Comparing Pedestal Mount and Surface Mount Trailer Lights

Updated 09/26/2019 | Published 09/25/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Optronics Single Face Trailer Tail Light - Stop, Turn, Tail - Round - Red Lens

(120)

$14.18

Optronics LED Trailer Light w/ Reflex Reflector - Brake, Tail, Turn - Submersible - Round - Red

(142)

$20.16

Question:

I am mounting new lights on a light-bar that sits on the transom of my boat. A ground wire runs from the connector on the car all the way to the light-bar. Does it make more sense for me to buy pedestal or surface mount lights? I can see that surface mount lights use the bolts to ground the circuits, so I guess I would need to connect the ground wire to one of those bolts on each light. I can see the pedestal mount lights have a short wire coming out of the light to be grounded. I guess would need to connect that wire with a butt connector to the ground wire. Do I have that right? Which style of light makes more sense in my situation? Thanks.

asked by: Nabeel A

Expert Reply:

The majority of pedestal mount lights like the Optronics Round Trailer Tail Light part # ST51RB ground though the mounting hardware and the majority of surface mount lights like Optronics Round Trailer Tail Light part # STL43RBX ground with a single wire. That said, there are pedestal mount lights that ground with a single ground wire and surface mount lights that ground through the mounting hardware.

The best one for you will really just be preference as there is not really a standard ground for each type as you alluded to. If you will be using a surface or pedestal light that ground though the hardware on a non-metal surface then you will indeed need to run a separate ground wire from the mounting bolt. I have attached a list of our trailer tail lights for you to choose from.

expert reply by: Conner L