the light so you can adjust the installation to fit your needs.
A great trailer lighting kit that can replace and improve your old setup.
Some customers reported missing and damaged parts. Not waterproof. The wiring should be longer.
Our Thoughts - We picked this kit as the best because it's the best. It provides a solid set of lights.
Good Value
Product information
This trailer light kit is specifically designed for trailers measuring under 80 inches. It offers a comprehensive lighting solution, including stop, tail, and turn signal lights. The kit also comes with two amber clearance lights, ensuring maximum visibility and safety on the road. Additionally, it includes a wiring harness, making installation a breeze.
The kit features a 25-foot split y-style harness and 4-foot 4-pole color-coded copper wires, ensuring ease of use and installation. The large 4.5-inch X 5-inch lenses provide optimal visibility, enhancing safety during your journeys. Furthermore, the kit goes beyond just basic lighting needs and includes a license plate light and bracket. This makes it an all-inclusive package, meeting all your trailer lighting requirements.
The lights are fine. No issues with installation.
Not waterproof. The wires are cheap and could be longer.
Our Thoughts - This kit will give you all the essential parts you need. Can be used on a variety of trailers.
Good Value
Product information
This trailer lighting kit is a comprehensive solution for all your trailer lighting needs. It includes stop, tail, and turn signal lights, along with two amber clearance lights for enhanced visibility. A wiring harness is also part of the package, ensuring a seamless installation process. This product falls under the category of Lighting and Electrical, offering a robust solution for trailers' lighting requirements.
The kit features high-visibility LED taillights, which are known to outlast standard incandescent lights. This ensures long-lasting performance, reducing the need for frequent replacements. The side lenses in this kit come with a standard bulb, providing sufficient illumination. Additionally, the kit complies with DOT standards, making it a reliable choice for your trailer.
Built with durability in mind, the kit's housing is corrosion-resistant, ensuring it can withstand harsh conditions. This makes it suitable for trailers less than 80 inches wide. To ensure easy installation, the kit includes a 23-foot wiring harness with UV-coated jackets, protecting the wires from potential damage caused by exposure to sunlight. With this kit, you get a combination of durability, compliance with standards, and high visibility.
The lights are good, bright, and efficient at an affordable price.
Some customers reported that the cables are substandard and too short for longer trailers. The lights are not waterproof. The amber side lights are not LEDs.
Our Thoughts - This is a fairly good trailer light kit for the money. A few niggly issues mainly caused by the packaging and sipping make it regular.
Good
Product information
This trailer light kit provides everything necessary to set up a robust and reliable lighting system for your trailer. The kit includes 12V LED tail and turn signal lights, two amber clearance lights, a license plate bracket, wires, a wiring harness, and stainless steel hardware for easy fastening. All these components are constructed from corrosion-resistant materials, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance.
The kit's hardware, including a 22 ft. split Y-style color-coded harness, is corrosion-resistant, proving its resilience and longevity. These heavy-duty trailer lights are fully operable even in inclement weather conditions, showcasing their toughness and adaptability. With this kit, you get a durable solution that promises long-term use.
Safety is another hallmark of this trailer light kit. The lights are compliant with DOT FMVSS108 standards, ensuring federal compliance for visibility, durability, and reliability. This compliance secures safety and reduces the risk of liability in the event of property damage or personal injury. With these DOT-compliant lights, you can be assured of enhanced safety on the road.
These special LED trailer lights are versatile and suitable for trailers under 80 inches wide. They are designed to fit trailers of all shapes and sizes, whether they're for boats, RVs, jet ski trailers, or utility trailers under 80 ft in width. With this kit, you get a perfect lighting solution that adapts to your specific needs.
The product itself is fine but other small issues put it under the standard. Fairly easy to fit on the trailer.
Some customers reported that they received used kits. Others had missing parts in the kit. Instructions could be better.
Our Thoughts - Packaging and shipping need to improve. These lights may be DOT certified but the process that follows is bad. We can't understand why Amazon allows this type of bad packaging and shipping standard in their business.
Good
Product information
The trailer tail light kits come fully equipped with everything you need for a safe and efficient lighting system. The package includes two distinctive stop-turn LED tail lights, featuring a unique halo glow and solid light pattern design that sets them apart from other market offerings. Also included are two amber clearance lights, a 25-foot wiring harness with a 4-flat plug, a license plate bracket, and four complimentary reflective stickers for added visibility.
One standout feature of these LED trailer lights is their robust construction. There are no screws on the lampshade as the lights are fully welded together. The circuit board of the tail light is sealed, and a drain hole is strategically designed to expel any water, ensuring that water will not damage the diodes or circuit board. This excellent sealing provides superior waterproofing and submersibility. For optimal performance, it's recommended to install the trailer taillights with the drain hole facing downwards.
The utility trailer light kit also boasts a lampshade made from corrosion-resistant ABS material, complying 100% with DOT-approved standards. This ensures the lights meet the highest safety and quality regulations. The 25ft wiring harness is more durable than traditional copper-coated aluminum wires and comes with a split Y-style color-coded harness for easy installation.
These trailer lights are versatile and can be used on 80-inch width tractors, including trucks, trailers, boats, buses, lorries, vans, caravans, and snowmobiles. Ensure the correct wire connection and check for any electronic shorts before submerging underwater. With this kit, you're investing in durability, safety, and wide applicability, enhancing your driving experience.
The lights are bright and easy to install.
Customers reported that some parts missing from the kit. Cables could be longer. Not waterproof.
Our Thoughts - Overall this is a good product with only a few niggly issues that makes it not perfect.
Good boats
Product information
4.56" long x 3.78" tall x 2.63" deep; trailer light kit with 2 stud mount waterproof LED tail lights, corrosion-resistant license-plate bracket, 25ft wiring harness(one 21.98 feet and one 3.93 feet wiring harness), stainless steel mounting hardware, 2pcs amber clearance lights, and 4pcs reflective sticker. 2-stud mount on 2" centers;
2 Clear/Red, waterproof, stud-mounted LED trailer tail lights for less than 80" trailers tractors truck boats snowmobiles, esp. ideal for jet ski trailer lights. Square trailer light serves 7 functions: Stop light, Turn signal light, and tail light. Rear reflex reflector, Side marker light, Side reflex reflector, License plate illuminator(only for LH Side/Driver Side).
For this Red submersible LED trailer light kit, the right light has 16 LEDs (12 faces, 4 sides); the left/streetside light has 21 LEDs (12 faces, 4 sides, 5 bottoms). These trailer tail lights have no screws on the lamp shade, the LED trailer lights are completely welded together, and the circuit board of the tail light is sealed. excellent tightness makes it definitely IP67 waterproof and submersible. Of course, you can also put the clear epoxy around it for a guarantee
These work as they should. Great price for what it is.
Not waterproof, must use silicon sealant on all joints. Some customers reported missing items in the kit.
Our Thoughts - No reports about bad customer service. All around is a good kit that will do the job.
FAQ Section
Is it difficult to install a trailer light kit?
Installation difficulty can vary based on the kit and your experience. However, most kits come with instructions, and there are numerous guides available. If you're not confident, it's best to seek professional installation.
How often should I check my trailer lights?
It's recommended to check your trailer lights before each trip to ensure they are functioning correctly. Regular maintenance checks are also advised.
Where can I buy a trailer light kit?
Trailer light kits can be purchased at automotive shops, specialty trailer stores, or online. Compare options and prices to find the best kit for your needs.
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