How Can I Install Trailer Identification Lights With Little Clearance

Updated 09/08/2016 | Published 09/07/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Identification Light Kit for Trailers over 80" Wide - Submersible - 3 LEDs - Red

(809)

$43.24

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5

(1175)

$8.80

Uni-Lite LED Clearance and Side Marker Light w Grommet - Submersible - 2 Diodes - Red Lens

(837)

$6.50

Question:

I only have 1inch of clearance below the hinges on my landscape trailer, so a regular identification light bar will not work most are 1.5inch tall. Considering these bullet lights instead but I am confused. I see in the QA section that making these lights work with brake lights requires a separate converter? Is that right? If I am only interested in using them as identification lights without making them shine brighter with the brakes, do I just not hook up one of the wires? Or should I be looking instead for a bullet light with only 2 wires? Finally, what do the special ends connect to? Can I wire this into regular trailer wire or do these require a special adapter?

asked by: Chip L

Expert Reply:

The 3 LED Identification Light Kit for Trailers # MCL22RK3B have a 3 wire connection. This is because they are intended to be used as running lights and to light up brighter as brake lights. Because trailers use combined wiring, meaning the brake and turn signals are on the same circuit, if the wires are connected as brake lights, they will work as turns signals as well. Avoiding this is when you would need a 2-to-3 converter.

Another option, in case the ultra thin bar is cutting it too close, is to use multiple Uni-Lite LED Clearance and Side Marker Lights # MCL11RKB. These are very similar to the 3 light kit you referenced except it's only one light and it uses a 2 wire connection. These would each need to be hardwired into the trailer wiring but there would be no need for the converter.

For the hardwiring you could use Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connectors # DW05744-5. This will give you a nice secure connection with your wires.

expert reply by: Charles S